Positive Wildlife News 2022

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I know that this story is from February of 2021, but it is still worthy of sharing here.

Virginia Passes Second Bill to Protect Wildlife Corridors

The Virginia General Assembly yesterday passed critical legislation to protect wildlife corridors and help keep drivers safer. This bill, SB 1274, builds on the wildlife corridor legislation that passed last year, creating a comprehensive program to identify wildlife corridors, protect motorists from collisions with animals, and address barriers to wildlife movement.

The bill passed with strong bipartisan support.

Virginia Passes Second Bill to Protect Wildlife Corridors — Wildlands Network
 
Swath of boreal forest twice the size of Toronto to be protected in northern Ontario

The largest private land conservation project in Canadian history is unfolding in northern Ontario.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada spent the last year negotiating the purchase of 1,450 square kilometres of the boreal forest near Hearst, Ont., from pulp and paper giant Domtar.

The company hasn’t logged in the area for more than a decade and began working with Nature Conservancy in January 2021 to make a deal for the land.

Swath of boreal forest twice the size of Toronto to be protected in northern Ontario
 
A brighter future for the critically endangered Sociable Lapwing: Important stop-over site receives further protection

The Talimarzhan reservoir in Uzbekistan is a vital area for over 26% of the global population of the Critically Endangered Sociable Lapwing (Vanellus gregarius) during its autumn migration, our Uzbek Partner UzSPB has discovered.

For years, UzSPB has been fighting hard to strengthen the protection of this bird species as well as the Talimarzhan reservoir, an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) in the Southeast of the country. In 2021, the victory: a brand-new protected area will make the Sociable Lapwings life a little easier.

“Uzbekistan is famous for its hospitality and respect for guests. For UzSPB, Critically Endangered Sociable Lapwing is a VIP guest in the Kashkadarya region at the Talimarzhan reservoir.”

– Oleg Kashkarov, UzSPB

Important stop-over site of Sociable Lapwing receives further protection - Birdlife Europe & Central Asia
 
Endangered Hawaiian monk seal population highest in two decades

The population of endangered Hawaiian monk seals has surpassed a level not seen in more than two decades, according to federal officials.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials this week said that the seal population has steadily increased over the last two years.

Officials estimated the population has grown by more than 100 from 2019-21, bringing the total from 1,435 to 1,570 seals. Monk seals live only in Hawaii, including the uninhabited Northwestern Hawaiian Islands where most of the animals are found.

The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are all within Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, the largest protected marine area in the United States and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

https://www-latimes-com.cdn.ampproj...hawaiian-monk-seal-population-rises?_amp=true
 
Tasmania goes into carbon negative, with researchers saying native forests must be preserved

Tasmania has become one of the first parts of the world to become not just carbon neutral but carbon negative by reducing logging, researchers say.

Key points:
  • Researchers say a "significant drop in native forest logging" around 2011 began a downturn in carbon emissions
  • A forestry industry group credits Tasmania being carbon negative as largely due to Tasmania's "responsible forest management"
  • The logging of Tasmania's forests has long been a highly divisive issue, with the current Liberal government aiming to restart the industry
Scientists from the Australian National University (ANU) and Griffith University "drilled into" the national greenhouse gas inventory and looked at each state's contribution.

They saw Tasmania had made a "remarkable achievement".

"Tasmania has gone from being the emitter of carbon dioxide to now removing more than it is emitting to the atmosphere," Griffith University researcher Brendan Mackey said.

"The mitigation benefit is about 22 million tons of carbon dioxide a year."

Professor David Lindenmayer from the ANU said "we hear a lot about carbon neutral but not carbon negative".

"This is one of the first times on the planet that anybody has ever done this kind of reversal," he said.

https://amp-abc-net-au.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/amp.abc.net.au/article/101032008
 
Shell of a comeback: New app, awareness campaigns bring hope for hawksbill turtles
  • Hawksbill turtles are due for a status assessment on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
  • One of the largest threats to global hawksbill recovery is the continued illegal tortoiseshell trade in Japan, a major consumer, and Indonesia, a top exporter.
  • Conservation successes include a dramatic decrease in tortoiseshell sales in Colombia, previously one of the largest shell sellers in the Western Hemisphere.
New conservation efforts for critically endangered hawksbill sea turtles are starting to make a difference in the status of global hawksbill populations, although the continued illegal trade of tortoiseshell in Japan and Indonesia still threatens the species, according to experts working globally to curb the international sea turtle trade.

