Endangered Species Recovery Programs

The ‘Extinct’ Guam kingfisher has been released back into the wild 40 years after its extinction. On September 23rd, six Guam kingfishers, or sihek, took their first free flight in nearly four decades, marking a momentous return for a species once classified as extinct in the wild, reports Liz Kimbrough, Ph.D. Native to the forests of Guam, the sihek fell victim to the accidental introduction of the brown tree snake in the 1940s, which decimated the island’s bird populations. By 1988, the sihek had been wiped out in the wild, with only a few surviving in captivity. The recent release of these birds on Palmyra Atoll, a predator-free sanctuary 5,900 kilometers west of Guam, represents the culmination of years of dedicated conservation work. These six individuals, reared through a breeding program that began in the 1980s with just 29 birds, are the first step in reestablishing the species in the wild—though in a foreign land. The effort, led by the Sihek Recovery Program, is a collaborative venture involving institutions such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Zoological Society of London (ZSL), and Sedgwick County Zoo. While the sihek’s release into the wild is a significant milestone, it is only the beginning of a broader plan. Scientists aim to establish a breeding population on Palmyra as a stepping stone toward eventually reintroducing the sihek to its native Guam, once the threat from brown tree snakes is sufficiently mitigated. Each bird has been fitted with a radio tracker to monitor its adaptation to the wild, providing vital data for understanding their survival outside the confines of captivity. This reintroduction highlights both the achievements and risks inherent in these kinds of conservation efforts. The precarious reliance on a small captive population underscores the need for constant vigilance. The case of the Catarina pupfish, a species that went extinct in captivity after disappearing from the wild, serves as a cautionary tale. Nevertheless, conservation initiatives have succeeded with other species reintroduced from the brink, including the California condor and Przewalski’s horse. The sihek’s return could become yet another testament to the delicate balance between loss and recovery, a reminder that even on the edge of extinction, life can find a way back if given the chance. 🐦 https://lnkd.in/g32__U8Q 📷 credits: 1, 4, 5 - Thomas Manglona / KUAM 2 - Smithsonian/NZCBI 3 - ZSL

HOPEFUL NEWS: Amur Leopards escape extinction Amur leopards, once nearly extinct, are making a comeback in Far East Asia. Three decades ago, fewer than 30 individuals remained in the wild. Thanks to committed conservation efforts, that number has now surged to approximately 130 in Russia alone—a milestone in wildlife recovery. What’s behind this turnaround? Transboundary collaboration between Russia and China, coordinating wildlife monitoring and habitat protection. Establishment and expansion of protected areas like the Land of the Leopard National Park. Use of 130 camera traps in 2024 over more than 770 km², providing data to guide recovery strategies. Despite the encouraging rise in numbers, Amur leopards still face serious threats: poaching, habitat loss, limited prey, and low genetic diversity. Why this matters: This shows how strategic coordination, science, and community engagement can revive even the rarest species. As biodiversity loss accelerates globally, conservation successes like this offer hope and practical lessons for recovery. It’s a testament to the power of environmental partnerships—between governments, NGOs, scientists, and communities. The comeback of the Amur leopard proves that with persistence and vision, nature can heal. #AmurLeopard #ConservationSuccess #WildlifeRecovery #NatureRestoration #EndangeredSpecies #Biodiversity #TransboundaryConservation #Rewilding #HopeForNature #LandOfTheLeopard #Coexistence #CameraTraps #EcologicalMonitoring #HabitatProtection #SpeciesComeback #reLifeEarth Photo: https://lnkd.in/d_m6KRHM

Saudi Arabia Steps Up to Save the Arabian Leopard from Extinction A bold conservation effort revives hope for the critically endangered big cat of the Arabian Peninsula ⸻ Introduction: A Species on the Edge The Arabian leopard, the smallest and rarest of all leopard subspecies, teeters on the brink of extinction due to climate change, habitat loss, poaching, and dwindling prey. Once common across the Arabian Peninsula, today only an estimated 100–120 individuals remain in the wild, mostly in Oman and Yemen. Saudi Arabia, where leopards were once widespread, is now leading an ambitious effort to rescue this iconic predator. ⸻ Key Conservation Challenges • Drastic Population Decline • The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified the Arabian leopard as critically endangered. • As of October 2022, only 70–84 mature individuals were believed to remain in the wild. • Leopards are now locally extinct in several regional countries, including Jordan, UAE, and parts of Egypt. • Mounting Threats • Climate change has disrupted traditional habitats. • Urban and agricultural expansion have destroyed migration corridors and hunting grounds. • Illegal poaching and the loss of natural prey have further decimated populations. ⸻ Saudi Arabia’s Rescue Mission • Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) • The leopard rescue effort forms a vital part of the broader Saudi Green Initiative, a national plan focused on environmental sustainability. • SGI integrates wildlife preservation with reforestation, carbon reduction, and climate resilience strategies. • National Center for Wildlife (NCW) • NCW leads leopard conservation through captive breeding programs, genetic monitoring, and public awareness campaigns. • It also works to restore degraded natural habitats and reintroduce leopards into secure protected zones. • International Collaboration and Research • Saudi Arabia has partnered with international conservation groups to leverage global expertise. • Efforts include mapping leopard habitats, using camera traps, and tracking movement to inform rewilding efforts. • Experts like Dr. Belisa Marochi, a professor at Hult International Business School, highlight Saudi Arabia’s role in shaping regional conservation discourse and prioritizing sustainability in leadership training. ⸻ Why It Matters: A Symbol of Saudi Environmental Leadership The Arabian leopard is not only a national symbol but also a powerful indicator of ecological health. Saudi Arabia’s campaign to rescue this majestic animal showcases its evolving environmental priorities and growing commitment to biodiversity. The leopard’s survival may depend on the success of this initiative, which blends science, education, and national willpower. If successful, Saudi Arabia could become a global model for restoring endangered species through visionary leadership and sustained action. ⸻ https://lnkd.in/gEmHdXZy

