Positive Wildlife News 2022

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Europe moves to protect deep-sea sites in Atlantic from bottom fishing
  • The European Commission recently announced that it will protect 16,000 square kilometers (6,200 square miles) of the deep sea — known as “vulnerable marine ecosystems” — in EU waters in the northeast Atlantic Ocean by prohibiting bottom fishing in these areas.
  • This move is a key component to the Deep-Sea Access Regulation, a plan adopted by the EC in 2016 to protect deep-sea environments in EU waters. However, the regulation stipulated that vulnerable marine ecosystems should be protected by 2018, so its implementation comes four years late.
  • The fishing sector has warned that this move will threaten the future of bottom fishing and impact more than 10,000 fishers.
  • Conservation experts have welcomed this announcement, despite its lateness, saying that such a move is essential in protecting fragile and ecologically important deep-sea environments.
BRUSSELS — On Sept. 15, the European Commission made a historic announcement: it will prohibit bottom fishing across 16,000 square kilometers, or 6,200 square miles — an area about half the size of Belgium — in waters controlled by the European Union in the northeast Atlantic Ocean. While some fisheries representatives have criticized the decision, saying it will lead to “devastating consequences” for the industry, conservation experts say it’s a necessary step to protect ecologically significant deep-sea environments.

The new rule will bar bottom fishing in 87 sites 400 meters (1,300 feet) and deeper — known as “vulnerable marine ecosystems” under EU and international law — in the exclusive economic zones of Ireland, France, Spain and Portugal. The ban will apply to fisheries that use trawling gear, bottom-set gill nets, bottom-set longlines, and pots and traps.

Conservation experts say many of these deep-sea sites harbor cold-water coral reefs, as well as aggregations of deep-sea sponges, sea pens and other important species.

https://news-mongabay-com.cdn.amppr...ea-sites-in-atlantic-from-bottom-fishing/amp/
 
These Sparrows Were On The Brink Of Extinction. Now Their Resilience Is Wowing Researchers

Three years ago the Florida grasshopper sparrow was on the brink of extinction.

Now the sparrow is rebounding, thanks to an emergency effort to breed the birds in captivity and release them on the central Florida prairie, the only place on Earth where they are found in the wild.

The Florida grasshopper sparrow is a drab-colored bird, no larger than the palm of your hand.

When the wildlife agencies in 2019 began releasing the sparrows on the prairie, after agonizing debate, no one knew whether the effort would be successful. The Florida grasshopper sparrow was North America’s most endangered bird, with around 80 left in the wild. Some feared releasing the birds would condemn them to extinction — the same fate as Florida’s dusky seaside sparrow, which died out in 1987.

These sparrows were on the brink of extinction. Now their resilience is wowing researchers
 
Plan to create vast British Columbia network of protected ocean opens to public

The marine protected area network would stretch from Campbell River on Vancouver Island to the Alaskan border. But first, it must pass a public engagement phase.

A plan to create a vast network of marine protected areas stretching from Vancouver Island to the Alaskan border inched closer to reality this Thursday after the governments of Canada, British Columbia and over a dozen First Nations released a draft plan to the public.

If enacted, the marine protected areas (MPAs) would protect nearly a third of the Northern Shelf Bioregion — a 100,000-square-kilometre tract of ocean also known as the Great Bear Sea.

Canada's first network of marine protected areas slated for BC - Tri-City News
 
Dr. Sheikh Sultan issues Emiri Decree to establish Al Hamriyah Mangroves Reserve

According to the provisions of Federal Law No. 24 of 1999, all species of organisms in the reserve, including birds and other animals that use the reserve as a resting, nesting, or settlement site, are protected.

Sharjah: H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has issued an Emiri Decree to establish the Al Hamriyah Mangroves Reserve in the Emirate of Sharjah.

Emiri Decree No. 53 of 2022 authorizes the Emirate to establish a natural reserve known as “Al Hamriyah Mangroves Reserve.”

Dr. Sheikh Sultan issues Emiri Decree to establish Al Hamriyah Mangroves Reserve
 
Wolves and brown bears among wildlife making ‘exciting’ comeback in Europe

Exclusive: report on species recovery shows how effective legal protection, habitat restoration and reintroductions can be.


Wolves, brown bears and white-tailed eagles are among the top predators making a comeback across Europe, according to a major report that looks at how some wildlife is rebounding.