Hawksbills (Eretmochelys imbricata) are found in tropical and subtropical waters in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans. Their preferred habitats are coral reefs, where sponges, a staple in hawksbill diet, are abundant. Hawksbills are important to the coral reef ecosystem because sponges can overgrow and suffocate reefs. Other hawksbill habitats include shallow coastal zones, lagoons, and mangrove estuaries. Many of these environments are at risk due to climate change, habitat destruction, beach development, and pollution.

Historically, one of the main drivers of population loss was the worldwide tortoiseshell trade. Tortoiseshell is a misnomer for hawksbill turtle shell, particularly the brown, gold, and amber-colored scutes, or bony scales, that make up the carapace (the upper shell) and plastron (the underside of the turtle).

https://news-mongabay-com.cdn.amppr...mpaigns-bring-hope-for-hawksbill-turtles/amp/
 
Bringing the tūī back to town – how native birds are returning to New Zealand’s restored urban forests

Urbanisation, and the destruction of habitat it entails, is a major threat to native bird populations. But as our new research shows, restored urban forests can return native birds to our cities and improve species richness.

We define restored urban forests as green areas within a city, dominated by native vegetation that has been planted intentionally. To evaluate restoration success, we tracked changes in native bird communities in 25 restored forests in two of New Zealand’s cities, Hamilton and New Plymouth.

The forests we used in our study ranged widely in their ages, including one where initial restoration efforts began 72 years ago. We also compared these restored forests to remnant patches of native, mature forest – both within and beyond the city – that had never been clear-felled.

Our findings show older restored forests support more species of native birds, and some are close to the species richness of untouched remnants of native forest. The abundance of birds increased as the forest canopy became denser.

Contrary to our initial predictions, introduced invasive mammals had no significant effect on either species richness or abundance of native birds in urban forests.

Bringing the tūī back to town – how native birds are returning to NZ’s restored urban forests
 
Costa Rica Increases Protection of its Ecosystems by Over 16 million Hectares

According to the Ministry of Environment and Energy, Costa Rica has increased, in the last two years, the protection of its ecosystems by a total of 16,118,476 hectares.

The expansion of protected areas is part of the various actions undertaken by the country in the fight against climate change, including the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People – led by Costa Rica, France and the United Kingdom – whose goal is to conserve 30% of the land and marine area by 2030.

Costa Rica has expanded its protection in several Conservation Areas and has also created new ones.

Costa Rica Increases Protection of its Ecosystems by Over 16 million Hectares
 
Lord Howe Island's biodiversity recovering thanks to rodent control

The recovery of one of Australia's rarest birds is on track thanks to a rodent control program developed to protect the unique wildlife on World Heritage listed Lord Howe Island.

Minister for Environment James Griffin said the population of endangered Lord Howe Island Woodhens has almost tripled to about 565 since the rodent control was implemented on the in 2019.

Lord Howe Island's biodiversity recovering thanks to rodent control
 
Oregon Governor Kate Brown Signs Critical Wildlife Corridor Legislation Into Law

Oregon has the West Coast’s highest rate of vehicle-wildlife collisions, but road trips could soon be safer for both people and animals, thanks to new legislation signed by Gov. Kate Brown today. The bipartisan Oregon “Wildlife Corridors Bill” aims to reduce collisions by mapping the state’s major wildlife corridors and creating a plan to protect them.

Many species, from elk to butterflies, rely on migratory paths to find food, mates and seasonal habitat. Artificial barriers such as roads, housing developments and fences can block or alter these corridors, with deadly consequences for wildlife and people. Presently, wildlife agencies lack migration data to address these threats to humans, wildlife and the habitats we depend on.

Oregon Governor Kate Brown Signs Critical Wildlife Corridor Legislation Into Law — Wildlands Network
 
Greater one-horned rhinos on the rise!

Over the past month, officials in several of India’s national parks have been conducting a rhino census to confirm the country’s total number of Greater one-horned rhinos. So far, the census has brought good news! Since the last counts, which took place in 2018 and 2019, rhinos have increased in four key areas: Kaziranga National Park, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Jaldapara National Park, and Orang National Park. One more place, Manas National Park, has not yet released census results, but recent calf sightings indicate a positive trend for the Park’s rhino population.

Greater one-horned rhinos on the rise | News | Save the Rhino
 
Habitat of Threatened Canada Lynx to Be Expanded in U.S.
https://www.ecowatch.com/amp/u/cristenhj
With snowshoe paws, dignified faces and ears tipped with black tufts of fur, the Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) looks like a creature out of a fairy tale. Lynx bear similarities to bobcats, but bobcats have smaller feet and legs and shorter ear tufts, according to Defenders of Wildlife.

