WCS congratulates authorities for clamping down on illegal harvest of sea cucumbers Local communities are helping fend off illegal fishing activities NEW YORK (December 5, 2012) — The Wildlife Conservation Society congratulates Madagascar’s Ministry of Fisheries and local communities around Ankarea Marine Protected Area (MPA) for working together to eliminate illegal sea cucumber harvesting from an area known for highest coral...

During Hurricane Sandy, the ocean surged through the New York Aquarium’s 14 acres. Staff remained on-site throughout the super storm to care for the animals.

Nov. 2, 2012CONTACT: MARY DIXON, mdixon@wcs.org, 347-840-1242 (texts and emails are best) From Jim Breheny, WCS Executive Vice President of Zoos and Aquarium, Director of the Bronx Zoo:We have restored power to three-quarters of the exhbits and holding quarters at the aquarium. Work progresses in restoring power to the last large exhibit building at WCS’s New York Aquarium, Explore the Shore. Progress to restore this power is slower than we anticipated due to the adverse conditions and extensive...

The recent death of "Lonesome George"--the last of our planet's Pinta Island tortoises--reminds us of these creatures' fragility. Although we've been working to conserve turtles and tortoises for decades, risks that include global trade persist. 

First range-wide study of bowhead whale genetics finds much genetic diversity lost during age of commercial whaling Canadian pack ice no barrier to ice-savvy bowheads crossing between oceans NEW YORK (October 18, 2012)—Scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society, the American Museum of Natural History, City University of New York, and other organizations have published the first range-wide genetic analysis of the bowhead whale using hundreds of samples from both modern populations...

WCS and several partner organizations undertook the first range-wide genetic study of bowhead whales, their findings revealing good and bad news. Although these ocean giants expertly navigate seemingly impassable portions of the ocean, the species has lost genetic diversity.

Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 13 -14 Brooklyn, N.Y. – Oct. 12, 2012- The Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium is hosting a full line-up of educational activities to celebrate African Penguin Awareness Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 13 and 14. The goal of the weekend is to help raise awareness about the African black-footed penguin, an endangered species native to the southern tip of Africa. Activities include: Touch Station – Visitors will see and feel penguin b...

Traditional local management called “Panglima Laot” dates back to 17th century Study shows fish and coral health was eight times higher in traditionally managed reefs in Aceh, Indonesia NEW YORK (October 11, 2012)— A new study by the Wildlife Conservation Society and James Cook University says that coral reefs in Aceh, Indonesia are benefiting from a decidedly low-tech, traditional management s...

Young walruses received 24-hour care and rehabilitation at Alaska SeaLife Center Around-the-clock veterinary care will continue at New York Aquarium Brooklyn, N.Y. – Oct. 10, 2012 – Two male walrus calves orphaned off the coast near Barrow, Alaska, will be given new homes at the Indianapolis Zoo and the Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium. Struggling to survive in the wild after losing their mothers, the un...

More Than 1,500 Runners and Walkers Dash Across Coney Island’s Famous Boardwalk at the WCS Run for the Wild in Brooklyn Fiona Bayly, New York, N.Y. – First woman to cross the finish line Alessio Asaro, Queens, N.Y. – First man to cross the finish line City Council Member Domenic M. Recchia, Jr., and Assembly Member Alec Brook-Krasny were in attendance Christopher Ritchey of Manhattan earns top fundr...