Researchers analysed data on 50 wildlife species whose population size and geographical distribution have expanded over the past 40 years to show how effective legal protection, habitat restoration and reintroductions can drive species recovery.


https://amp-theguardian-com.cdn.amp...wildlife-make-exciting-comeback-in-europe-aoe
 
The Canada goose is the definition of a conservation success story

There are many signs of the changing of seasons from summer to fall, leaves turning colour, cooling temperatures. And one of the sure signs of autumn is the sky filled with migrating Canada geese.

But skies full of geese flying south for the winter wasn't always a familiar sight in the province. According to Adam Collicutt, a senior interpreter with Manitoba Parks, the Canada goose at one point in time was thought be extinct.

Thanks to the work of environmentalists like Alfred Hole, the Canada goose was removed from the endangered list and is now thriving.

The Alfred Hole Goose Sanctuary hosts about 50-100 geese each year that make the area their home, nest and have their goslings. That number increases during fall migration.

The Canada goose is the definition of a conservation success story
 
Aṉangu-Tjutaku becomes nationally protected Country

Australia's newest Indigenous Protection Area, Aṉangu-Tjutaku, is bigger than the size of Tasmania, covering 9.79 million hectares.

The Aṉangu-Tjutaku (Spinifex-Pilki-Untiri Pulka) is now Australia’s third biggest Indigenous Protected Area.

In an intimate ceremony, Aṉangu-Tjutaku Traditional Owners have signed a deal with the Australian Government to make their Country one of the newest and biggest Indigenous Protected Areas (IPA).

The Aṉangu-Tjutaku IPA is comprised of three Native Title Determinations- Spinifex, Pilki and Untiri Pulka. The Spinifex people were the first in Western Australia to receive Native Title in 2000.

Aṉangu-Tjutaku becomes nationally protected Country
 
Reintroduction of 20 lynxes starts in Thüringer Wald (Germany) in 2024

From spring 2024, 20 lynx are to be released into the wild in the Thuringian Forest. BUND Thüringen presented the plans on Tuesday at a meeting of lynx researchers from the European network "Eurolynx" in Eisenach. According to BUND country manager Sebastian König, the plan is to release the 20 animals piece by piece - two in 2024. Markus Port, project manager for lynxes at the Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz, said that animals from wildlife parks and from wild catches in the Carpathians are planned.

Source
 
Somerset floodplain plan 'will boost river's biodiversity'

Reconnecting a river to its original floodplain will create a healthier and more biodiverse area, says the National Trust.

The major restoration project is taking place on the River Aller in Somerset.

The National Trust is carrying out the work on its Holnicote Estate and says it is a UK first.

"We now have a tried-and-tested method to start reversing the damage done to our rivers," said project manager Ben Eardley.

A pilot project which took place in 2019 - called Stage 0 - is now being scaled up to cover 15 hectares of river and landscape.

Somerset floodplain plan 'will boost river's biodiversity'
 
Everything’s coming up rosewood – Seedling success rewards a decade of effort

Anyone even remotely connected with wildlife conservation knows that the race to reverse biodiversity loss is a marathon, not a sprint. But perseverance pays off in the end, as our long-standing partner in Belize has just demonstrated.

It is almost 25 years since Fauna & Flora International (FFI) began working with the embryonic Ya’axché Conservation Trust (now simply known as Ya’axché). That partnership has reaped rich rewards for Belizean biodiversity and for the communities whose livelihoods are inextricably linked with the wider landscape.

The latest success has been a long time in the making. After ten years of trying, Ya’axché have finally managed to collect viable seed and germinate seedlings from the critically endangered Honduran rosewood, Dalbergia stevensonii. This is a huge breakthrough, for reasons that will become clear, and vindicates the tireless efforts of everyone involved. The precious seedlings – all 330 of them – are due to be planted out within the Maya Mountain North Reserve this month.

https://www.fauna-flora.org/news/ev...campaign=organic|li|rosewood&utm_content=link
 
Back from the brink: Six species saved by ecosystem restoration

All around the world, on land and in the oceans, crashing populations of plants, animals and insects have sparked fears that planet Earth is entering its sixth mass extinction, with catastrophic consequences for both people and nature.

One million of the world’s estimated 8 million species are threatened with extinction. Ecosystem services essential for human wellbeing, including the provision of food and freshwater and protection from disasters and disease, are eroding in many places.

