Positive Wildlife News 2022

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Asian Giant Tortoises Rewilded to a Protected Forest in Nagaland, India
  • Ten captive-bred juvenile Asian Giant Tortoises released into a protected forest in Nagaland, Northeast India.
  • The Asian Giant Tortoise is the largest tortoise in Asia and listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
  • Release represents the first monitored rewilding of Asian Giant Tortoise in India.
  • Pilot release will serve as a means to guide future release potential for rewilding and eventual population recovery of the Asian Giant Tortoise across its historic range.
Turtle Survival Alliance, Nagaland Forest Department, and Wildlife Conservation Society India today announced the rewilding of ten captive-bred juvenile Asian Giant Tortoises (Manouria emys phayrei) into a protected forest in Nagaland, Northeast India. This first monitored rewilding of the Critically Endangered tortoise in India comes after more than five years of conservation breeding efforts at Nagaland Zoological Park, Dimapur.

Asian Giant Tortoises Rewilded to a Protected Forest in Nagaland, Indi
 
New study shows where manta rays thrive

Targeted for their gill plates and trapped accidentally in fishing nets, reef manta rays are in trouble. Their populations around the world are plummeting, but in one protected area off the coast of Indonesia, a new study shows the rays are not only bucking worldwide trends – they’re thriving.

For over a decade, researchers in the Raja Ampat archipelago have monitored the threatened species, watching its population soar — more than double in one location — even as others struggled.

What’s behind the ray’s success? Holistic conservation efforts. That includes establishing large-scale marine protected areas (MPAs), coupled with creating Southeast Asia’s first shark and ray sanctuary in 2012, and developing fisheries and tourism regulations, according to the study published in Frontiers of Marine Science.

“This is a big win for conservation and Raja Ampat’s local communities,” said Mark Erdmann, who leads Conservation International’s Asia-Pacific marine programs. “The findings clearly demonstrate the positive impact of a comprehensive set of long-term conservation measures to ensure the survival of this globally threatened species.”

Importantly, the Indigenous communities of Raja Ampat benefit as well.

“Reef manta rays are a key attraction for the ecotourism that drives Raja Ampat’s economy,” Erdmann added. “You might say the area’s ‘manta-nomic’ outlook is strong.”

New study shows where manta rays thrive
 
Historic land purchase on Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula marks innovative approach to conservation

Brockway Mountain is one of Michigan’s highest points, and it affords breathtaking views of Lake Superior and the lush forest that blankets the Keweenaw Peninsula. The geological history and ecological significance of the iconic peninsula have led devotees of the area to call it a “land of superlatives.”

The label is fitting. The Keweenaw was formed by a series of lava flows that occurred over the course of 100 million years and ended approximately 1 billion years ago. The peninsula extends 60 miles into Lake Superior, the largest lake by surface area on the planet. Indigenous peoples who have inhabited the area for over 7,000 years carried out the earliest metal workings in the Western Hemisphere. And the peninsula’s massive copper deposits helped fuel the growth of America’s modern economy, said Erika Vye, a geosciences research scientist at Michigan Technological University’s Great Lakes Research Center in Houghton, Michigan.

The Keweenaw may soon be noteworthy for an entirely different reason: a community-based approach to land conservation.

The Nature Conservancy recently purchased 22,700 acres of forest, wetlands and rivers on the peninsula, and it plans to acquire another 9,900 acres by the end of this year. Acquiring the 32,600 acres of land from a private equity firm will conserve four large tracts of forest known collectively as the Keweenaw Heartlands. It also will ensure that the public — including snowmobilers, ATV riders, anglers, hunters, hikers and mountain bikers — may continue to experience and enjoy the property.

Historic land purchase on Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula marks innovative approach to conservation | Mott Foundation
 
Seabirds can now return to Pajaro Uno Island thanks to successful rat removal project

Two years after implementing Chile’s first rat eradication on Pajaro Uno Island, the Chilean Ministry of Environment and Island Conservation confirm the island is free of invasive rodents.

