https://newsroom.wcs.org RSS feeds for Newsroom 60 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26519/The-Wildlife-Conservation-Society-and-Multi-Media-Artist-Anita-Glesta-Team-Up-to-Project-Public-Artwork-about-the-Hudson-Canyon-onto-the-Brooklyn-Bridge.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=26519 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=26519&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26519/The-Wildlife-Conservation-Society-and-Multi-Media-Artist-Anita-Glesta-Team-Up-to-Project-Public-Artwork-about-the-Hudson-Canyon-onto-the-Brooklyn-Bridge.aspx Bronx, NY, August 7, 2026—In collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and ArtW, and presented through the New York City Department of Transportation’s art program (NYC DOT Art), internationally recognized multimedia artist Anita Glesta, will premiere AQUA COSMOS: The Hudson Canyon, a monumental eighteen-minute immersive projection that will transform the Brooklyn Bridge into a gateway to one of the world's most extraordinary marine environments. Observers can see the public art installation projected on the Brooklyn Bridge from the Emily Warren Roebling Plaza, Brooklyn Bridge Park, September 25 and 26, 7pm to 10 pm each evening. The Hudson Canyon, located 100 miles off the coast of New York City, is the largest submarine canyon along the Atlantic Coast. Rivaling the depth and scale of the Grand Canyon, the Hudson Canyon supports a remarkable abundance and diversity of marine wildlife such as whales, sea turtles, sharks, tuna, colorful coldwater corals and many species that support local commercial and recreational fisheries. The immersive public artwork builds upon WCS's longstanding efforts to raise awareness about and to protect the Hudson Canyon. WCS nominated the canyon for consideration as a National Marine Sanctuary in 2016. NOAA initiated and leads the stakeholder--and public-facing process to designate the first National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of New York and New Jersey. WCS leads a broad coalition of scientists, conservation organizations, fishing interests, businesses and community stakeholders advocating for its designation. Visit WCS’s Hudson Canyon website to learn more.  “I’ve spent much of my life exploring what lies beneath the surface-of memory, of the body, of the landscapes we live in,” says Anita Glesta. “When I learned that an extraordinary marine ecosystem exists just beyond New York City, it felt like another one of those revelations. AQUA COSMOS: The Hudson Canyon grew out of that moment of discovery.” AQUA COSMOS: The Hudson Canyon honors the legacy of WCS’s 1925 Arcturus Expedition, one of the first scientific explorations of the Hudson Canyon. Led by pioneering naturalist William Beebe, the expedition also included such groundbreaking women artists and scientists as Isabel Cooper, Helen Damrosch Tee Van, Ruth Rose, Marie Poland Fish, Lillian Segal and Elizabeth Trotter.  Because early photography could not capture the deep sea, the DTR’s artists created vivid illustrations that gave the public its first glimpse of the species that use this hidden underwater world. Those historic works, now preserved in the WCS Archives at the WCS Bronx Zoo, are paired with stunning new National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) footage captured in September 2025 using remotely operated vehicles. Together, they inspired artist Glesta's immersive 18-minute video blending archival art, journals, animation, painting, and sound to connect over 100 years of ocean discovery and celebrate the enduring partnership between art, science, and conservation.   What:  AQUA COSMOS: The Hudson Canyon – Multimedia artist Anita Glesta and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) partner to organize an: 18-minute public art immersive video art installation on the Brooklyn Bridge  When:  7pm to 10 pm, Friday, September 25; and Saturday, September 26  Where:  Viewers can gather in Emily Warren Roebling Plaza, Brooklyn Bridge Park  Who:  Open to the Public and All Nature & Art Lovers About Anita Glesta  Anita Glesta is a Brooklyn-based multimedia artist whose work spans painting, animation, immersive video, sculpture, and site-specific installations. Her projects draw on scientific research, history, and lived experience to create visually compelling works that engage broad public audiences. Her work has been exhibited internationally at museums and cultural institutions including MOCAK Museum of Contemporary Art Kraków, the Arthur M. Sackler Museum at Peking University, the Parrish Art Museum, the Hudson River Museum, White Columns, and the Art Gallery of New South Wales. She is the recipient of numerous grants, fellowships, and awards, including the Pollock-Krasner Foundation, the New York Foundation for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, the Australia Council for the Arts, and a Laureate Research Fellowship at the University of New South Wales, School of Art, Architecture and Design, “The fEEL Lab”.  https://anitaglesta.com About ArtW  ArtW is a 501C3 non-profit organization committed to promoting women globally across creative disciplines through advocacy, curation and education. Through a combination of panels, tours and salon discussion series, ArtW brings collectors curators and art enthusiasts together with notable international women artists. https://www.artw.org About NYC DOT art program   The New York City Department of Transportation’s art program, NYC DOT Art, partners with organizations and professional artists to present temporary public art on NYC DOT property throughout the five boroughs for up to eleven months. Artists transform streets with colorful murals, dynamic projections and eye-catching sculptures. Sidewalks, fences, triangles, medians, bridges, jersey barriers, step streets, public plazas and pedestrianized spaces serve as canvases and foundations for temporary art. Since 2008, NYC DOT Art has produced over 550 temporary artworks citywide. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dotart and @nyc_DOTArt on Instagram.  ### nMoss@wcs.org Fri, 07 Aug 2026 13:27:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:26519 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26492/As-Global-Land-Degradation-Accelerates-WCS-Brings-Science-and-Wildlife-Conservation-Expertise-to-UNCCD-COP17-in-Mongolia-August-17-28.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=26492 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=26492&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26492/As-Global-Land-Degradation-Accelerates-WCS-Brings-Science-and-Wildlife-Conservation-Expertise-to-UNCCD-COP17-in-Mongolia-August-17-28.aspx ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia, August 3, 2026 — As land degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate change increasingly threaten ecosystems and communities around the world, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) will urge governments at the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17) to place wildlife conservation and ecological integrity at the heart of global efforts to restore degraded lands and build climate resilience. The conference will convene in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia between August 17-28. At a time when nature faces unprecedented pressures, from accelerating land degradation and biodiversity loss to climate change and increasing demands on natural resources, COP17 represents a critical opportunity for governments to advance solutions that recognize healthy ecosystems as the foundation for sustainable development. Protecting and restoring the world's rangelands will be essential not only for people and livelihoods, but also for conserving wildlife, maintaining ecological integrity, and building resilience in a rapidly changing world. Held under the theme "Restoring Land. Restoring Hope," COP17 comes during the United Nations International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists and offers a critical opportunity to elevate the importance of healthy rangelands in addressing biodiversity loss, climate change, and sustainable development. WCS experts from Mongolia and around the world will participate in policy discussions focused on the role that science-based conservation can play in achieving land restoration goals. "Healthy rangelands are far more than grazing lands—they are some of the planet's most important ecosystems, supporting extraordinary wildlife, sustaining pastoral communities, storing carbon, and maintaining ecological processes across vast landscapes," said Dr. Susan Lieberman, Vice President of International Policy for the Wildlife Conservation Society. "As governments seek solutions to land degradation, protecting biodiversity and maintaining ecological integrity must be recognized as essential to long-term restoration and resilience." "Mongolia's vast rangelands demonstrate that healthy ecosystems, thriving wildlife, and sustainable pastoral livelihoods are deeply interconnected," said Dr. Justine Shanti Alexander, Country Director of WCS Mongolia. "Hosting COP17 provides an opportunity to share lessons from Mongolia with the world while reinforcing that conserving ecological integrity is fundamental to restoring land and securing a sustainable future for both people and nature." WCS works across globally important rangelands in 17 countries, partnering with governments, Indigenous Peoples, pastoralists, and local communities to conserve wildlife, restore ecosystems, and advance science-based land management. As host nation, Mongolia offers a powerful example of the importance of conserving intact rangelands. WCS has worked in Mongolia for more than two decades, helping conserve one of the world's largest remaining temperate grassland ecosystems while supporting research on iconic migratory species including the Mongolian gazelle, saiga antelope, wild ass, and snow leopard. During COP17, WCS will emphasize that successful land restoration depends on protecting functioning ecosystems, conserving wildlife and migration corridors, strengthening climate resilience, and ensuring that science and local knowledge guide decision-making. WCS experts will be available throughout the conference to discuss rangeland conservation, biodiversity, wildlife migrations, land restoration, climate resilience, One Health, and the role of science in informing international policy. ### ipayano@wcs.org Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:09:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:26492 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26459/A-Remarkable-Day-Highlights-the-Waters-off-New-York-and-New-Jersey-as-Important-Feeding-Habitat-for-Whales-on-the-Atlantic-Coast.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=26459 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=26459&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26459/A-Remarkable-Day-Highlights-the-Waters-off-New-York-and-New-Jersey-as-Important-Feeding-Habitat-for-Whales-on-the-Atlantic-Coast.aspx NEW YORK, July 28, 2026 — A single day at sea can sometimes tell a much bigger story. Watch this video HERE. These images were taken by the Wildlife Conservation Society New York Bight Program’s Ocean Giants research team on June 29. During a recent research expedition in the New York Bight, scientists with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) documented an extraordinary gathering of whales and other marine wildlife just 25 to 35 miles south of Long Island, capturing spectacular images of humpback whales bubble-feeding, fin whales lunging through schools of fish, minke whales likely feeding just below the surface, common dolphins riding the research vessel's bow, and humpback whale mothers accompanied by calves, some of which performed acrobatic behaviors such as breaching. Stretching from Montauk, New York, to Cape May, New Jersey, the New York Bight is one of the busiest marine ecosystems in North America. It supports commercial shipping, fishing, recreation, offshore energy development, and millions of people living along its shores. Increasingly, it is also serving as important habitat for large whales and other marine wildlife. For the WCS scientists who have spent more than a decade studying the marine life in these waters, the remarkable day was more than a collection of memorable wildlife encounters; it was another powerful example of how the waters off New York and New Jersey have become an important habitat for whales. "People are often surprised to learn that whale watching on the U.S. East Coast now happens within sight of New York City," said Dr. Howard Rosenbaum, Executive Director of the Wildlife Conservation Society's New York Bight Program. "When we began our research more than a decade ago, these waters weren't widely recognized as important whale habitat. Today, we regularly encounter multiple marine mammal species using this ecosystem, and days like this remind us just how extraordinary—and important—the New York Bight is and has become. And how important it is to protect the New York Bight, from waters nearshore to further offshore including Hudson Canyon, which we are advocating to become a National Marine Sanctuary." As whales have become increasingly visible in the New York Bight over the past several years, WCS’s long-term visual and passive acoustic research has helped document the importance of these waters for multiple species seasonally and even year-round. Researchers are continuing to study the ecological conditions that influence where and when whales occur across the region. "One reason we find these high concentrations of animals in some years is because the whales are following their prey,” Rosenbaum said. “Dense schools of baitfish attract humpback, fin, and minke whales and other marine predators into feeding aggregations. Some of our fieldwork and subsequent analyses have revealed these remarkable aggregations; yet more is needed to better understand the full picture of where and when these highly productive areas take shape within and between years. Understanding those changes is essential if we're going to protect these animals in one of the busiest coastal regions in the world." The WCS New York Bight Program has conducted systematic whale and dolphin research throughout the region for more than a decade, using vessel surveys, photo-identification, passive acoustic monitoring, and other scientific methods to understand how marine mammals use these waters throughout the year. Findings from this work have been published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and are shared with the public through WCS’s Whales of New York website, helping to build a growing body of evidence about the importance of the New York Bight to whales and other marine wildlife. That long-term research is helping scientists answer important questions about where and when whales, dolphins, and other marine life carry out essential life functions in the New York Bight, while informing conservation efforts to reduce potential threats and impacts from vessel strikes, fishing gear entanglement, and underwater noise. The images, captured on June 29, also include a fin whale with injuries consistent with a vessel strike, underscoring the threats whales continue to face in the waters off of New York and New Jersey and the growing need to better understand and protect them in these metropolitan waterways. The recent survey offered a rare opportunity to witness multiple feeding behaviors and species interacting within the same productive ecosystem. Researchers documented humpback whales corralling fish with curtains of bubbles before surfacing collectively through their prey, fin whales accelerating through dense bait balls, minke whales in and around the area, likely feeding below the surface, and common dolphins taking advantage of the abundant forage fish. "What makes this day so special is not just the sheer number of whales we saw in one area," Rosenbaum said. "It's what they were doing. They were feeding, taking advantage of an incredibly productive foraging hotspot. One survey does not tell the whole story, but days like this help bring our long-term science to life, and remind us why protecting these waters has never been more important." The accompanying video also captures humpback calves repeatedly breaching alongside their mothers, offering a glimpse into the next generation of whales now using New York's coastal waters. Video and Photo Highlights The accompanying images were captured approximately 25–35 miles south of Long Island on June 29, 2026 and include: Bubble-feeding humpback whales Lunge-feeding fin whales Humpback mothers traveling with calves Breaching humpback calves Common dolphins riding the research vessel's bow Minke whales likely feeding below the surface Dense bait balls attracting multiple whale species A fin whale with injuries consistent with a vessel strike Videos and Photos collected by the WCS New York Bight Program Ocean Giants team conducted pursuant to NMFS ESA/MMPA Permit No. 27057 WCS especially thanks our Captain Joseph DePalma, as well as the coordinated and collaborative on-water efforts of Carl Lobue and The Nature Conservancy New York team.  drosen@wcs.org Tue, 28 Jul 2026 07:00:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:26459 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26438/Endangered-Kemps-Ridley-Sea-Turtle-Pancake-Returns-to-the-Atlantic-After-Successful-Rescue-and-Rehab.