Positive Wildlife News 2021

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First-ever record of rare Siamese crocodile breeding in Srepok in over a decade

It is with great excitement that the Ministry of Environment’s and WWF’s wildlife research team confirmed on September 9th, 2021 they discovered eight hatchlings of the critically endangered Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) following their regular field survey in the Srepok wilderness during the nesting and hatching seasons. The survey is part of a Siamese crocodile research program under the Ministry of Environment-led CAMPAS project funded by GEF-5/UNEP, and with the additional funding from WWF-Belgium.

First-ever record of rare Siamese crocodile breeding in Srepok in over a decade
 
Protection Of 11,700 Acres Expands Recreational Access At Skinner Mountain Wildlife Management Area

Conservation easement on private forest opens new lands for recreation, protects vulnerable wildlife habitat and supports local timber jobs

Fentress and Overton Counties, Tennessee. — The Conservation Fund, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry, and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency have announced the protection of 11,723 acres of ecologically important forestland, completing a multi-year effort to conserve more than 14,700 acres in the Cumberland Plateau. Located adjacent to the state’s Skinner Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA), the newly conserved property will remain privately owned and sustainably managed for timber production while preserving biodiverse habitat and allowing public access for hunting, hiking, and other recreational activities.

11,700 Acres Protected at Tennessee's Skinner Mountain WMA | The Conservation Fund
 
Rare Florida butterfly bounces back, offers lesson for saving other critters

It’s difficult and expensive to save a subspecies once it’s endangered.

We could all use a little good news this week, so here’s the rare environmental story that will make you pump your fist and shout, “Yeah!”

Earlier this month, during a visit to Gainesville, I took my kids to see the huge butterfly rainforest at the Florida Museum of Natural History. They were impressed.

Rare FL butterfly bounces back, offers lesson for saving other critters | Florida Phoenix
 
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WCS Thanks U.S. House of Representatives for Passing the National Defense Authorization Act with Key Amendments that Address Pandemic Prevention and Biosecurity and other Conservation Issues
  • House agrees that preventing future pandemics is important to US national security
  • Legislation includes the Global Pandemic Prevention and Biosecurity Act and key provisions of the Preventing Future Pandemics Act
  • Combating wildlife trafficking and protections for marine mammals also included in Act
WCS Thanks U.S. House of Representatives for Passing the National Defense Authorization Act with Key Amendments that Address Pandemic Prevention and Biosecurity and other Conservation Issues
 
They're spawning! Researchers celebrate the return of native lake trout to Lake Erie

A conservation milestone has been reached: Lake trout are reproducing in Lake Erie, where the native fish were considered extinct.

In May, biologists from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation found baby lake trout in waters near the Pennsylvania-New York border. The species was identified through genetic bar-coding, confirming the presence of naturally reproducing lake trout in the lake.

“Today marks a key milestone in the restoration of lake trout in Lake Erie after six decades of significant investments to improve water quality and habitat and promote sound fisheries management,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos in a statement Aug. 11. “This phenomenal Great Lakes story of recovery is a testament to the perseverance of the researchers and biologists from DEC and partner agencies who worked tirelessly to help restore this fishery.”

They're spawning! Researchers celebrate the return of native lake trout to Lake Erie
 
Activists cheer as India tigers make a roaring comeback

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Conservation experts in India have praised the country’s efforts in protecting tigers as figures show a rise in the population of big cats across reserves and forests.

The number of tigers in the wild has more than doubled in 12 years, rising from 1,411 in 2006 to 2,967 in 2018.

More than 100 per cent growth in the population was recorded across all country, from the Shivalik Gangetic rage in northern India to Kerala in the south.

And as the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has begun training officials and volunteers for the enumeration of tigers across the country due for 2022, there is optimism that the population will increase.

Activists cheer as India tigers make a roaring comeback - EasternEye
 
Maine's Beloved Wallamatogus Mountain Property Acquired by The Conservation Fund

The national nonprofit is working with Blue Hill Heritage Trust and Maine Coast Heritage Trust to pursue a permanent conservation solution for the land.