But hope is not lost. Under the umbrella of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, efforts are underway to revive battered terrestrial and marine habitats, from mountains and mangroves to forests and farmlands.

As well as supplying critical benefits for people, restored ecosystems are a refuge for many endangered species. Here are six threatened mammals, reptiles and birds stepping back from the brink of extinction with help from restoration.

Back from the brink: Six species saved by ecosystem restoration
 
Conservation: Explosion in frog numbers after mass pond digging

Switzerland has reversed the decline of more than half of endangered frogs, toads and newts in one region, research finds.

After conservationists dug hundreds of new ponds in the canton of Aargau, amphibian numbers significantly increased.

The European tree frog population in particular "exploded", scientists say.

Scientists hope this method could be used globally as pond building is simple and effective.

https://www-bbc-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-63206140.amp
 
New nature refuges for FNQ equal 4,000 Suncorp Stadiums: Scanlon

Two parcels of land in Queensland’s far north equal in size to 4,000 Suncorp Stadiums will be added to the state’s protected area network in an agreement struck between the Palaszczuk Government and South Endeavour Trust.

Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon announced new nature refuges, the Mount Gibson Nature Refuge and the Oakey Scrub Nature Refuge, would be established south-west of Cooktown as part of the state’s ongoing push to protect its great lifestyle.

New nature refuges for FNQ equal 4,000 Suncorp Stadiums: Scanlon I Australian Rural & Regional News
 
West Virginia officials embark on bobwhite quail restoration effort

West Virginia wildlife officials have embarked on an effort to restore the northern bobwhite quail population.

Gov. Jim Justice announced Wednesday that 12,000 bobwhite quail have been added at wildlife management areas across the state. The goal is to bring the numbers to 20,000, and the Division of Natural Resources will conduct more stockings through October. It's part of a five-year restoration project.

Bobwhite quail, known for their "bobwhite" call, disappeared in the state in the late 1970s due to a combination of habitat destruction and harsh winters.

https://www-cbsnews-com.cdn.ampproj...-embark-on-bobwhite-quail-restoration-effort/
 
12-year project to rewild French river a success

Local authorities aimed to return the site in southern France to its natural state to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Work that started 12 years ago to ‘rewild’ parts of a river in southern France has been a success and could be replicated elsewhere.

As many rivers were drying up this summer, the Ouvèze in Ardèche continued to flow, thanks to efforts to undo damage from human activity.

12-year project to rewild French river a success
 
Palo Pinto Promises To Be The State Park North Texas Has Been Waiting For

Palo Pinto Mountains State Park is finally under construction, a decade after the first swath of land was bought. Here's a sneak peek at the park, which is projected to open in 2023.

The story of Palo Pinto Mountains State Park begins with a shooting.

In 2008, Will Copeland shot and killed Kevin Parsons at the Mule Lip Bar in Mingus, Texas. Copeland signed over more than 1,000 acres of ranch land to Parsons’ father as part of a wrongful death lawsuit.

The Nature Conservancy bought that land and other nearby tracts on behalf of the parks department, and Palo Pinto Mountains State Park was born. Halfway between Abilene and Fort Worth, Palo Pinto will be the first new state park in North Texas to open in more than 20 years.

That first purchase happened a decade ago, and the park is finally taking shape. Construction began earlier this year. It’s expected to open in 2023, in time for the state parks centennial.

https://www-keranews-org.cdn.amppro...rk-north-texas-has-been-waiting-for?_amp=true
 
Expanded Marine Protections Benefited Hawaii Tuna Fishery, Study Shows

Major fleet’s catch and revenue rose after enlargement of two marine monuments.

Contradicting concerns from longline commercial fishing operators in the Pacific region, tuna industry revenue actually increased following the expansion of two large U.S. marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Pacific Ocean, a new analysis shows. The work builds upon a study published in the journal Nature Communications last year, which is one of only a few studies to apply rigorous scientific methods to this issue.

https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/resear...nefited-hawaii-tuna-fishery-study-shows?amp=1
 
Conservation efforts increase population of Asian elephants in China

Editor's note: China has made enormous efforts in ecological protection over the past decade, in particular, wildlife conservation. As a result, the population of some endangered species has steadily grown. In CGTN's special coverage Dynamics of China, reporter Yang Jinghao looks at the measures taken to protect Asian elephants in the country.

Conservation efforts increase population of Asian elephants in China
 
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