The Canada lynx inhabits the snowy, northern forested regions of Alaska, across Canada, and from the Northeastern U.S. to the Rocky Mountains, where several hundred of the elusive creatures are estimated to roam. Due to the loss of much of its original habitat, this beautiful animal has been pushed farther and farther into the last remaining wilderness.

Redirecting
 
Military Macaw Nesting Season a Success for Defenders of Wildlife Program in Mexico

“These endangered birds face relentless pressure from poachers and habitat loss, so every military macaw represents hope and a stronger future for the species’ population in Mexico."

- Juan Carlos Cantu, Mexico Program, Defenders of Wildlife

Eleven military macaw fledglings have now joined the growing wild population after a successful nesting season for Defenders of Wildlife’s and Unidos por las Guacamayas’ military macaw project in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico.

Military Macaw Nesting Season a Success for Defenders of Wildlife Program in Mexico
 
Court Upholds Ventura County, California Ordinances to Safeguard Wildlife Connectivity

A Ventura County court upheld two county ordinances that increase protections for wildlife corridors. The two ordinances, No. 4537 and No. 4539 designate standards for development while requiring environmental reviews for projects that bay impact wildlife connectivity.

Court Upholds Ventura County Ordinances to Safeguard Wildlife Connectivity
 
World’s Biggest Wildlife Crossing Breaks Ground on Earth Day

A landmark Earth Day ceremony just took place to celebrate the start of construction on the historic Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in Southern California.

Spanning over ten lanes of the 101 freeway in the Los Angeles area, when complete the crossing will be the largest in the world, the first of its kind in California, and a global model for urban wildlife conservation.

“California’s diverse array of native species and ecosystems have earned the state recognition as a global biodiversity hotspot. In the face of extreme climate impacts, it’s more important than ever that we work together to protect our rich natural heritage” said said California Governor Gavin Newsom of the project. Stating that the crossing will enable mountain lions and other wildlife to roam safely, he described the crossing as “an inspiring example of the kind of collaborative efforts that will help us protect our common home for generations to come.”

World’s Biggest Wildlife Crossing Breaks Ground on Earth Day
 
South Dakota receives 454,977 to Improve Elk Habitat, Public Access, Outdoor Programs

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and its partners allocated $454,977 in 2021 grant funding to enhance wildlife habitat stewardship, expand public access and assist hunting heritage projects in South Dakota. RMEF directly granted $88,167 that leveraged an additional $366,810 in partner dollars.

“We appreciate our partners for helping us restore meadows, treat noxious weeds and improve aspen stands for elk and other wildlife,” said Blake Henning, RMEF chief conservation officer. “This funding also provides hunter access to nearly 40,000 acres of private land and helps a variety of recreational shooting, archery and other outdoor-related programs.”

There are 17 chapters and nearly 4,000 RMEF members in South Dakota.

“We salute our South Dakota volunteers. It’s thanks to their efforts we can put these funds back on the ground to do so much good,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO.

Since 1990, RMEF and its partners completed 393 conservation and hunting heritage outreach projects in South Dakota with a combined value of more than $41.2 million. These projects conserved and enhanced 120,433 acres of habitat and opened or improved public access to 11,472 acres.

Below are 11 projects, listed by county, that benefit 2,375 acres of habitat.

South Dakota Receives $454,977 to Improve Elk Habitat, Public Access, Outdoor Programs | Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
 
Ediegarrup

Established: 2022
Area: 1,067 ha
Location: 140km north-east of Albany
Traditional Owners: Noongar – Minang & Koreng people

Along with Glovers Flat Reserve in Tasmania and John Douglas Reserve in Victoria, Ediegarrup was established in 2022.

Ediegarrup shares a 200 metre boundary to the north-east of our Red Moort Reserve and connects it to other important undisturbed bushland areas including unallocated Crown Land, Chingarrup Sanctuary, (a partnership property) and Corackerup Creek.
While this land has been partially cleared and used to grow cereal crops and canola, as well as for sheep grazing, it fills an important need in our portfolio of conservation properties in the area: connectivity.

The reserve contains 300 hectares of remnant bushland that connects our, previously isolated, Red Moort Reserve to other undisturbed land. And the 600 odd hectares of cleared country gives us another opportunity to restore native habitat in the area – a feat we’ve demonstrated successfully on nearby Monjebup, Red Moort, Beringa and Chereninup Creek reserves.

Ediegarrup Nature Reserve (WA) - Bush Heritage Australia
 
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