Today, The Conservation Fund announced its acquisition of the 336-acre Wallamatogus Mountain property in the Town of Penobscot at the request of Blue Hill Heritage Trust. This coastal mountain property, which resides in the original homeland of the Wabanaki people, has long been a conservation priority for the Blue Hill Peninsula community.

Maine's Beloved Wallamatogus Mountain Property Acquired | The Conservation Fund
 
A new UNESCO biosphere reserve has been announced. The Mura-Drava-Danube reserve covers almost one million hectares in the so-called 'Amazon of Europe', making it the largest riverine protected area on the continent. It is also the first ever UNESCO biosphere reserve to span five different countries (Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary and Serbia).

In terms of wildlife, the area is home to Europe's highest density of breeding white-tailed eagles as well as Eurasian otter, beaver, black stork, breeding little terns and critically endangered ship sturgeon.

An article about the reserve can be found below:
Newly announced biosphere reserve to span five countries - BirdGuides

There is also an official website about the area here:
News - Amazon of Europe
 
Ahead of UN climate conference, Seychelles pledges to protect all mangroves, seagrass by 2030

Seychelles has pledged to protect 100 percent of its mangroves and seagrass ecosystem and reduce greenhouse gas emission by 24 percent by 2030 in its climate action plan submitted ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow in November.

The climate change and environment ministry said in a press statement on Wednesday that Seychelles submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in July.

The NDCs are national climate plans highlighting climate actions and targets by governments to respond to climate change. They work on a five-year cycle.

Ahead of UN climate conference, Seychelles pledges to protect all mangroves, seagrass by 2030

 
Endangered eastern barred bandicoot rescued from the brink of extinction

An endangered marsupial considered extinct in the wild for three decades has become the first Australian species to have its conservation status changed
  • Eastern barred bandicoots remain an endangered species but are surviving in the wild
  • It's estimated around 1,500 bandicoots are living at protected sites and reserves around Victoria
  • Successful conservation efforts have allowed Zoos Victoria to end its 30-year captive breeding program
The eastern barred bandicoot remains on the endangered species list but new populations are thriving after successful breeding and release programs.

https://amp-abc-net-au.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/amp.abc.net.au/article/100462530
 
Snapshot of hatchlings raises hopes for Siamese crocs in northeast Cambodia
  • Researchers have found and photographed eight Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) hatchlings in northeastern Cambodia — the first confirmed evidence that the critically endangered species is breeding in this area.
  • The new breeding population significantly expands the known breeding range of the species in Cambodia; until now, most breeding was recorded around the Cardamom Mountains landscape in the southwest.
  • With fewer than 1,000 adults remaining in the wild globally, the species is on the brink of extinction; threats include habitat loss, hydropower schemes, poaching, and entanglement in fishing gear.
  • Wildlife experts say conservation measures, including community engagement, captive breeding and reintroduction programs, will help to ensure Siamese crocodiles’ long-term survival.
They say you should never smile at a crocodile. But that’s exactly what happened on Sept. 9 when a team of researchers discovered a group of eight Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) hatchlings in the Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary, a protected wetland landscape in northeastern Cambodia.

https://news-mongabay-com.cdn.amppr...-for-siamese-crocs-in-northeast-cambodia/amp/
 
Red Kite breeds in Cornwall for first time in 170 years

In recent years, Red Kite has become an increasingly familiar sight in Cornwall during the summer months. Settled mid-summer high-pressure systems bring large numbers of birds into the county, with more than 200 occasionally seen at bottleneck sites in Penwith and the Lizard peninsula. These birds filter south and west, sometimes gathering in large roosts before moving on. It's presumed that these birds are roaming non-breeding birds from 'up-country', but the occasional presence of Black Kites mixed in with these flocks may suggest some have a continental origin. It is also possible that these birds get caught up with the larger movement of birds, having arrived in the UK further east.

Red Kite breeds in Cornwall for first time in 170 years - BirdGuides
 
House Budget Bill Invests in Natural Infrastructure to Benefit Wildlife and People

The House of Representatives’ version of the Biden administration's $3.5 trillion “Build Back Better” Act was packaged together and passed by the House Budget Committee on Saturday and includes titles from both the Natural Resources and Agriculture Committees. These titles in the reconciliation bill contain badly needed investments in endangered species protections while also creating jobs to address the dual climate and biodiversity crises and Defenders of Wildlife is pleased to see the commitments made to wildlife and our nation’s natural infrastructure.