Today, Dec 2nd, 2022, The Chilean Ministry of Environment and the international not-for-profit organization Island Conservation are proud to declare Pajaro Uno Island, Chile free of invasive rodents. The partners removed invasive rats to restore the island’s native seabirds and protect the marine environment.

Seabirds can now return to Pajaro Uno Island thanks to successful rat removal project
 
The Nature Conservancy Australia partners with New South Wales Government to purchase nationally significant wetlands and create the new Brindingabba National Park

The Nature Conservancy Australia (TNC) is delighted to have assisted in the creation of Brindingabba National Park in NSW, which secures the conservation values of the land in perpetuity and will contribute to large scale conservation outcomes. TNC financially supported the NSW Government in purchasing the Brindingabba and Brinda Stations, NSW, resulting in 33,903 hectares of ecologically significant land, including nationally significant wetlands, being reserved to create a new national park managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Ms Alison Rowe, TNC’s Managing Director, said that the creation of the new national park is an important milestone for conservation and biodiversity, which supports the Australian Government’s recent commitment to 30x30 in Australia.

TNC Australia partners with NSW Government to purchase nationally significant wetlands and create the new Brindingabba National Park
 
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Over 44,000 Acres of Critical Bristol Bay Habitat Permanently Protected

Conservation easements on Pedro Bay Corporation land safeguard cultural, ecological and subsistence resources and block construction of Pebble Mine transportation route.

Today The Conservation Fund and Bristol Bay Heritage Land Trust announced the permanent protection of over 44,000 acres of vital land and water habitat on Iliamna Lake that is essential to the health and vitality of Alaska’s Bristol Bay region — the largest wild salmon fishery in the world.

Critical Bristol Bay Habitat Protected in Alaska | The Conservation Fund
 
Endangered pink iguana hatchlings seen for the first time on Galapagos Island

Scientists have discovered hatchling and juvenile populations of the Galapagos pink land iguana, an endangered reptile native to a sole island on the Ecuadorean archipelago, for the first time since the species' discovery just decades ago.
Native only to the slopes of Wolf Volcano on the Galapagos' Isabela Island, the iguana is considered critically endangered and just several hundred are left, according to estimates.

Endangered pink iguana hatchlings seen for the first time on Galapagos island
 
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North Luangwa National Park awarded for conservation excellence

At COP15 in Montreal, Canada, the IUCN announced that North Luangwa National Park is the first Park in Zambia to be part of its Green List, which recognizes protected areas that have been fairly governed, effectively managed and that respect local communities through fair and meaningful engagement.

North Luangwa National Park awarded for conservation excellence
 
More Kulan return home

Four Kulan, an Asiatic wild ass, were transported 2,100 km by helicopter to an area where the species once roamed.

The steppe ecosystem in central Kazakhstan is enormous, nearly double the size of Germany. Consisting of temperate grasslands, winter deserts, and semi-deserts, this landscape supports many endangered species and features extensive and important wetlands. However, keeping the landscape healthy requires grazing herbivores, such as saiga antelope, Przewalski’s horse, and the Asiatic wild ass, the Kulan. These animals keep the vast steppe expanse in good ecological health by diversifying the grass base by spreading seeds in their droppings and grazing plants which helps keeps fires at bay.

More Kulan return home
 
Persian leopard spotted at protected area in western Iran for 1st time in over 2 years

A Persian leopard, a rare and endangered species, has been spotted for the first time in over two years at a protected reserve in Iran’s western province of Kermanshah.

Farshad Fattahi, a local environmental official, said the cameras installed in the area captured images of the leopard that was passing through the heights of the Bozin and Marakhil protected reserve in Paveh County.

Persian Leopard Spotted At Protected Area In Western Iran For 1st Time In Over 2 Years - Iran Front Page
 
New Protected Area in Southwestern Bulgaria to Help Conserve Alpine Newt

A new protected area has been declared in Tran Municipality, Pernik Region (Southwestern Bulgaria) by order of caretaker Environment and Water Minister Rositsa Karamfilova. The “Localities of Alpine Newt in Ruy Mountain” covers an area of nearly 5 ha within the territory of the villages of Rani Lug and Nasalevtsi, the Environment Ministry reported.