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=26438 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=26438&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26438/Endangered-Kemps-Ridley-Sea-Turtle-Pancake-Returns-to-the-Atlantic-After-Successful-Rescue-and-Rehab.aspx [Above photo: Pancake, a rescued Endangered Kemp’s Ridley turtle returned to the sea at 1:13pm EST on July 23, 2026. As a crowd on the Atlantic Ocean beach outside the Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium in Coney Island cheered: “Pancake, Pancake, Pancake!" Credit: Mary Dixon ©️Wildlife Conservation Society] Coney Island, NY, July 23, 2026—An Endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle named Pancake successfully returned to the Atlantic Ocean today outside the Wildlife Conservation Society's New York Aquarium, marking the culmination of months of rehabilitation and celebrating the New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and the partnerships that make marine wildlife conservation possible. Pancake returned to the sea at 1:13pm EST. As crowds cheered: “Pancake, Pancake, Pancake!” Representatives from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), New York State Department of State (DOS), Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), environmental organizations, elected officials, and New York Aquarium campers and youth leaders, gathered on the beach as Pancake confidently made its way back into the ocean. Pancake, an Endangered juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtle estimated to be between two and five years old, was found suffering from cold stunning on Nov. 22, 2025, at Duck Harbor Beach in Wellfleet, Massachusetts. After being rescued by the Massachusetts Audubon Society, Pancake was transported to the New England Aquarium for emergency triage and medical treatment before being transferred on Dec. 3 to the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society's Sea Turtle Care Facility in Westhampton Beach, where the turtle underwent months of specialized rehabilitation. Now weighing approximately 11 pounds, Pancake made a full recovery, demonstrating strong swimming behavior while actively pursuing food and maintaining a healthy diet of shrimp and clams before being cleared for release. The turtle's sex remains unknown, as determining sex requires blood testing that is unnecessary during rehabilitation. Pancake is one of 25 sea turtles transferred to AMSEAS for rehabilitation during this cold-stunning season and one of 125 sea turtles treated at the organization's Sea Turtle Care Facility since 2020. Today's release of Pancake celebrated the New York State Environmental Protection Fund, which supports critical ocean conservation, wildlife rehabilitation, marine science, and coastal restoration efforts through its Ocean and Great Lakes Program. Established in 1993, with the Ocean and Great Lakes Program added after that, the EPF remains the state's primary source of funding for projects that protect and restore New York's marine ecosystems. The celebration highlighted the ecological importance of the New York Bight, the stretch of ocean extending from Cape May, New Jersey, to Montauk, New York. One of the most biologically productive marine ecosystems on the East Coast, the Bight provides important habitat and migration routes for Endangered sea turtles, whales, dolphins, sharks, rays, seabirds, and countless fish species. For decades, Wildlife Conservation Society scientists have conducted pioneering research throughout the New York Bight, advancing the understanding and conservation of this extraordinary marine ecosystem while helping inform management decisions that protect New York's ocean wildlife for future generations. Representatives from the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, Wildlife Conservation Society/New York Aquarium, Natural Resources Defense Council, The Nature Conservancy, New York League of Conservation Voters, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and local elected officials joined together to highlight the importance of sustained investments in ocean conservation and wildlife recovery. “The care and release of Pancake is an inspiration to all of us who work so hard to preserve and restore our endangered ocean species and habitats,” said New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley. “Through Governor Hochul’s unprecedented investments in the State Environmental Protection Fund, New York State is leading the nation in its stewardship of our Atlantic Ocean and Great Lakes ecosystems.”   “Release events shed important light on the recovery efforts of these highly endangered sea turtle species,” New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Martin Gary, Director of Division of Marine Resources said. “New York State's Environmental Protection Fund plays a vital role in continuously supporting opportunities that protect not only wildlife that lives in our marine waters, but also New York’s dynamic and diverse coastal ecosystems. By restoring ocean health, we are investing in a stronger, more resilient future for New Yorkers and the natural resources that support our communities.” John F. Calvelli, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs for the Wildlife Conservation Society, said: "Every Kemp's ridley returned to the ocean is a victory for one of the world's most endangered sea turtle species. Pancake's release reminds us that New Yorkers share our ocean with sea turtles, whales, dolphins, sharks, and countless other remarkable marine species. For decades, Wildlife Conservation Society scientists have conducted groundbreaking research throughout the New York Bight to better understand and protect this extraordinary marine ecosystem. We are proud to work alongside AMSEAS, New York State, and our many conservation partners to celebrate the Environmental Protection Fund, which gives threatened and Endangered wildlife a second chance while advancing the science, rehabilitation, and stewardship needed to protect the waters and marine life of the New York Bight for generations to come."  Robert A. DiGiovanni, Jr., Executive Director/Chief Scientist, Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS), said:  "This release reflects the power of strong partnerships and an engaged community. Every successful rehabilitation begins with someone reporting an animal in need, and we are grateful to the public, our partners, and the dedicated responders who make these outcomes possible. For more than three decades, AMSEAS' staff has worked alongside the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and fellow conservation organizations to protect whales, dolphins, seals, and sea turtles in New York's waters. As strandings continue to increase, continued support through the Environmental Protection Fund is essential to advancing marine conservation and giving endangered animals like this sea turtle a second chance." Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, said: "New York's waters are rich with a diverse group of marine species—sea turtles, seals, dolphins, and large whales. These magnificent creatures bring the public joy and hope that restoration efforts are working. This is why New York has championed programs investing in the health of our oceans, estuaries, and Great Lakes. Funding through the Environmental Protection Fund for whale monitoring, sea turtle research and rehabilitation, and water quality improvements helps us protect these productive, rich water bodies and all the beautiful species that live there. Pancake is a visible symbol that restoration efforts are working. Our ocean faces new challenges, but even saving one sea turtle at a time we can make a difference." Carl LoBue, Director of Oceans and Fisheries for The Nature Conservancy in New York, said: "The Nature Conservancy is pleased to celebrate Pancake's rehabilitation. We thank the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society team for their ongoing recovery efforts and the many volunteers who search our beaches for cold-stunned sea turtles each fall. The Nature Conservancy commends Governor Hochul and members of the New York State Senate and Assembly for providing record funding through the Environmental Protection Fund to undertake projects like these that benefit people and wildlife throughout our great state. Thanks to EPF grants, marine animals like Pancake can recover and return to the sea." Alison Chase, Director of Marine Protected Areas at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), said: "Our ocean supports New York's multi-billion-dollar marine economy, thousands of jobs, and outdoor recreation. New Yorkers need a strong Environmental Protection Fund to help protect marine habitats and aquatic species. Ocean life is stressed by warmer, more acidic waters, and decades of habitat loss and pollution. As we celebrate this sea turtle's return to the wild today, we are also celebrating the Environmental Protection Fund that makes it possible to keep our ocean healthy." Alisha Deen-Steindler, Legislative Advocate, New York League of Conservation Voters, said: "The Environmental Protection Fund is one of the most effective tools for safeguarding clean water, healthy coastal ecosystems, rehabilitating marine mammals, and providing New Yorkers access to zoos, botanical gardens, and aquaria. Pancake's return to the Atlantic is an important reminder of what well-funded conservation efforts can achieve, and NYLCV is proud to sponsor this celebration and support the partnerships and investments that make stories like this possible." Event Partners: ·       Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS) ·       Wildlife Conservation Society / New York Aquarium ·       Citizens Campaign for the Environment ·       Natural Resources Defense Council ·       The Nature Conservancy ·       New York League of Conservation Voters ### ipayano@wcs.org Thu, 23 Jul 2026 18:28:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:26438 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26432/A-NEW-DATE-AND-TIME-ALERT-Rehabilitated-Endangered-Kemps-Ridley-Sea-Turtle-Pancake-to-Return-to-Atlantic-Ocean-Along-Coney-Island-on-Thursday-July-23-1230pm.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=26432 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=26432&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26432/A-NEW-DATE-AND-TIME-ALERT-Rehabilitated-Endangered-Kemps-Ridley-Sea-Turtle-Pancake-to-Return-to-Atlantic-Ocean-Along-Coney-Island-on-Thursday-July-23-1230pm.aspx Coney Island, NY, July 21, 2026—An Endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle will be released into the Atlantic Ocean along the beach outside the Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium on Thursday, July 23 at 12:30pm. LAST WEEK WE POSTPONED TO THIS NEW DATE AND TIME DUE TO THE AIR QUALITY ALERT IN NYC. The turtle, named Pancake, was recovered by Massachusetts Audubon Society suffering from cold stunning in Duck Harbor Beach, Wellfleet, Massachusetts on Nov 22, 2025. Pancake was transferred from Duck Harbor to the New England Aquarium on November 23rd for triage and medical treatment. On Dec 3, Pancake and 24 other Kemp’s ridley sea turtles were transferred to the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS) sea turtle triage facility in Westhampton Beach, NY,  for treatment and rehabilitation.  Pancake weighs 11 pounds and is likely 2-5 years old. Pancake has made a strong recovery, demonstrating confident swimming behavior, particularly while pursuing food, and maintains a healthy diet of shrimp and clams. The turtle’s sex is unknown as that would require a blood test which is not needed for rehabilitation. The turtle's release back into the wild is a celebration of its recovery and the state funding that supports this work and keeps our ocean, coasts, and all who rely on them, healthy. The coast off Coney Island is part of the New York Bight, from Cape May, NJ, to Montauk NY, where WCS conducts science to protect wildlife there including whales and sharks. Pancake is one of 25 patients transferred to AMSEAS this season and one of 125 sea turtles that have entered AMSEAS Sea Turtle Care Facility since 2020.  The event will highlight the importance of New York's ocean and the role that the New York State Environmental Protection Fund plays in supporting the health of the ocean. In 1993, New York State enacted the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). The Ocean and Great Lakes Program line in the EPF is the state's main source of funding for science and projects that protect and restore ocean and coastal health. What: Release of an Endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle into the Atlantic Ocean When: 12:30pm to 1:30pm, Thursday, July 23 (Reporters should arrive by Noon) Where: On the beach behind the New York Aquarium 602 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11224 Who: Pancake, an Endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation, Commissioner Amanda Lefton New York State Dept. of State, Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley Representatives from Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS); Wildlife Conservation Society/New York Aquarium; Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC);  The Nature Conservancy (TNC); The New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV) TBD local elected officials New York Aquarium camp participants and high school youth leaders  Special Note to Reporters: Reporters will be allowed free access to the New York Aquarium parking lot at 602 Surf Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11224. Call Nat Moss at 917-922-4670 upon arrival or with any questions. All press should arrive at noon and head directly to the boardwalk behind the New York Aquarium. ### ipayano@wcs.org Tue, 21 Jul 2026 17:47:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:26432 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26429/Twin-Critically-Endangered-Black-and-White-Ruffed-Lemurs-Born-at-Central-Park-Zoo.