Rediscovery of the Fernandina Giant Tortoise

The rediscovery of the Fernandina Giant Tortoise was confirmed when geneticists from Yale University compared the DNA of the female tortoise found in 2019 with a sample from a male specimen collected in 1906. The female, nicknamed “Fernanda,” has provided evidence that the species may still exist on Fernandina Island. Following this discovery, the Galápagos National Park is preparing expeditions to search for more individuals to potentially save and revive the species.

By NOAA Photo Library - anim1754, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17942391

Blue Whales

The blue whale is the largest animal on the planet, weighing as much as 200 tons. They have a heart the size of a Volkswagen Beetle, and their stomach can hold one ton of krill. They need to eat about four tons of krill each day and are known to be the loudest animals on Earth, even louder than a jet engine. Blue whales have a long body, slender shape, and their mottled blue-gray colour appears light blue underwater. Blue whales were once severely endangered due to commercial whaling, but they are now slowly recovering thanks to international protection efforts. They are still listed as endangered under both the U.S. Endangered Species Act and the IUCN Red List.

Blue whales inhabit all oceans and often migrate between feeding grounds in polar waters and breeding grounds in tropical or subtropical waters. They face threats from ship strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, and habitat degradation. Conservation efforts continue to monitor and protect these magnificent creatures.

The Mountain Gorilla

The mountain gorilla population has seen a remarkable recovery in the Virunga Massif, a volcanic region that spans parts of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This success is due to decades of concerted efforts by governments, conservation organizations, local communities, and international partner. The International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP) has played a significant role in expanding conservation activities across the entire mountain gorilla range in these countries. These efforts include conducting censuses, habitat protection, and community engagement to ensure the continued rebound of this once critically endangered species.

Mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) , Mubare Group, Uganda

by Charles J. Sharp - Own work, from Sharp Photography, sharpphotography.co.uk

• The park was chosen because it has the capacity to support a growing population of cheetahs and is also home to other predators like sloth bears, striped hyenas, and wolves, which the cheetahs have not encountered before.

• This project is part of a larger plan titled ‘Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India’, which aims to reintroduce 50 cheetahs to various national parks over five years.

The reintroduction is seen as a milestone in wildlife conservation and an attempt to restore the ecological balance

Specific conservation measures for mountain gorillas include anti-poaching patrols, veterinary interventions, habitat protection, and community conservation projects. These efforts have led to a significant increase in their population. In 2018, the IUCN Red List downgraded the threat status for mountain gorillas from ‘Critically Endangered’ to ‘Endangered’ due to this population growth. The latest estimates show that the total global wild gorilla population is over 1,000 individuals, with a growth rate in the DRC exceeding the natural rate of the species. This positive trend is a testament to the effectiveness of ongoing conservation work.

Cheetahs return to India

The reintroduction of cheetahs to India is a significant conservation effort, marking the first time in 70 years that these animals will roam in India’s forests. Here are some key details:

• Eight cheetahs from Namibia, which has one of the world’s largest populations of wild cheetahs, were selected for this initiative.

• They were released into Kuno-Palpur National Park in Madhya Pradesh, which offers a blend of grassland and forested areas suitable for the cheetahs.

• Today, there are viable populations of free-ranging bison herds across Europe, integrated into landscapes alongside human populations.

• These efforts are supported by improved legislation, community outreach, education, and the development of nature-based tourism.

• The IUCN Red List has recently updated the status of the European bison from Vulnerable to Near Threatened due to these ongoing conservation efforts.

This success story highlights the importance of habitat restoration and protection in species conservation.

by Charles J. Sharp - Own work, from Sharp Photography, sharpphotography.co.uk

European bison (Bison bonasus) male, Białowieża Forest, Poland

The European bison

The European bison, Europe’s largest land mammal, has made a remarkable recovery from the brink of extinction thanks to concerted conservation efforts. Here are some key details:

• The Society for the Protection of the European Bison was founded in 1923, which played a crucial role in the species’ survival through coordinated breeding and reintroduction efforts.

• Conservation breeding from the few surviving animals in zoos, particularly in Poland, and subsequent reintroductions in countries like Poland, Germany, and Romania have been pivotal.

The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx)

The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) has a significant conservation history in Europe. Here are some key details:

• The species was intentionally eradicated from many parts of Europe and was considered extinct in Central Europe for 200 years.

• Since the 1970s, reintroduction efforts have brought the lynx back to several countries, including Switzerland, Slovenia, Croatia, France, Italy, the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, and Austria.

• The Eurasian lynx is protected by international conventions and EU directives aimed at conserving natural habitats and wild fauna.

• With a total population of 17,000–18,000 individuals including European Russia, the Eurasian lynx is listed as Least Concern at the European level in the IUCN Red List.

• Conservation efforts have led to recovering populations in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and much of Eastern Europe.

These efforts showcase the positive impact of wildlife conservation programs on restoring species population

By mpiet (http://www.mindbox.at/gallery/) - Own work, CC BY-SA 2.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=453440

New Deal for Nature:

• At COP15, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework set targets to protect 30% of the world for nature.

• Goals include increased biodiversity funding, reducing extinction rates, and eliminating harmful subsidies by 2030. The final report can be downloaded by clicking here