A major review of over 67,000 animal species has found that while the natural world continues to face a biodiversity crisis, targeted conservation efforts are helping bring many species back from the brink of extinction. While there is no 'one size fits all' solution, the researchers observed some connections between conservation success stories. Many of these species live in isolated areas, such as islands, where intensive conservation efforts -- such as habitat protection, captive breeding and reintroductions -- can be fully implemented. The Iberian lynx, once the world's most endangered cat, has rebounded from just a few hundred individuals to a few thousand. Likewise, the kākāpō, a flightless parrot from New Zealand, has benefitted from dedicated recovery programmes. And the European bison, which was hunted to extinction in the wild in the early 20th century, now roams parts of Eastern Europe thanks to sustained conservation efforts over decades. Marine species have also seen dramatic recoveries. Humpback and blue whales, once driven to the brink of extinction by commercial whaling, have made a comeback after an international moratorium on whaling. However, despite these success stories, the study found that six times more species are declining than improving. https://lnkd.in/euVJVPKP

Tamil Nadu government has rolled out a ₹1 crore conservation programme to protect four lesser-known but endangered species — the Lion-Tailed Macaque, Madras Hedgehog, Striped Hyena, and Hump-Headed Mahseer Fish. Unlike the spotlight on tigers and elephants, this initiative shines on species often ignored despite their ecological importance. 🔸 Lion-Tailed Macaque – Endangered, endemic to the Western Ghats, surviving in fragmented forests. 🔸 Madras Hedgehog – A nocturnal species of semi-arid southern India, little studied and unprotected. 🔸 Striped Hyena – A natural scavenger, now declining fast in the Mudumalai landscape. 🔸 Hump-Headed Mahseer – Once abundant in the Moyar River, now pushed to the brink by dams, invasive species & destructive fishing. The funds will support canopy bridges, habitat monitoring, ecological surveys, in-situ breeding, and community awareness. This means safer passage for macaques, revived mahseer populations, and protection for species that quietly keep ecosystems healthy. “This programme will generate crucial baseline data, reduce conflict, and strengthen ecological resilience,” said Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary (Forests & Climate Change). Tamil Nadu is leading the way — from Dugong reserves to Nilgiri Tahr projects — and now, giving its overlooked wildlife a fighting chance. 🌍💚 Full story: https://lnkd.in/d53ret_b The New Indian Express Government of Tamil Nadu MoEF&CC Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission IUCN UN Biodiversity Wildlife Institute of India Wildlife Trust of India #Conservation #TamilNadu #Wildlife #Biodiversity

Earlier this week, 10 more critically endangered black rhinos were successfully translocated from South Africa to Zinave National Park in Mozambique With 37 rhinos already introduced and thriving, this relocation aims to enhance biodiversity and reinforce the park as Mozambique’s only ‘big five’ national park. Black rhinos became locally extinct in Mozambique five decades ago. The rhinos, five male and five female, were donated by South Africa’s provincial conservation entity, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. The first rhinos were successfully translocated from South Africa to Zinave National Park in 2022, in the longest road transfer of rhinos ever undertaken. This initiative, the result of a partnership between Mozambique’s National Administration for Conservation Areas (ANAC) and Peace Parks Foundation with financial support from the UK People’s Postcode Lottery, marked the beginning of Mozambique’s efforts to rebuild founder white and black rhino populations as part of a national conservation initiative to reintroduce rhinos in the country. The broader objective of a long-term co-management agreement between ANAC and Peace Parks, signed in 2015, is to rewild the park to create a healthy ecosystem by introducing viable wildlife populations, attracting tourists and supporting the livelihoods of local communities living around the park. To date, 2,540 game animals representing 16 different species have been introduced to Zinave. According to Peace Parks CEO Werner Myburgh the extensive rewilding and restoration programme at Zinave has transformed the landscape and breathed new life into the park for the benefit of both people and nature. “By reintroducing wildlife to areas where the species once thrived, biodiversity is restored. The preservation of natural ecosystems is one of the most effective tools in mitigating climate change. Through the creation of ecosystem carbon sinks, these ecosystems can increase global carbon uptake by up to 12 times,” says Myburgh. Black rhino is a living, renewable natural resource. Natural resources are materials or features from the environment that humans and ecosystems rely on for survival and well-being. Wildlife like black rhino is a living natural resource. That means they provide ongoing benefits when kept alive and thriving. In other words their value increases the longer they are preserved. To read more about Africa, environmental management and natural resources visit the WhyAfrica website. WhyAfrica specialises in the sustainable use and responsible development of Africa’s renewable and non-renewable natural resources. If your company has questions about biodiversity conservation, biodiversity credits, biodiversity offsets or carbon credits in Africa, please give WhyAfrica a call. Image: Black rhino being released in the Zinave National Park in Mozambique. Image credit: Peace Parks Foundation. WhyAfrica Peace Parks Foundation Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife #whyafricaroadtrips #whyafrica