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=26429 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=26429&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26429/Twin-Critically-Endangered-Black-and-White-Ruffed-Lemurs-Born-at-Central-Park-Zoo.aspx NEW YORK, N.Y. — July 21, 2026 — The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Central Park Zoo is debuting twin Critically Endangered black-and-white ruffed lemurs, born April 5, 2026. The fraternal twin pair includes one male, named Maso, and one female, named Tonga. The black-and-white ruffed lemur is a primate native to the tropical rainforests of eastern Madagascar. They are considered Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; wild populations have declined by at least 80% over three generations due primarily to habitat loss and poaching. This breeding was recommended under the black-and-white ruffed lemur Species Survival Plan (SSP), an AZA-managed breeding program that helps maintain the species’ genetic viability. Since 2008, when the zoo first acquired the species, eight black-and-white ruffed lemurs have been born at the Central Park Zoo. Unlike most lemurs, ruffed lemurs typically birth multi-infant litters. Mothers “park” their pups in tree canopy nests as they explore and forage, rather than carrying them on their body like the majority of primates. Lemurs have complex social hierarchies and stand out among primates as uniquely matriarchal. Each troop has a core female group that dominates territory, mating, and resource allocation. The twins’ mother, Koa, is the leader of Central Park Zoo’s troop. Their father, Milo, is her chosen dominant male. These lemurs are among the largest pollinators in the world – as they consume the nectar of the Madagascar-native Traveler’s tree, pollen clings to their faces and spreads as they travel from plant to plant. According to animal care staff, the twins’ favorite treat is banana. The pair can now be seen at the Central Park Zoo’s Tropic Zone exhibit, which also features white-faced saki monkeys, cotton-topped tamarins, and other incredible species. Beyond the zoo, WCS’s Madagascar Program works to protect biodiversity throughout Madagascar, including in Makira Natural Park, the primary habitat of the black-and-white ruffed lemur. To see these twins in person, plan your visit and purchase tickets at CentralParkZoo.com/plan-your-visit. ### jdagostino@wcs.org Tue, 21 Jul 2026 13:31:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:26429 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26410/Rehabilitated-Endangered-Kemps-Ridley-Sea-Turtle-Pancake-to-Return-to-Atlantic-Ocean-Along-Coney-Island-on-Thursday-July-16.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=26410 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=26410&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26410/Rehabilitated-Endangered-Kemps-Ridley-Sea-Turtle-Pancake-to-Return-to-Atlantic-Ocean-Along-Coney-Island-on-Thursday-July-16.aspx Coney Island, NY, July 9, 2026—An endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle will be released into the Atlantic Ocean along the beach outside the Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium on Thursday, July 16. The turtle, named Pancake, was recovered by Massachusetts Audubon Society suffering from cold stunning in Duck Harbor Beach, Wellfleet, Massachusetts on Nov 22, 2025. Pancake was transferred from Duck Harbor to the New England Aquarium on November 23rd for triage and medical treatment. On Dec 3, Pancake and 24 other Kemp’s ridley sea turtles were transferred to the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS) sea turtle triage facility in Westhampton Beach, NY,  for treatment and rehabilitation. Pancake weighs 11 pounds and is likely 2-5 years old. Pancake has made a strong recovery, demonstrating confident swimming behavior, particularly while pursuing food, and maintains a healthy diet of shrimp and clams. The turtle’s sex is unknown as that would require a blood test which is not needed for rehabilitation. The turtle's release back into the wild is a celebration of its recovery and the state funding that supports this work and keeps our ocean, coasts, and all who rely on them, healthy. The coast off Coney Island is part of the New York Bight, from Cape May, NJ, to Montauk NY, where WCS conducts science to protect wildlife there including whales and sharks. Pancake is one of 25 patients transferred to AMSEAS this season and one of 125 sea turtles that have entered AMSEAS Sea Turtle Care Facility since 2020. The event will highlight the importance of New York's ocean and the role that the New York State Environmental Protection Fund plays in supporting the health of the ocean. In 1993, New York State enacted the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), and in 2006 the Ocean and Great Lakes Program line was added to the EPF. The Ocean and Great Lakes Program line is the state's main source of funding for science and projects that protect and restore ocean and coastal health. What: Release of an endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle into the Atlantic Ocean When: 10:30 a.m. sharp, Thursday, July 16 (Reporters should arrive by 10:00 a.m.) Where: On the beach behind the New York Aquarium 602 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11224 Who: Antonia Pereira, Regional Director, Region 2, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (confirmed as of July 7) Pancake, an endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle TBD: New York State Department of State Representatives from Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS); Wildlife Conservation Society/New York Aquarium; Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC); Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE); The Nature Conservancy (TNC) TBD local elected officials New York Aquarium camp participants and high school youth leaders Special Note to Reporters: Reporters will be allowed free access to the New York Aquarium parking lot at 602 Surf Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11224. Call Nat Moss at 917-922-4670 upon arrival or with any questions. All press should arrive at 10:00 a.m. and head directly to the boardwalk behind the New York Aquarium. ### nMoss@wcs.org Thu, 09 Jul 2026 19:59:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:26410 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26395/The-Future-of-Patty-an-Asian-Elephant-at-WCSs-Bronx-Zoo-Will-Be-Decided-by-One-Standard-Whats-Best-for-Patty.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=26395 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=26395&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26395/The-Future-of-Patty-an-Asian-Elephant-at-WCSs-Bronx-Zoo-Will-Be-Decided-by-One-Standard-Whats-Best-for-Patty.aspx New York, July 7, 2026 -- The following statement was issued by Craig Piper, Interim Executive Vice President for the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Zoos & Aquarium and Director of the Bronx Zoo: Patty, a 57-year-old Asian elephant, is healthy and doing well in her home where she has lived at the Bronx Zoo for more than 50 years. She chooses to enjoy multiple areas of her habitat and engages with her keepers and multiple enrichment activities. Following the recent loss of Happy, Patty is now the only elephant at the Bronx Zoo, and we understand the concern many people have about her future. Like everyone who has followed Patty's life over the past five decades, she is beloved to us and our focus is on one question: What is best for Patty. The Bronx Zoo has cared for Patty since 1973. Some of her current keepers have worked with her for nearly 30 years and know her personality, behavior, medical history, and individual needs better than anyone. We always base the care and wellbeing of all our animals on the individual needs of each animal. In 2006, the WCS Bronx Zoo announced that it would conclude its elephant program over time. That decision reflected our commitment to focus even more of our resources on protecting elephants in the wild through one of the world's largest elephant conservation programs, while also honoring our responsibility to provide lifelong care for the elephants already living at the Bronx Zoo. That commitment remains unchanged today. WCS runs the largest field conservation program in the world which includes working across elephant ranges in Africa and Asia. During our 131 years of history, we have helped create over 65 protected and conserved areas for elephants across their range (at least 45 in Africa and at least 20 in Asia). In addition, we created the 96 Elephants campaign which resulted in coordinating hundreds of partners to ban the sale of elephant ivory in the United States and elsewhere. As we determine what is best for Patty, we are carefully evaluating every option based on science, veterinary expertise, and her individual welfare, not public pressure or applying ‘a one size fits all’ for Patty’s care: This isn't about choosing a place; it’s about choosing what's best for Patty. Our evaluation includes several factors: Putting Patty's welfare first. Every decision begins and ends with what is best for Patty as an individual animal. Relying on the experts who know her best. Patty's future will be determined by the zoo's veterinarians and elephant care professionals, who have decades of experience caring for her and expertise in elephant behavior and welfare. Considering all appropriate options. Members of our elephant care team have discussed options with colleagues at other Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) accredited facilities. Our team also recently visited the Association of Zoos & Aquariums accredited Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. Relocation is one option under consideration, but no decision has been made. Carefully weighing the risks of transport. Moving any animal is a complex undertaking and must be carefully planned. Preparations would likely take 12 months or more. Moving a geriatric elephant is especially complicated and carries significant physical and psychological risks. At 57, Patty is approximately 12 years older than the median life expectancy of elephants in North American zoos, and history has shown that some older elephants have died following transport. Moving a 57-year-old elephant isn't simply transportation; it's a major medical and behavioral decision with real risks and no guaranteed outcome. Recognizing that relocation is not simply a move. Transport is dependent on an elephant voluntarily participating in months of training to acclimate to each of the steps required in transporting them from one location to a new environment. Even if relocation is successful, there is no guarantee an older elephant will be compatible with or accepted by other elephants. Patty has historically bonded well with some   elephants but not with others. Ensuring continuity of exceptional care. Patty currently receives specialized, 24-hour veterinary care designed specifically for aging animals. Maintaining continuity of care is an important consideration in any decision. Social opportunity is an important component of elephant welfare, but it is only one factor. Decisions involving geriatric elephants must also consider age, health, behavioral history, transport risk, continuity of care, and the likelihood of successful integration with other elephants. While sanctuaries are often discussed as a straightforward solution, some geriatric elephants living in sanctuaries are housed individually because of their medical or behavioral needs. The Bronx Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), whose professional standards require that decisions regarding animals in their care must be made by qualified zoo and veterinary professionals based on the needs of the individual animal. Those standards exist to ensure animals receive the highest level of professional care. Our commitment is to continue making decisions about Patty based on science, experience, and her individual welfare. Any decision regarding the care of the zoo’s animals, including Patty, made by an outside entity, including by legislation or the courts, could result in the losing of accreditation.  drosen@wcs.org Tue, 07 Jul 2026 11:24:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:26395 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26370/New-Open-Access-Platform-Gives-Conservationists-Better-Ways-to-Measure-and-Improve-Results.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=26370 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=26370&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26370/New-Open-Access-Platform-Gives-Conservationists-Better-Ways-to-Measure-and-Improve-Results.aspx BRONX, NY, July 7, 2026—Conservation practitioners around the world now have free access to a wide variety of practical methods for measuring conservation success with the launch of COMET, the Conservation Monitoring Effectiveness Techniques platform. While practitioners can choose from a wide range of monitoring methods, there has until now been no centralized, field-tested guide to which are most effective and cost-efficient in different contexts. For decades, conservation organizations have invested enormous resources in planning and implementing programs to protect wildlife and wild places. Yet the field has lacked a centralized, freely available source of practical guidance on the most cost-effective ways to gather the data needed to evaluate those programs and adapt conservation strategies over time. COMET helps to fill that gap. “We have limited resources for conservation, and monitoring can be expensive and time-consuming” said Dr. Gautam Surya, WCS Conservation Planning Scientist, who led the COMET team. “By enabling the people working on the ground—and in the water—to monitor outcomes cost-effectively, we can ensure that they have the information they need to make conservation more effective and equitable.”  COMET was developed through the Conservation Measures Partnership (CMP)—a collaboration of leading conservation organizations dedicated to improving conservation practice worldwide—with support from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and was led by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), a member of CMP.  Through an extensive process, the COMET team consulted practitioners from more than 30 member organizations, alongside government agencies, universities, companies, NGOs, and Indigenous Peoples and local community organizations working on conservation monitoring worldwide. The result is a platform grounded in real-world field experience and freely available, covering species populations, habitats, threats and pressures, and human well-being.   “Conservation is most effective when we can learn across disciplines, communities, and ways of knowing.” said Dr. Kara Stevens, Senior Strategy, Learning and Evaluation Officer, Environment Program, Walton Family Foundation and a member of the CMP board. “COMET reflects that principle by creating a space where practitioners can efficiently identify how others are monitoring progress toward outcomes, discover approaches they may not have otherwise considered, and draw on scientific, local, and traditional knowledge to inform their work. In doing so, COMET is intended to help build a stronger culture of learning and adaptation across the conservation community.” A recognition of the importance of Traditional Knowledge for conservation monitoring is a major feature of COMET. The platform provides dedicated resources and guidance to help conservation practitioners engage with Traditional Knowledge holders including Indigenous Peoples and local communities in the context of conservation monitoring, recognizing that these knowledge systems often represent generations of careful, place-based observations. The Traditional Knowledge portion of the project was led by Dr. Xiaoyue Li, a professor at Southern Methodist University. “Conservation monitoring, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities have too often been brought in only as data points or data collectors for projects designed elsewhere,” said Dr. Li. “But communities are rights holders and knowledge producers, and the evidence is clear that conservation is more effective and more sustainable when it’s done with them rather than on them. COMET gives practitioners concrete and field-tested ways to engage communities as partners and to respect their right to consent and to govern their own knowledge.”   “Conservation practitioners have much to gain from standing on the shoulders of lessons learnt across the field, and from managing adaptively. Both rely on sound data,” said Dave Verkaik, Head of Business Intelligence for African Parks. “Yet while initiatives such as Conservation Evidence and the Conservation Standards catalogue what works and set out how to plan and adapt, there’s been no equivalent resource for the measurement methods both depend on. Over time, I hope to see the library grow and the sector close gaps for important ecological, social and biocultural indicators that currently lack a tried-and-tested method.” As pressure on the natural world grows, the ability to measure what works, and act on it, is what turns effort into real outcomes for nature and people. Conservation practitioners are invited to submit their own monitoring methods at this link for review and potential inclusion in the repository, ensuring that COMET continues to expand and reflect the latest field innovations from the global conservation community. ### About the Conservation Measures Partnership (CMP) The Conservation Measures Partnership (CMP) is a global collaboration of NGOs, government agencies, private businesses, and other conservation organizations working to improve how conservation is planned, managed, and measured. Guided by the Conservation Standards, CMP members share knowledge, develop practical tools, and promote best practices that help conservation practitioners measure results and adapt strategies over time. Established in 2002 by leading conservation organizations seeking a common approach to monitoring and evaluation, CMP continues to advance innovation through collaboration, enabling conservation teams worldwide to learn from shared experience and improve conservation effectiveness. ipayano@wcs.org Tue, 07 Jul 2026 10:00:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:26370 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26384/WCS-Expresses-Profound-Concern-and-Alarm-Regarding-the-Recent-Detention-of-Wildlife-Conservationists-in-Iran.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=26384 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=26384&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26384/WCS-Expresses-Profound-Concern-and-Alarm-Regarding-the-Recent-Detention-of-Wildlife-Conservationists-in-Iran.aspx New York, July 2, 2026 – The following statement has been issued by the Wildlife Conservation Society: “We at WCS express profound concern and alarm regarding the recent reported detention of wildlife conservationists Sepideh Kashani and Houman Jowkar, along with Sepideh’s sister Sima Kashani in Tehran on July 1, 2026. “Mr. Jowkar and his wife Ms. Kashani are among the world's leading experts on the critically endangered Asiatic cheetah. Through their pioneering work with the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation, they dedicated years to studying and preserving the few remaining individuals of this unique population. "Mr. Jowkar for many years headed the government’s cheetah conservation effort and among his many actions to highlight the importance of the species for Iran, he led an effort to emblazon the Asiatic cheetah on the jerseys of Iran’s national football team, seen by billions around the world in the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup.  Arrested in 2018 for their conservation work and finally pardoned in 2024, the international scientific community welcomed the opportunity for these dedicated specialists to safely resume their vital work. “We respectfully call upon the relevant authorities in the Islamic Republic of Iran to clarify the legal status and current whereabouts of Ms. Kashani, Mr. Jowkar, and Sima Kashani immediately. We urge authorities to ensure they have immediate, unrestricted access to legal representation, family contact and medical care; we understand that Sima Kashani suffers from a chronic medical condition that requires special care.  “Houman, Sepideh and Sima have a deep love for their country and its unique natural heritage. WCS respectfully calls for their prompt release so they may return to their families.” ### nMoss@wcs.org Thu, 02 Jul 2026 16:47:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:26384 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26383/New-Study-Screwworm-Fight-Must-Include-Wildlife-Surveillance.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=26383 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=26383&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26383/New-Study-Screwworm-Fight-Must-Include-Wildlife-Surveillance.aspx NEW YORK, NY, July 2, 2026 — A newly published study in Conservation Biology warns that efforts to control New World screwworm will be weakened if governments focus primarily on legal livestock production systems while overlooking illegal cattle movements, wildlife, protected areas, and remote landscapes where infestations can go undetected. The paper, “Screwworm re-emergence, illegal cattle movements, and emerging risks to wildlife and protected areas in Mesoamerica,” was authored by scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and partner organizations. The study highlights how illegal and unregulated cattle movements remain an under-recognized driver of regional screwworm spread while also creating exposure risks for wildlife populations and protected areas that often fall outside traditional surveillance systems.  New World screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals. It can affect livestock, pets, wildlife, and, more rarely, people. The paper comes as U.S. officials respond to confirmed New World screwworm cases in Texas and New Mexico and seek to prevent further spread. Current response efforts include the release of sterile male flies that mate with wild females but produce no offspring, a technique that helped eradicate New World screwworm from the United States in the 1960s and 1970s. Many corridors used for illegal cattle movement pass through or alongside protected areas, creating opportunities for screwworm to reach wildlife populations that are rarely monitored. Illegal cattle production and trade are leading drivers of deforestation and habitat degradation in Mesoamerica, placing additional pressures on wildlife populations already facing multiple environmental stressors. Although the population-level impacts of screwworm on wildlife remain poorly understood, the authors note that infestations have been documented in species of conservation concern and that insufficient wildlife surveillance limits understanding of potential consequences for biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and conservation outcomes. “Much of the discussion around screwworm has understandably focused on livestock production,” said Dr. Lucy Keatts, Associate Director of WCS’s Health Program and lead author of the study. “Our study highlights two additional gaps: the role of illegal cattle movements in facilitating spread and the limited information available on wildlife infections and impacts. Addressing both will be important for effective long-term control.” The study documents confirmed, probable, and suspected wildlife infestations in Mesoamerica, including cases involving species of conservation concern. Because wildlife are not routinely inspected like livestock, infections may persist undetected in remote areas, limiting the effectiveness of surveillance and response efforts. The authors warn that protected areas can become surveillance blind spots despite serving as important reservoirs of biodiversity. They argue that wildlife-health monitoring should be incorporated into national and regional screwworm response plans as part of a broader One Health approach linking animal health, ecosystem health, and human well-being. Added Rony García-Anleu, Director of the Biological Research Department for WCS Guatemala and a co-author of the study, “We have been monitoring wildlife populations since 2004 using camera traps in this area. We have seen wounded animals before, but these types of lesions started only after screwworm arrived to the country.”  “The risk is not that wildlife are driving the outbreak,” said Dr. Chris Walzer, Executive Director of WCS’s Health Program and a co-author of the paper. “The risk is that we lack sufficient information on where infestations are occurring, how long they persist, and what impacts they may be having in wildlife populations. Stopping illegal cattle movement remains essential, but a serious One Health response must also include wildlife-health surveillance, protected-area monitoring, and information sharing across sectors and borders.” “Sterile flies were successful, but now they will probably need our help,” said Dr. Diego Montecino-Latorre, WCS Health Program scientist and co-author of the paper. “Today, there are several times more cattle in Mexico and Central America than there were during the original eradication campaign, providing abundant opportunities for screwworm to persist and spread. We will need effective surveillance to tell responders where the risk is moving. Camera traps, field patrols, hunters, veterinarians, and wildlife-health networks can help turn scattered observations into an early-warning system.” The authors emphasize that wildlife should not be scapegoated as the source of the current crisis. Instead, they argue that wild animals can serve as victims, sentinels, and indicators of where screwworm risk may be emerging. Substantial knowledge gaps remain regarding population-level and ecosystem-level consequences, and improved wildlife surveillance would support both disease-control objectives and conservation decision-making.  The study calls for stronger coordination among livestock, wildlife, conservation, public-health, and law-enforcement agencies to improve surveillance and response. The authors argue that New World screwworm is inherently a One Health challenge, requiring collaboration across sectors to understand transmission dynamics, identify emerging risks, and implement effective control measures. "We cannot effectively manage what we do not measure," Keatts said. "Improving surveillance in wildlife and protected areas would help us detect infestations earlier, better understand their impacts, and support more effective regional control efforts. That will require stronger coordination across animal health, wildlife, conservation, and law-enforcement agencies, because no single sector can address this challenge alone." About the Study The paper, “Screwworm re-emergence, illegal cattle movements, and emerging risks to wildlife and protected areas in Mesoamerica,” was published in Conservation Biology. Authors include Lucy Keatts, Luis Fernando Guerra, Jeremy Radachowsky, Jorge Rojas-Jiménez, Rony Garcia-Anleu, Jonathan Pérez-Flores, Chris Walzer, and Diego Montecino-Latorre. ipayano@wcs.org Thu, 02 Jul 2026 12:29:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:26383 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26356/Save-The-Fish-for-Dinner.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=26356 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=26356&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26356/Save-The-Fish-for-Dinner.aspx New York, NY – June 23, 2026 — Today, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) returns with Year 2 of its Petition Paper campaign, expanding its reach across select New York City restaurants to drive awareness and action around the protection of Hudson Canyon—a vital underwater ecosystem located just 100 miles offshore from here. The campaign aims to generate support for designating Hudson Canyon a National Marine Sanctuary. The campaign invites New Yorkers to engage with Hudson Canyon in the places they already connect with seafood—at the table—supported by a robust, integrated media rollout across out-of-home, radio, digital, and social channels that launched on World Ocean’s Day (June 8), bringing the story to audiences across the region. Beginning June 23 and continuing throughout the summer, participating restaurant partners will bring the campaign to life on their menus, featuring Hudson Canyon “Catch of the Day” dishes and seasonal seafood offerings sourced from the region—including black sea bass, scallops, squid, tilefish, and more. Guests will receive a custom-designed card alongside their meal, sharing the story of Hudson Canyon and inviting them to take action via a QR code linked directly to the petition. Participating restaurant & hospitality partners include: Greenpoint Fish & Lobster - 114 Nassau Avenue, Brooklyn  Quique Crudo- 27 Bedford Street. ** Thursdays - Sundays only (Michelin Chef)  Crave Fish Bar - UES (1462 Second Ave), UWS (428 Amsterdam), Midtown (945 Second Ave) and Crave Sushi (947 Second Avenue) Point Seven - 200 Park Ave (was on Top Chef Masters)  Ursula Cafe - 387A Nostrand AveBedStuy/Brooklyn  (James Beard nom chef)  Additionally, WCS has teamed up with Billion Oyster Project on its summer Oyster Socials, highlighting the vital connection between the Hudson Estuary—a  critical nursery habitat for many ocean fish species—and the Hudson Canyon. The events will feature oysters from New York-area oyster farmers alongside seafood sourced from the Hudson Canyon, celebrating the region's interconnected marine ecosystem. The campaign will also be featured at 8it’s Family Meal this month, a monthly gathering of New York’s leading chefs, restaurateurs and hospitality professionals, allowing WCS conservation experts to engage directly with some of the industry's most influential voices on the importance of sustainable sourcing and the protection of Hudson Canyon. Across every activation, the message remains the same: Save the Fish for Dinner. “We want to meet people where they are—and for seafood lovers, that’s at the table” said John F. Calvelli, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs at WCS. “Hudson Canyon supports many of the fish we eat, and the jobs that rely on them. This campaign helps make the connection between our dinner plates and ocean protection clear—and actionable.” Watch the campaign video featuring Greenpoint Fish’s owner Vinny Milburn, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how fishmongers, chefs, and consumers alike can play a role in protecting the waters that sustain them.  