The following statement was released today by WCS President and CEO Cristián Samper, who also serves on the U.S. Federal Advisory Council on Wildlife Trafficking. The statement concerns the ivory crush that took place in China today and comments from the Chinese Government on ivory:

   (NEW YORK- May 25, 2015) – The Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA), San Diego Zoo Global and WCS’s Bronx Zoo announced today that working in conjunction with Changsha Zoo, Suzhou Zoo and the China Zoo Association, a female Yangtze giant softshell turtle (Rafetus swinhoei)—potentially the last female of her species—has been artificially inseminated. The procedure, which brought together top scientists from China, Australia and the United States, provides a ray of h...

The Indonesian National Police’s Criminal Investigation Division (BARESKRIM MABES POLRI), the Government of Indonesia, and the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Wildlife Crimes Unit (WCU) today announced the seizure of a shipment of pangolins headed to China and valued at approximately 1.8 million US dollars (USD). 

 WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) and the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) announced today that 60 captive-raised Myanmar roofed turtles—a species once thought extinct—have been released into their native habitat in Myanmar. More than 350 villagers, government representatives, and religious leaders attended ceremonies for the release.

A new study led by WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society), University of Montana, Qinghai Forestry Bureau, Keke Xili National Nature Reserve, and other groups finds that climate change and past hunting in the remote Tibetan Plateau is forcing female wild yaks onto steeper and steeper terrain.

New York – Mar. 2, 2015 – Brooklyn just received another 3.5 inches of snow. The WCS Prospect Park Zoo is always a beautiful place to visit no matter the weather. 

The following statement was released by WCS President and CEO Cristián Samper on China's announcement of a one-year ban on ivory imports.

Three Chinese big-headed turtles (Platysternon megacephalum) have hatched at WCS’s Prospect Park Zoo.

 WCS’s (Wildlife Conservation Society) Bronx Zoo received .7 inches of snow today, and earlier this week on Tuesday it received 1 inch. These five photos highlight a few animals enjoying the season’s first snowfall.

WCS’s Wildlife Crimes Unit Assists Ministry in Bust Arrest marks latest enforcement action of Indonesia’s recent national protection of manta rays Indonesia operates largest known shark and ray fisheries on earth NEW YORK (November 12, 2014) – The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia and the WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society’s) Wildlife Crimes Unit announced the largest confiscation of illegal manta ray parts as part of...