New Protected Area in SW Bulgaria to Help Conserve Alpine Newt
 
Bureau of Land Management acquires 1,600 acres west of De Beque

Two-and-a-half square miles of lands are now in the public’s hands as a result of an acquisition by the Bureau of Land Management.

The agency acquired two parcels west of De Beque, 960 and 640 acres in size, from the Latham family in a $1.92 million purchase paid for by the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund program.

The parcels lie adjacent to the western and northwestern edges of the BLM’s South Shale Ridge Area of Critical Environmental Concern.

One of them also is close to the BLM’s Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range.

“It’s a pretty big acquisition that has come together over the last few years and we’re really happy that we closed on it,” said Greg Wolfgang, Grand Junction field manager for the BLM.

BLM acquires 1,600 acres west of De Beque | Western Colorado | gjsentinel.com
 
President Biden Signs Legislation to Prohibit Destructive Swordfish Drift Gillnets in all U.S. Waters

Oceana Celebrates Long Overdue Protections for Whales, Sea Turtles

Today, President Biden signed into law the bipartisan Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act to phase out the use of deadly large-mesh drift gillnets for swordfish fishing in federal waters (3 to 200 miles from shore) and promote the adoption of more selective ways of fishing as part of the omnibus federal spending package. Oceana hails the legislation as long overdue protections for whales, dolphins, and sea turtles and commends Congressional leaders for protecting our ocean wildlife.

“Whales, sea turtles, and other animals will soon enjoy safer passage off our shores, and consumers will have confidence knowing that the swordfish they purchase does not come with deadly consequences,” said Susan Murray, Deputy Vice President for Oceana. “Large-mesh drift gillnets are essentially ‘Walls of Death’ that needlessly entangle, injure, and kill countless animals and there’s no place for them in our oceans, especially with proven and effective ways to catch swordfish without harming other marine life. We applaud the leadership of Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Shelley Moore-Capito (R- WV), and House sponsors Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), for their vision and diligent work to bring this across the finish line. This is a great example of how we can find practical solutions that create a more sustainable ocean future.”

https://usa.oceana.org/press-releas...e-swordfish-drift-gillnets-in-all-u-s-waters/
 
Oryx walk the sands of Neom after nearly 100 years, nature reserve official says

Saudi Arabia has returned oryx, ibex, sand gazelles and mountain gazelles to the desert in Neom.

The animals arrived from the National Centre for Wildlife in Riyadh in late October.

After spending time in special pens to acclimatise to their new environment, the animals were released into the nature reserve.

“The wildlife release was a historical moment. This is the first time that an oryx has walked the sands of Neom in nearly 100 years," said Paul Marshall, head of the Neom Nature Reserve.

This is a key first step in Neom’s plans to contribute to conservation, a press release said.

Oryx walk the sands of Neom after nearly 100 years, nature reserve official says
 
Rare good news from the Amazon: Gigantic fish are thriving again

On this stretch of the Amazon River, you don’t need a fish finder to locate the pirarucu, one of the world’s largest freshwater fish. The splashing gives them away.

Like the saltwater tarpon, the pirarucu is an air-breathing fish that must rise to the surface every 15 minutes or so to gulp oxygen. That makes it easier to locate and catch pirarucu — also known as arapaima or paiche — that can grow to be 10 feet long, weigh up to 450 pounds and are prized for their meat.

Their constant surfacing also makes it easier for poachers. In fact, widespread illegal fishing caused the pirarucu to nearly disappear from some parts of the Amazon. But thanks to sustainable fishing programs that combine education with strict rules and quotas, it’s now making a comeback.

https://www.wabe.org/rare-good-news-from-the-amazon-gigantic-fish-are-thriving-again/
 
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