Another video, featuring Kerry Heffernan of Crew Hospitality Group’s Grand Banks, offers the chef’s point of view on why we should protect Hudson Canyon and “save the fish for dinner.” “The future of seafood starts with protecting the ocean it comes from,” said Milburn. “This campaign is about recognizing that we’re all stakeholders in ocean health - whether we fish, sell, or simply enjoy a good meal.” "As a recreational fisherman, I have been lucky enough to fish the Hudson Canyon many times over the last three decades. The bounty and diversity of marine life I have witnessed is nothing short of astounding. As part of the team at CREW, we have had the privilege of being mindful stewards of this resource, collaborating with WCS and observing the regulations that have preserved this natural wonder so close to our restaurants in NYC. We are proud to feature responsibly harvested tuna and tilefish on our menus and hope that our efforts help preserve this fishery for generations to come," Chef Kerry Heffernan, CREW Culinary Director. From Canyon to the Coast WCS and its New York Aquarium have worked for decades to study and raise awareness about the New York Bight, from Cape May, NJ to Montauk, NY. The New York Aquarium’s Ocean Wonders: Sharks! exhibit educates visitors about local marine life, the threats they face, and how individuals can take action. Hudson Canyon is the largest submarine canyon along the Atlantic Coast, home to a remarkable array of wildlife including whales, sea turtles, sharks, and cold-water coral. The area is also a hub for recreational fishing, eco-tourism, and sustainable seafood, supplying countless markets and restaurants across the Tri-State area. About the Petition Paper Campaign The campaign seeks to drive thousands of signatures to petition NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) for a National Marine Sanctuary designation for Hudson Canyon, (Link to petition HERE), demonstrating broad public support to protect wildlife, sustain local fisheries, and ensure an abundant, responsibly sourced seafood future for communities across New York and New Jersey. The campaign builds upon WCS's longstanding efforts to protect and raise awareness of Hudson Canyon. WCS nominated the area for consideration as a National Marine Sanctuary and continues to lead a broad coalition of scientists, conservation organizations, fishing interests, businesses and community stakeholders advocating for its designation. At the same time, WCS supports a Sanctuary designation that safeguards the region's extraordinary marine biodiversity while ensuring a future for sustainable fisheries under existing regulatory authorities. Created by award-winning agency McKinney and powered by Horizon Media and Genuine Overkill, the Petition Paper campaign takes inspiration from the longstanding tradition of butcher paper in fish markets. Designed in partnership with Cylndr Studios, the limited-edition prints merge the Japanese art of gyotaku with nostalgic fish market graphics, transforming a familiar format into a compelling call to action. This year, the campaign earned a Bronze Effie and Silver Clio Award, recognizing McKinney and WCS for their creative approach to conservation storytelling and demonstrating excellence and innovation in marketing and advertising. ### ipayano@wcs.org Tue, 23 Jun 2026 14:43:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:26356 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26308/WCS-Says-Strong-Commitments-at-11th-Our-Ocean-Conference-Must-Now-Be-Turned-Into-Action.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=26308 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=26308&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26308/WCS-Says-Strong-Commitments-at-11th-Our-Ocean-Conference-Must-Now-Be-Turned-Into-Action.aspx MOMBASA, KENYA (June 18, 2026) – The following statement was released today by the Wildlife Conservation Society at the 11th Our Ocean Conference (OOC11) in Mombasa, Kenya. Said Dr. Susan Lieberman, WCS Vice President of International Policy: “This week exceeded our expectations in terms of advancing strong commitments for actions that have tremendous potential to truly lead to equitable and effective protection and conservation of ocean ecosystems, for the benefit of biodiversity and the local communities around the globe that depend on that biodiversity and healthy marine environments. “Now the hard work must begin, or continue, to truly protect our ocean, including from over-fishing that harms marine life and local livelihoods, as well as illegal and destructive fishing practices—so that we can achieve restoration and protection of the ecological integrity of marine ecosystems. “WCS helped lead and launch several major global initiatives over the course of the week, including: launch of a landmark scientific report on climate-resilient coral reefs and the signing of a commitment to protect those reefs by five additional governments; and announcement of new commitments by several African governments to deliver on area-based conservation along their coasts, including the gazettement of new marine protected areas. WCS and partners also proudly convened the expansion of the Women Ocean Guardians coalition, formerly in Latin America and the Caribbean, into Africa—where women leaders from 11 African countries, who gathered on the Kenyan coast in the days prior, came together and issued a declaration calling for dignity, justice, and healthy oceans.   “WCS is committed to drive support directly to the front lines of ocean conservation—whether that’s leveraging resources directly into to coastal communities and women leaders or using the latest global climate change science to identify and protect the world’s most climate-resilient coral reefs.  “We see this Conference, only 4 years away from the 2030 deadline for fulfilment of the government commitments of the Global Biodiversity Framework, as a vital milestone along the urgent path towards area-based conservation, including the #30x30 target. However, protected and conserved areas must be more than lines on a map, and must truly be representative, based on sound science and local knowledge, and managed equitably and effectively. Many of the commitments this week will help reach the full potential of that target. “While we recognize the critical value of the #30x30 target, we continue to urge governments, donors and partners not to forget about implementation of the other 22 targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework. We highlight particular attention to inclusive and equitable marine spatial planning (GBF Target 1), actions to halt marine species extinction and endangerment (GBF Target 4), ensuring that all use and trade in marine species is legal, sustainable, and safe (GBF Target 5), reducing pollution risks (GBF Target 7), increasing climate-resilience (GBF Target 8), ensuring equitable, gender-inclusive participation in ocean governance and decision-making (GBF Target 22), and more. These are all core elements of our WCS 2030 Marine Conservation Strategy. “Commitments and promises are not an end in themselves, but a milestone along a critical path. WCS stands shoulder-to-shoulder with our government and community partners, in working to turn these promises into action. The ocean cannot wait; the time is now. We look forward to reporting on achievements and on increased ecological integrity of marine ecosystems at the next Our Ocean Conference in 2027, in Canada.” ipayano@wcs.org Thu, 18 Jun 2026 17:06:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:26308 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26307/9-African-Governments-Announce-New-Marine-Protections-at-Our-Ocean-Conference.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=26307 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=26307&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26307/9-African-Governments-Announce-New-Marine-Protections-at-Our-Ocean-Conference.aspx MOMBASA, KENYA (June 18, 2026) – Nine African governments announced new commitments to ocean protection this week at the 11th Our Ocean Conference (OOC11) in Mombasa, Kenya, marking concrete progress toward the global goal of effectively and equitably protecting 30 percent of the world's ocean ecosystems by 2030. The announcements – spanning newly gazetted marine protected areas (MPAs), national conservation strategies, new planning frameworks, and commitments to develop new MPAs – signal a shift from pledge to action across the continent. "WCS works across Africa as a partner, convener, and technical advisor for many of the countries that presented commitments this week at Our Ocean. What we presented is the result of years of work by governments and communities to translate ambition into action. It’s a celebration of these efforts and an opportunity to build momentum and learn from the many positive examples from the continent," said Dr. Jean Mensa, Marine Program Director at WCS Tanzania. "Each of these announcements reflects a different stage of the conservation process, and together they demonstrate what sustained, collaborative effort can achieve." Tanzania formalized two significant milestones. The North-East and South-East Marine Conservation Areas off Pemba, Zanzibar – committed to at last year's UN Ocean Conference – have now been officially gazetted, together spanning 1,300 km² of mixed-use zones, including climate-resilient coral reefs and an Important Shark and Ray Area.  Tanzania also committed to begin the process of designating Kilwa MPA, a proposed area of between 1,000 and 2,500 km² that would protect 180 km² of climate-resilient coral reefs, an Important Shark and Ray Area, and an Important Marine Mammal Area. Management would have positive spillover effects for up to 150,000 people across 30 communities, including those surrounding Kilwa Kisiwani, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Mozambique presented its plans for a National Marine Conservation Strategy, an ambitious, long-term framework for area-based ocean protection. The country reaffirmed its plan to advance the strategy, move it through final review, and progress towards implementation. Madagascar committed to converting five MPAs – Sorkay, Tandavandriva Nosy Be, Ria i Androy (Atimo Vatae), Baie de Diego, and Mer d'Émeraude – from temporary to permanent status, with gazettement anticipated by 2028. Together the areas span 13,890 km², protect climate-resilient coral reefs, two Important Marine Mammal Areas, two Important Shark and Ray Areas, and would benefit more than 230,000 people. The project is a joint effort of committed partners and stakeholders, under the leadership of the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development. Kenya committed to finalizing the country’s draft marine conservation, restoration, and governance regulations. The regulations will include provisions for the recognition and support of community-led Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs), among other mechanisms, providing a clear pathway towards the 30x30 goal through inclusive conservation efforts. Gabon announced the launch of a marine spatial planning process aimed at achieving 30 percent ocean protection by 2027, to be supported by a blue bond financing mechanism. “Coastal African communities rely on often dwindling natural resources,” said Tanguy Nicolas, Africa Marine Technical Specialist for Fauna & Flora. “Governments must balance conservation, economic growth, and climate change. The solution must put local communities at the centre, letting them manage coastal ecosystems and benefit economically. The WIO OECM policy brief offers a clear way to make this happen.” ### ipayano@wcs.org Thu, 18 Jun 2026 14:44:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:26307 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26306/African-Women-Ocean-Guardians-Step-onto-the-World-Stage-6-Coral-Triangle-Nations-Join-Global-Commitment.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=26306 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=26306&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26306/African-Women-Ocean-Guardians-Step-onto-the-World-Stage-6-Coral-Triangle-Nations-Join-Global-Commitment.aspx MOMBASA, KENYA (June 18, 2026) – At the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, the Women Ocean Guardians coalition today announced its expansion into Africa. Twenty-six women – protected area managers, fishers, and coastal community leaders from 11 African nations – gathered on the Kenyan coast in the days prior, coming together for the first time as an African collective and issuing a declaration for dignity, justice, and healthy oceans.  They were joined by women leaders from the Latin America and Caribbean group, the founding hub of the Women Ocean Guardians, who crossed an ocean to stand in solidarity and forge the first links of a truly global network. The six member countries of the Coral Triangle Initiative also signed the Voluntary Commitment, bringing total signatory governments to 14. “We are not defined by the challenges we face; we are defined by the solutions we create,” said Dr. Ebinimi Ansa, a coastal leader in the Women Ocean Guardians group from Nigeria. “United as Women Ocean Guardians, we are shaping a future of dignity, justice, and healthy oceans for all.” The African Women Ocean Guardians Declaration, issued following a two-day workshop on the coast of southern Kenya, speaks directly to the realities facing millions of women across more than 30,500 kilometers of African coastline. The declaration calls on governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector to take concrete action across four areas: addressing gender-based violence in coastal communities;  guaranteeing safe and dignified working conditions;  securing healthcare and reproductive rights for marine-coastal women; and  dismantling the structural barriers that keep women out of ocean governance and decision-making. Representing women from freshwater to coastal ecosystems across 11 countries, the declaration makes clear that women are not simply beneficiaries of ocean policy – they are its architects. The convening and declaration represent the Women Ocean Guardians initiative's formal expansion beyond Latin America and the Caribbean, where the movement first launched in 2024. The initiative, co-led by WCS, Conservation International, and the Global Environment Facility, is now extending its reach into Africa and Southeast Asia and the Pacific, building on a GEF-supported project to scale women-led marine action globally. "Women Ocean Guardians is about recognizing that inclusive ocean governance is not an option – it is a necessity,” said Pamela Castillo, Director of the Marine 30x30 program at WCS. “It is about understanding that the knowledge, leadership, resilience, and innovation of women are among the most powerful yet underutilized forces for ocean conservation. And, it is about ensuring that the women who have protected these ecosystems for generations are no longer seen as beneficiaries of change, but as architects of it. Together, we are building a community of women united by a shared purpose – one that crosses borders, cultures, and oceans, and believes that protecting our blue planet requires all voices, all knowledge systems, and all hands working together.” Adding to the momentum, new support from six Coral Triangle nations represented through the Coral Triangle Initiative – Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste – to the Women Ocean Guardians Voluntary Commitment reflects growing support for gender-inclusive ocean governance across the Indo-Pacific.  