House Budget Bill Invests in Natural Infrastructure to Benefit Wildlife and People
 
Biden Administration Reverses Trump Rule That Gutted Migratory Bird Protections

In a critical win for wildlife, today the Biden administration announced it would be reversing a Trump administration rule that gutted protections for more than 1,000 species of migratory birds. In addition, the administration outlined its plans to develop a program that would protect migratory birds from incidental take while providing regulatory certainty for industry.

“The Trump administration’s rule was disastrous when it was enacted and it’s a huge relief to see it buried for good,” said Jamie Rappaport Clark, president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife. “We need the full protections of the MBTA at this crucial moment in time when so many bird populations are in peril. It’s a great day for bird lovers everywhere!”

Biden Administration Reverses Trump Rule That Gutted Migratory Bird Protections
 
Fredericton's Campbell Creek flows freely for the first time in a century

Dam removal will allow species such as Atlantic Salmon to return to the creek

For the first time in more than a century, Campbell Creek on Fredericton's north side is running freely.

Crews have worked since August to remove a 100-year-old dam from the creek, a tributary of the Nashwaak River, in the hopes of returning the waterway to its natural state.

"It was an incredibly gratifying thing to witness," said Natalie Deseta, project co-ordinator at the Nashwaak Watershed Association, one of the conservation groups working on the project.

Fredericton's Campbell Creek flows freely for the first time in a century
 
Press release: New Marine Protected Area the size of France announced after following seabirds to previously unknown biodiversity haven

On the 1st of October, a Marine Protected Area approximately the same size of France has been designated in the North Atlantic. Thanks to a collaborative study led by BirdLife International, this major seabird hotspot used by up to five million birds has been discovered.[1] The name of the area is NACES – the North Atlantic Current and Evlanov Seamount - Marine Protected Area.

Press release: New Marine Protected Area the size of France announced after following seabirds to previously unknown biodiversity haven
 
At-Risk Wildlife Habitat Protected in Arkansas

The addition of 6,525 acres to Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge will protect critical migratory bird habitat, enhance water quality and expand recreational opportunities in the state.

Today, The Conservation Fund and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced a significant milestone in their multi-year effort to add valuable ecological land to Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in southwest Arkansas. To date, a total of 6,525 acres have been transferred from The Conservation Fund to USFWS for permanent protection as part of the Refuge, where the land will support wildlife habitat for various species including migratory birds.

At-Risk Wildlife Habitat Protected in Arkansas | The Conservation Fund
 
50 Wetlands, 14,000 Farmers & 1 Hero: How Sarus Cranes Were Revived From the Brink

In 2012, wildlife conservationist Dr Samir Kumar Sinha learned that the sarus crane was facing multiple threats in eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh.

“The habitat of the non-migratory bird was shrinking, and the eggs were being destroyed or stolen even before they hatched. Similar information came from across 10 districts and 26 NGOs who were working closely with farmers to help them implement sustainable practices,” Dr Samir tells The Better India.

He says, “Sarus cranes usually build their nest on paddy farms. They use straws and grass from their surroundings to build shelter, which is usually about 2 meters in diameter. Farmers feared for their crops due to the birds’ presence, and began shooing them away. They were not doing this deliberately, but were unaware of the damage they were causing to the lives of the cranes.”

Dr Samir adds that the exact population of the bird in the area was unknown, and it was vital to understand their numbers if any conservation practices were to be implemented. The damage caused due to loss of eggs had also been undocumented, which made the species vulnerable.

50 Wetlands, 14K Farmers & 1 Hero: Sarus Cranes Revived From Brink
 
Western Sydney is getting a major new national park

The tourist destination will reintroduce extinct animals and be a feral-free zone

One of the biggest urban wildlife restoration projects in Australia’s history is coming to Western Sydney, and visitors will be able to see what the Australian bush was like over 200 years ago. Over 30 locally extinct species will make a historic return to the area, including quolls, bettongs, the brush-tailed phascogale, and the green and golden bell frog.

Western Sydney is getting a major new national park
 
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