By signing, these governments join a growing roster pledging to embed gender equity in national ocean and biodiversity plans, elevate women into decision-making roles across marine governance bodies, support financing mechanisms for women-led conservation and climate-resilient livelihoods, promote leadership and technical capacity among coastal women, and strengthen monitoring frameworks with transparent, equity-focused accountability systems. “We know that true resilience lies in the hands of grassroots women leaders… who safeguard biodiversity, and strengthen climate resilience every day,” said Christovel Rotinsulu, Deputy Executive Director of Program Services for the Coral Triangle Initiative. “Empowering women is central to achieving resilient ecosystems, sustainable fisheries, and inclusive governance.” “The launch we have witnessed today illustrates something important: Global agreements do not implement themselves. They require leadership, partnerships and people willing to turn ambition into action,” said Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN). “Whether we speak about the Global Biodiversity Framework, the BBNJ Agreement, or the Sustainable Development Goals, success ultimately depends on people and partnerships that bring them to life. The Women Ocean Guardians Initiative demonstrates how regional action can contribute to global progress and how women’s leadership can help shape a more sustainable and equitable future for our ocean. The Federal Ministry of the Environment in Germany is proud to support this growing movement and the women leaders driving it forward.” Since its launch at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, the Women Ocean Guardians initiative has grown from a regional platform into a global movement. The Voluntary Commitment has now secured endorsement from 14 national governments and more than 29 organizations and multilateral partners.  With convening processes underway in Africa and expansion into Southeast Asia and the Pacific planned, the initiative is building the infrastructure to ensure that women's leadership is not an afterthought in ocean policy, but its foundation. This work was made possible through a grant from Oak Foundation: “We care that Oak’s grants reach communities in a flexible way, to support the ecosystem, connect and build solidarity, and uplift the self-organizing efforts of women ocean guardians globally,” said Imani Fairweather Morrison, Environment Program Officer for the Oak Foundation. ### ipayano@wcs.org Thu, 18 Jun 2026 13:24:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:26306 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26298/5-Countries-Join-Global-Commitment-to-Protect-Climate-Resilient-Coral-Reefs-Bringing-Total-Signatories-to-20.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=26298 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=26298&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26298/5-Countries-Join-Global-Commitment-to-Protect-Climate-Resilient-Coral-Reefs-Bringing-Total-Signatories-to-20.aspx MOMBASA, KENYA (June 17, 2026) – At the 11th Our Ocean Conference (OOC11) in Mombasa, Kenya, 5 new governments signed the High-Level Climate-Resilient Coral Reef Commitment, the first global pledge to protect the world’s climate-resilient coral reefs – reefs with the greatest potential to survive climate change and serve as the foundation for future reef recovery.  The new signatories bring the total coalition to 20 reef countries across all coral regions, expanding a movement first launched at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France in June 2025. Today, WCS was invited to take the stage at the official event plenary to present the commitment.  Coral reefs are among the most threatened ecosystems on Earth. They cover less than 0.1% of the ocean floor yet support around 25% of all marine life, generate up to $2.7 trillion each year in ecosystem services, and underpin the food security, livelihoods, and coastal protection of nearly 1 billion people. Despite their importance, only 28% of identified climate-resilient reefs currently fall within protected or conserved areas – underscoring the urgency of the growing coalition. “With 20 coral reef countries now signing the high-level commitment, governments are embracing science-based action and making a statement that there is renewed hope for coral reefs,” said Dr. Susan Lieberman, WCS’s Vice President of International Policy. “WCS stands shoulder to shoulder with our partners to deliver the best scientific, technical, and financial support to ensure governments can maximize actions to protect these reefs in national biodiversity, climate, and other strategies and actions. We look forward to bringing on more signatories ahead of CBD CoP17 in October and UNFCCC COP31 in November – landmark moments for the ocean and a chance to show leadership in saving the most resilient coral reefs – for the sake of biodiversity and humanity’s future.” The new government signatories coincide with the launch of Our Reefs, Our Future, a global campaign from WCS, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) calling on governments to recognize climate-resilient reefs as critical for ocean biodiversity and as economic infrastructure for people, food security, and coastal resilience. The global initiative uses new science to identify which reefs are most likely to survive the impacts of climate change and coral bleaching as a guide for where protections can have the greatest long-term impact. "Our reefs are not postcards. They are lifelines – sustaining over 500,000 livelihoods along Kenya's coast alone,” said Dr. Eng. Festus Ng'eno, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change. “That is why this Commitment cannot be a signal of good intentions; it must be a binding signal of political will. We need a financing revolution: reef conservation funded by a budget line, not a brochure, and treated as climate investment, not charity. Our destinies are tied to the future of this ecosystem. This is the turning point – the moment we stop mourning what we've lost, and start funding what we can still save." By signing, governments commit to identifying and prioritizing climate-resilient coral reefs in national policies and 30x30 planning, integrating reef protection into national biodiversity and climate frameworks, reducing local pressures like water pollution and destructive fishing, implementing national reef monitoring and action plans, and ensuring community leadership and local knowledge underpin their action for corals. “When a government signs the Coral Commitment, it sends a clear signal – to the global community, to fellow nations, to policymakers, and to funders – that this country is ready and willing to act for its reefs,” said Marie-Céline Piednoir, Global Coordinator for the High-Level Coral Commitment. “But a signature is only the starting point. Our work is also to make sure that signal travels all the way from a global stage down to the water’s edge, so that global ambition ripples into local action, and coastal communities who have always lived alongside these reefs become the ones leading their protection.” The commitment is jointly led by WCS, The Nature Conservancy, WWF Coral Reef Rescue Initiative, and remains open for additional countries to join ahead of upcoming global conferences. Learn more and sign on at coralcommitment.com/protect-the-reef. ### ipayano@wcs.org Wed, 17 Jun 2026 19:50:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:26298 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26295/New-York-Aquariums-Shark-Party-Returns-for-Two-Weekends-of-Family-Fun-and-Conservation.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=26295 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=26295&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26295/New-York-Aquariums-Shark-Party-Returns-for-Two-Weekends-of-Family-Fun-and-Conservation.aspx BROOKLYN, N.Y. — June 17, 2026 — Shark Party, a family-friendly celebration of sharks and marine conservation, will return by popular demand to the New York Aquarium on July 18- 19 and 25-26. The multi-weekend event invites guests to discover the vital role that sharks play in marine ecosystems around the world, and to learn more about these often-misunderstood denizens of the deep. Festivities run from 11 AM-4:30 PM each day and are included with New York Aquarium admission or free for WCS Members.   In the company of the aquarium’s more than 4,500 aquatic animals, Shark Party offers a packed lineup of activities that blend entertainment with conservation education: Animal Experiences Join expert-led Keeper Chats that spotlight the care and feeding of sharks, penguins, sea lions, and harborseals. Watch keepers feed and train another fascinating cartilaginous fish at NEW Cownose Ray Feedings. Witness the adaptations and expert care of California sea lions at Aquatheater Shows. Activities & Interactives Enjoy NEW interactive bubble shows. Dig through sand to uncover ocean treasures at the Nature’s Treasures Table. Show off your moves at a Shark Dance Party with tunes by MC Hammerhead. Dance and sing along to Wildlife Theater performances. Stop by the Shark Survival Station to learn how the New York Aquarium helps sharks thrive here and in their wild habitats. “Meet” sharks around the planet through guided games at Quest Carts. Get artsy with sea-themed crafts, airbrush shark tattoos, and a community mural. Sharks are essential to the healthy balance of marine ecosystems, but many species are threatened by habitat loss and human activity. Through Shark Party’s educational programming, the New York Aquarium helps combat misconceptions and build support for shark conservation. Plan your visit and purchase tickets at NYAquarium.com/plan-your-visit. Follow the New York Aquarium on social media channels for updates and more: Facebook | Instagram | X. ### jdagostino@wcs.org Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:23:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:26295 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26294/Madagascar-and-Zanzibar-Announce-New-National-Shark-and-Ray-Protections-at-Our-Ocean-Conference.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=26294 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=26294&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26294/Madagascar-and-Zanzibar-Announce-New-National-Shark-and-Ray-Protections-at-Our-Ocean-Conference.aspx MOMBASA, KENYA (June 17, 2026) – At a side event this evening at the Our Ocean Conference, the governments of Madagascar and Zanzibar announced sweeping new national protections for sharks and rays, marking the latest milestone in a decade of conservation progress across East Africa. Sharks and rays are experiencing one of the fastest extinction crises of any vertebrate group on Earth – more than 37% of species are now threatened with extinction, driven largely by overfishing and an international trade that, for decades, went largely unregulated. Over the last decade major gains in international management of these species have begun to change their trajectory, and we’re now seeing countries implement protections at a national and local level. “Sharks are an essential part of healthy ocean ecosystems,” said Luke Warwick, Senior Director of WCS’s Threatened Marine Species program. “This rapidly accelerating global framework of laws, coupled to enforcement and local level conservation action gives us hope we can end the declines of the last half century, and start these ancient predators on the long road to recovery.” Madagascar announced it will offer full national protection for 14 species of sharks and rays under the country’s Wild Fauna Decree, including the Critically Endangered oceanic whitetip shark, as well as whale sharks and manta rays. Zanzibar announced full protection for 34 species in its coastal waters, including hammerhead sharks, thresher sharks, and the endemic Zanzibar guitarfish.  “The actions taken by the Madagascar government to protect these species, among other positive actions, comes at a time when sharks and rays need conservation efforts more than ever,” said Ravaka Ranaivoson, Partnership and Program Development Director for WCS Madagascar. “This milestone highlights Madagascar's commitment to the conservation and sustainable management of its marine resources.” As recently as a decade ago, the global trade in sharks and rays was largely unregulated, and these species were fast running out of time. Today, that trade has rules, those rules are being enforced, and governments around the world are writing them into national law via species protections and the inclusion of shark specific conservation measures in fisheries and protected area laws and designations. The announcements from Madagascar and Zanzibar are the latest proof that momentum, once built, continues to grow. Today’s announcements build on past successes and three years of historic global progress. At CITES CoP20 in November 2025, countries adopted every shark and ray proposal on the table, listing more than 70 species and bringing 96% of the global shark fin trade and 70% of shark and ray meat trade under international regulation for the first time. In total, 180 species are now listed under CITES, with 33 carrying a full commercial trade ban. “From global decisions to local action on the water, the scale and pace of progress in shark conservation is truly remarkable,” said John Mandelman, Executive Director, Shark Conservation Fund. “Yet threatened sharks and rays, and the habitats they depend on, still require the strongest protections. Together, these efforts are creating an essential pathway toward recovery.” The announcements were made at a private reception hosted at the Our Ocean Conference by Shark Conservation Fund in partnership with the governments of Kenya, Tanzania, and Madagascar, and supported by WCS. Learn more: wcs.org/sharks  |  sharkconservationfund.org This work was made possible with generous support from Shark Conservation Fund and the UK’s Biodiversity Challenge Fund, and through partnerships with more than 15 institutions and leading shark and ray scientists and conservation experts worldwide. ### ipayano@wcs.org Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:05:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:26294 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26279/WCS-Honors-Rob-Walton-Former-Chairman-of-Walmart-and-a-Longtime-Conservation-Philanthropist.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=26279 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=26279&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26279/WCS-Honors-Rob-Walton-Former-Chairman-of-Walmart-and-a-Longtime-Conservation-Philanthropist.aspx (From left to right) Alejandro Santo Domingo, Chair of the WCS Board of Trustees; Rob Walton, former chairman of Walmart and a longtime conservation philanthropist; Adam Falk, WCS President and CEO. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) hosted its annual gala at the Central Park Zoo in New York City on June 10, 2026, honoring Walton. Walton has focused his giving on practical, durable efforts to protect wildlife and wild places, strengthen protected-area management, and support partnerships that deliver lasting conservation outcomes. Credit: WCS New York, New York — [June 11, 2026] — The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) hosted its annual gala last night, honoring Rob Walton, former chairman of Walmart and a longtime conservation philanthropist. Walton has focused his giving on practical, durable efforts to protect wildlife and wild places, strengthen protected-area management, and support partnerships that deliver lasting conservation outcomes. Alejandro Santo Domingo, Chair of the WCS Board of Trustees, presented Walton with the WCS Distinguished Leadership in Conservation Award during the gala held at the WCS Central Park Zoo. “Rob Walton understands that preserving nature in Africa is critical—not just for Africa, but also globally: for biodiversity, for climate, and for human well-being and security,” said Alejandro Santo Domingo, Chair of the WCS Board of Trustees. “That’s why the Rob Walton Foundation launched the Africa Keystone Protected Area Partnership in 2025, with the historic goal of mobilizing African leaders, communities, NGOs, and funders to protect 162 of Africa’s most important landscapes by 2035. WCS is honored to be one of the founding partners of this initiative, and to help carry out this important work.” Said Adam Falk, WCS President and CEO: “In the decade ahead we will be doubling down on saving the most important places for nature in Africa, thanks to a transformational commitment from our honoree tonight, Rob Walton, and from many other donors who understand that we’re at a make-or-break moment for African wildlife and wild places.” The Rob Walton Foundation has joined with WCS and other organizations to launch the Africa Keystone Protected Area Partnership, a landmark initiative that unites African governments, communities, and international organizations to secure critical landscapes that are irreplaceable for nature. Walton’s previous leadership roles in conservation include Chair of the Environment Committee of the Walton Family Foundation; Chair of the African Parks Foundation of America; and Chair of Arizona State University’s Global Institute of Sustainability. His contributions to the environment have been recognized with the International Conservation Caucus Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award and Conservation International’s Founder’s Award. Walton said, “I am deeply grateful to WCS for this honor. And I am grateful for the extraordinary work that all of you do every day. It has been one of the great joys of my life to play even a small part in helping to protect our natural world for my children and grandchildren, and to work alongside people so committed to something that is practical, urgent, and profoundly important.” WCS combines its expertise in the field, zoos, and aquarium to achieve its conservation mission. Said Falk: “Through our zoos and aquarium, our science, and our conservation work, we touch millions of lives and help protect the future of wildlife and wild places across the globe…Our approach is simple: we go where nature needs us most. We work in places facing the greatest threats and containing the most important wildlife. We build partnerships with local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and governments at every level. We take on the hard challenges and we stay for the long haul.” WCS leads the world’s largest and longest-running field conservation program, partnering with Indigenous Peoples, local communities, governments, and other NGOs to protect vast, climate-critical, biodiverse landscapes and seascapes in more than 55 countries and all the world’s oceans. WCS also inspires and educates the next generation of conservationists through a robust education program, including international scholarships, and with five iconic wildlife parks in New York City: the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and New York Aquarium.  ### About Rob Walton Rob Walton is a business leader, conservationist, and owner of the Denver Broncos. After serving as a partner at the law firm Conner & Winters, Walton held several positions at Walmart, including senior vice president, corporate secretary, general counsel, and vice chairman of the board, before serving as chairman from 1992 to 2015. His leadership and business acumen contributed to the company’s historic success. He helped take Walmart public in 1970, and as chairman, helped Walmart become a global company at the top of the Fortune 500. Walton is deeply committed to conservation. In 2025, the Rob Walton Foundation partnered with WCS and others to launch the Africa Keystone Protected Area Partnership, mobilizing African leaders, communities, NGOs, and funders to safeguard some of the continent’s most critical landscapes. Walton’s previous leadership roles in conservation include Chair of the Environment Committee of the Walton Family Foundation; Chair of the African Parks Foundation of America; and Chair of Arizona State University’s Global Institute of Sustainability. His contributions to the environment have been recognized with the International Conservation Caucus Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award and Conservation International’s Founder’s Award. A pilot, competitive driver, and cyclist who has completed the Leadville 100, Cape Epic, and multiple Ironman Championships, Walton is a graduate of the University of Arkansas and Columbia University School of Law. About the WCS Gala The WCS Gala is a signature event in New York City’s social season. It brings together WCS supporters, scientists, and philanthropists, all working toward saving the world’s biodiversity for people and wildlife. Set within the spectacular WCS Central Park Zoo, the gala offers an unforgettable experience beneath the stars, surrounded by breathtaking city skyline views. The co-chairs of the gala this year were: Elizabeth and Lee Ainslie, Ayers Wild Cat Conservation Trust, Katie and Peter Dolan, Diana and Joe Dowling, Laura and Peter Grauer, Antonia and George Grumbach, The Halvorsen Family Foundation, Judith Hamilton, John and Jeanet Irwin on behalf of Hillside Capital Incorporated, Charlotte and Alejandro Santo Domingo, Kitty and Stephen Sherrill, Susan Slavik Williams – The Donald Slavik Family Foundation, Loretta Stadler, Priscilla and Ward Woods, Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang; DÉCOR: The Sora Lee; CATERING:Thomas Preti Events to Savor; WEBSITE: www.wcs.org/Gala jdagostino@wcs.org Thu, 11 Jun 2026 13:11:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:26279 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26273/Screwworm-Fight-Will-Fail-Unless-Governments-Shut-Down-Illegal-Cattle-Trafficking.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=26273 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=26273&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26273/Screwworm-Fight-Will-Fail-Unless-Governments-Shut-Down-Illegal-Cattle-Trafficking.aspx New York, June 10, 2026 – Following confirmation by USDA of New World screwworm infestations in cattle, a goat, and a dog in the United States, the following statement was released by Dr. Jeremy Radachowsky, Wildlife Conservation Society Regional Director for Mesoamerica and the Caribbean: “New World screwworm’s arrival to Texas and New Mexico should end the blame game and force a hard look at the root cause of the regional crisis: illegal and unregulated cattle movement through Central America and Mexico. There are currently six confirmed cases of screwworm in the US; 5 reported cases in Texas and one in New Mexico." “Sterile fly releases, traps, quarantines, inspections, and veterinary treatments are essential. But they will not be enough if governments leave open the illicit cattle corridors that move wounded, stressed, and potentially infested animals across borders and around sanitary controls. We cannot sterilize our way out of a trafficking pipeline. “WCS warned in November 2024 that screwworm hotspots were closely mirroring known cattle-smuggling routes from Nicaragua through Honduras and Guatemala into Mexico. These routes do not exist in isolation. They are tied to corruption, land grabbing, deforestation, money laundering, and organized criminal economies that use cattle to occupy protected areas, launder profits, and penetrate legitimate beef supply chains. “This is not simply a US border problem, a Mexico problem, or a Central American problem. It is a regional biosecurity failure with consequences for ranchers, rural economies, wildlife, public health, food security, and taxpayers. The same illicit cattle economy destroying forests and Indigenous territories in Mesoamerica is now helping move a dangerous animal-health threat toward North America’s livestock systems and wildlife. “The United States, Mexico, and Central American governments should urgently align around one regional objective: stop illegal cattle trafficking as a core screwworm-control measure. That means targeted enforcement at known smuggling crossings; real-time animal-movement intelligence; stronger traceability from birth to slaughter; penalties for laundering illegal cattle into legal markets; and sustained investment in community and protected-area monitoring and management where these routes begin. “The technical response must continue. But eradication will fail if the parasite is repeatedly reintroduced through illegal cattle movement. The way to protect livestock, wildlife, rural livelihoods, and taxpayers is to cut off the trafficking routes that allowed this crisis to move so fast and so far.” ### ipayano@wcs.org Wed, 10 Jun 2026 12:56:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:26273 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26271/New-White-Paper-Calls-for-Stronger-Action-on-Live-Wildlife-Trade-to-Prevent-Future-Pandemics.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=26271 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=26271&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26271/New-White-Paper-Calls-for-Stronger-Action-on-Live-Wildlife-Trade-to-Prevent-Future-Pandemics.aspx BRONX, NY, June 9, 2026 — A new white paper released by the International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade warns that the global trade in live wild animals continues to create conditions that can fuel the emergence and spread of zoonotic diseases and future pandemics. The report, “Live Wildlife Trade and Markets,” examines how the capture, transport, sale, and keeping of live wild animals can increase opportunities for pathogens to move between wildlife, domestic animals, and people. The paper was developed by the Alliance's Working Group on Transformative System Change and includes Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Executive Director of Health Dr. Chris Walzer among its authors. The report emphasizes that zoonotic disease risks are not limited to illegal wildlife trade. Legal and illegal trade alike can create conditions that favor pathogen transmission when wild animals are removed from their natural habitats, transported long distances, mixed with other species, and brought into close contact with people. “Pandemic prevention cannot begin after a disease outbreak has already started,” said Dr. Chris Walzer, Executive Director of Health at WCS and a co-author of the report. “The most effective and affordable approach is to reduce the conditions that allow dangerous pathogens to emerge and spread in the first place. That means addressing risks throughout wildlife trade chains before they become global public health crises.” According to the report, nearly three-quarters of emerging infectious diseases affecting people originate in animals, with many originating in wildlife. The authors note that the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the enormous human and economic costs that can result when pathogens cross from animals into people. Beyond millions of deaths worldwide, the pandemic caused trillions of dollars in economic losses and long-term health impacts that continue today. The paper argues that prevention measures are significantly less expensive than responding to outbreaks after they occur. Investments in reducing wildlife-trade-related disease risks, improving surveillance, strengthening regulations, and protecting ecosystems cost a fraction of the losses associated with future pandemics. “The next pandemic is far more likely to be prevented in a forest, a marketplace, or a wildlife trade supply chain than in a hospital,” said Joe Walston, Executive Vice President for Global Conservation at WCS. “This report shows that protecting wildlife and reducing risky trade practices are essential investments in a safer future.” Among the report's key findings is the role of the international exotic pet trade, in which millions of animals move each year through complex international supply chains. The authors note that gaps in monitoring, health screening, and traceability can make it difficult to assess and manage disease risks. The report also concludes that existing legal and regulatory systems are often poorly aligned with disease prevention goals.  To reduce future risks, the authors recommend stronger prevention-oriented policies, including improved surveillance, health screening, quarantine measures, traceability systems, hygiene standards, enforcement, public education, and demand-reduction efforts where wildlife use is discretionary or driven by commercial markets. The report stresses that solutions must be fair and practical, recognizing that some communities rely on wildlife for food security and livelihoods. At the same time, it argues that such considerations should not be used to justify large-scale commercial wildlife trade that increases risks to people, animals, and ecosystems. “Being prepared for the next pandemic is essential, but preparedness should never be confused with prevention,” said Dr. Walzer. “The most effective and cost-efficient approach is to reduce the risk of pathogen spillover before local outbreaks become regional epidemics or global pandemics.” The International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade is a global coalition of experts and organizations working to reduce health risks associated with wildlife trade while supporting biodiversity conservation, animal welfare, and sustainable development. ### ipayano@wcs.org Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:09:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:26271 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26255/Tracking-Snow-Leopard-Movements-Across-Mongolian-Gobis-Low-Elevation-Corridors.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=26255 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=26255&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26255/Tracking-Snow-Leopard-Movements-Across-Mongolian-Gobis-Low-Elevation-Corridors.aspx Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. June 3, 2026—In the fragile eastern edge of the global snow leopard range, where disconnected low elevation mountain habitats intersect with Mongolia’s rapidly expanding infrastructure and changing climate, a team of scientists have placed GPS collars on two adult male snow leopards to help identify and safeguard critical movement corridors across Mongolia’s South Gobi. The collaring is part of a long-term effort by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), in collaboration with the Government of Mongolia, to better understand and protect snow leopard habitats and movement corridors across the far eastern edge of the species’ global range. Here, isolated mountain systems near the Mongolia–China border are separated by vast desert valleys and increasingly pressured by climate change, mining, roads, railways and expanding infrastructure. The collaring took place in remote low-elevation mountain ranges in Umnugobi Province, outside existing protected areas in an extremely dry landscape. Understanding whether this population remains functionally connected to wider snow leopard populations is critical for long-term conservation. Unlike the higher elevation mountain systems more commonly associated with snow leopards elsewhere in High Asia, this fragile Gobi landscape occurs at relatively low elevations of around 1,800 meters and supports snow leopards at naturally low densities. Scientists are increasingly concerned that expanding infrastructure and changing climate could further isolate these mountain habitats and restrict movement between remaining snow leopard populations. The two captured males weighed approximately 42 kg and 39 kg - average weights for healthy adult males - and were safely released back into the mountains following veterinary monitoring and recovery. The initiative benefited from training and knowledge exchange with colleagues from the Snow Leopard Trust and Snow Leopard Conservation Foundation, which have led long-term snow leopard research efforts in Mongolia’s Gobi region. In particular, snow leopard researcher Örjan Johansson provided training and mentorship to the field team on safe snow leopard capture and collaring techniques. Buuveibaatar Bayarbaatar, Senior Scientist at WCS Mongolia and capture lead for the field effort, said: “This is potentially one of the most vulnerable parts of the snow leopard’s range. These mountain systems are naturally isolated, and now increasing infrastructure and human activity across the Gobi may further restrict how snow leopards move between them. If these connections are lost, populations could become increasingly fragmented and vulnerable over time.” The collars add to broader efforts by WCS Mongolia and the Mongolian government to conserve ecological connectivity across the South Gobi landscape. The data from the collars will allow scientists to monitor snow leopard movements almost in real time and better understand how the cats navigate landscapes outside protected areas. Batbayar Galtbalt, Connectivity and Climate Change Manager at WCS Mongolia, said: “This work builds on more than a decade of connectivity research in the South Gobi, including long-term GPS collaring efforts on khulans (Asiatic wild ass) and goitered gazelles across the region. Together, these datasets are helping us understand how wide-ranging wildlife responds to increasing fragmentation and where the remaining functional corridors still exist across the Gobi-steppe ecosystem.” “Local communities are also increasingly concerned about declining numbers of ibex and argali sheep in some parts of the landscape, which are important prey species for snow leopards. Understanding how snow leopards use these isolated mountains is critical if we are to safeguard both the cats and the wider ecosystem they depend on.” WCS Mongolia currently works with six community groups across corridor areas in South Gobi, supporting local herders to participate in wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts across unprotected landscapes. Community members from this area participated directly in the collaring effort alongside WCS scientists and veterinarians. Justine Shanti Alexander, Country Director of WCS Mongolia, said: “South Gobi’s economic landscape is growing at an unprecedented pace. Understanding how snow leopards move through these mountain systems enables data-driven solutions that integrate functional habitat corridors directly into future infrastructure and development plans.” The collaring effort forms part of WCS Mongolia’s broader strategy focused on maintaining wildlife connectivity and ecosystem resilience in the face of climate change. The South Gobi supports globally important populations of snow leopards, khulans, goitered gazelles, and other nomadic wildlife species that depend on large, interconnected landscapes to survive increasingly frequent extreme weather events such as drought and dzud. Mongolia supports the world’s second-largest population of snow leopards and plays a globally important role in the conservation of the species. Snow leopards are currently listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with habitat fragmentation and climate change among the major long-term threats across much of their range. Luke Hunter, Executive Director of WCS’s Big Cats Program, said: “Conserving snow leopards today is not only about protecting isolated protected areas. It is increasingly about maintaining the connected landscapes these cats and their prey rely on to move, adapt, and survive in a rapidly changing world. Mongolia remains a stronghold for the species, and this work is critical to understanding and protecting that future.” # # # ipayano@wcs.org Wed, 03 Jun 2026 13:11:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:26255 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26242/New-York-Aquarium-to-Honor-World-Oceans-Day-with-Weekend-Long-Ocean-Shell-a-bration-Party-for-All-Ages.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=26242 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=26242&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26242/New-York-Aquarium-to-Honor-World-Oceans-Day-with-Weekend-Long-Ocean-Shell-a-bration-Party-for-All-Ages.aspx BROOKLYN, N.Y. — May 30, 2026 — Make a splash this summer at the New York Aquarium’s Ocean Shell-a-bration Weekend, a festive, family-friendly event that celebrates the vital role oceans play in our lives. In honor of World Oceans Day (June 8) and National Oceans Month, the event runs June 6-7 from 11 AM-4:30 PM each day. All festivities are included with New York Aquarium admission and free for WCS Members. Ocean Shell-a-bration Weekend invites guests of all ages to explore more than 4,500 aquatic animals and become advocates for marine conservation through a wave of new entertainment: Join keepers at a Spineless Wonders Chat to learn more about the fascinating invertebrates that call this exhibit home. Add a splash of color with ocean-themed face painting. Dig for ocean artifacts at the Natural Treasures Station sand tables.  Enjoy sensory bubble performances that are fun for the whole family. Test your knowledge of marine life at Ocean Jeopardy and trivia. Other activities will also return due to popular demand: Learn more about penguins, sea lions, and harbor seals at dedicated keeper chats. Witness the adaptations and expert care of California sea lions at Aquatheater Shows. Dance and sing along to Wildlife Theater performances. Join the Ocean Shell-a-bration parade, a festive procession through Aquarium grounds. Add artistic flair with themed crafts and a community mural. Greet and snap photos with costumed characters in the outdoor plaza. Stop by the Aquarium Insider’s Station to learn how experts care for animals at the Aquarium and protect them in the wild. Established by the United Nations in 2008, World Oceans Day highlights critical issues like ocean pollution, overfishing, climate change, and the importance of sustainable ocean practices. On Friday, June 6, guests are also invited to join a Coney Island Beach Sweep to beautify and conserve our shores. The cleanup will take place from 12:00-2:00 PM; participants should meet on the boardwalk in front of the Aquarium. Plan your visit and purchase tickets at NYAquarium.com/plan-your-visit. Follow the New York Aquarium on social media channels for updates and more: Facebook | Instagram | X. ### WCS's New York Aquarium The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) manages the world’s largest network of urban wildlife parks including the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo and New York Aquarium. The Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium is open every day of the year and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).  The aquarium is located on 14 acres along the historic Coney Island boardwalk and beach (602 Surf Ave., Coney Island, NY). Summer hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Fall/winter/spring hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., daily. For directions, information on public events and programs, and other aquarium information, call 718-265-FISH or visit our web site at nyaquarium.com. Plan your visit and purchase tickets at nyaquarium.com/plan-your-visit. Follow the New York Aquarium on social media for updates and more: Facebook | Instagram | X. Members of the media should contact mdixon@wcs.org (347-840-1242) for more information or with questions. jdagostino@wcs.org Sat, 30 May 2026 13:51:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:26242 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26236/Happy-a-Much-Loved-Asian-Elephant-at-the-WCS-Bronx-Zoo-Has-Died.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=26236 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=26236&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26236/Happy-a-Much-Loved-Asian-Elephant-at-the-WCS-Bronx-Zoo-Has-Died.aspx New York, May 27, 2026 — Happy, a 55-year-old Asian elephant at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo, has been euthanized after a period of hospice care during which veterinary and animal care staff managed progressive, age-related health conditions. The following statement was released today by Craig Piper, Interim Bronx Zoo Director and Executive Vice President for Wildlife Conservation Society Zoos and Aquarium: “We are deeply saddened to report that Happy, who was loved by staff and visitors at the Bronx Zoo for nearly 50 years, was euthanized on Tuesday, May 26. Following ongoing assessments of her condition and quality of life, this difficult decision was made when it became clear that her age-related conditions had progressed. She died peacefully surrounded by the keepers, curators, and veterinarians who have cared for her; some for more than 30 years. Their longstanding, deep relationships were invaluable to Happy throughout her life. “The decision to euthanize was made by the zoo’s veterinary and animal care teams and guided solely by Happy’s wellbeing and comfort. Throughout her final weeks, staff closely monitored her behavior, appetite, mobility, and overall health while providing specialized supportive care, pain management, nutritional support, and hydration therapies tailored to her needs. “Making the decision to euthanize an animal is one of the hardest and most heartbreaking responsibilities in animal care, requiring immense compassion and love for the animal. “In addition to degenerative changes associated with advanced age, diagnostic testing and ongoing veterinary evaluations identified signs of potential declining kidney or liver function. Despite comprehensive medical management and supportive therapies, her condition worsened. A necropsy performed today revealed several large inoperable uterine tumors and arthritis (which would be expected in an animal of her age). Our veterinary team believes all these conditions collectively contributed to her decline. “Happy spent her final weeks having access to the elephant barn and outdoor yard spaces where she was most comfortable, with the choice of where she wanted to be. She continued to interact with her keepers during daily routines and remained under the attentive care of the staff members who knew her best. “Happy arrived at the Bronx Zoo in 1977. She was an incredible ambassador for her species, inspiring millions of visitors to care about Asian elephants and their conservation. Keepers who worked closely with Happy over the years recalled that she would often lift her trunk in greeting. She was known for her hearty appetite — happily eating ‘everything,’ with watermelon and strawberries among her favorite treats.  “Patty, the Bronx Zoo’s other Asian elephant, at 57 years old is doing well. Any future decisions regarding Patty’s care and management will continue to be made based on her individual welfare needs and in alignment with Association of Zoos and Aquariums and other professional standards.” ### Legal Proceedings Involving Happy Happy was the subject of years of frivolous litigation brought by anti-zoo activists seeking to have her legally declared a person and removed from the Bronx Zoo. In multiple rulings, New York State courts, including the state’s highest court, ruled in favor of the Bronx Zoo.  As with all animals at the Bronx Zoo, WCS always focused on what was best for Happy’s health and psychological well-being, considering her behavior, history, personality, age, and special needs. Read More: The Misuse the Writ of Habeas Corpus, Potentially Risking the Health and Welfare of Happy, An Elephant at the Bronx Zoo Court Sides with Bronx Zoo in Elephant Case ### nMoss@wcs.org Wed, 27 May 2026 23:21:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:26236 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26231/Bronx-Zoo-Announces-Birth-of-Endangered-Przewalskis-Foal.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=26231 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=26231&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26231/Bronx-Zoo-Announces-Birth-of-Endangered-Przewalskis-Foal.aspx BRONX, N.Y. — May 26, 2026 — The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo welcomed an Endangered Przewalski's foal on April 21. The foal can now be seen among its herd at the zoo’s Wild Asia Monorail exhibit. The Bronx Zoo has played a pivotal role in the conservation of the Przewalski's horse, also known as the Mongolian wild horse — a species that was once considered Extinct in the Wild. Through breeding programs aimed at maintaining a genetically diverse population of the species and through reintroduction efforts, zoo-bred Przewalski’s horses were successfully returned to their native grasslands in China in 1989 and in Mongolia beginning in 1992. The Wildlife Conservation Society provides support to Protected Areas that are home to wild horses in Mongolia. The Przewalski's horse is considered Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is estimated that fewer than 2,000 exist on Earth today. Przewalski's horses are stockier than domestic horses, with shorter legs, characteristic dun coats, and dark, upright manes. Guests can catch a glimpse of the foal from the Bronx Zoo’s Wild Asia Monorail, which winds through the heart of the Asian wilderness. Along the way, seasoned tour guides point out iconic species like red panda, tiger, and greater one-horned rhino, as well as many species rarely seen in zoos, such as markhor and gaur. Plan your visit and purchase tickets at BronxZoo.com/plan-your-visit. Follow the Bronx Zoo on social media channels for updates and more: Facebook | Instagram | X | YouTube. ### ipayano@wcs.org Tue, 26 May 2026 13:30:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:26231