WCS conservationists fear the worst for forest elephants in the Democratic Republic of Congo after a new survey shows their numbers in the Okapi Faunal Reserve have taken a dramatic plunge. Ivory poaching is to blame.

Forest elephants could be extinct in DRC within a decade if current slaughter continues NEW YORK ( Feb. 28, 2013 ) — The Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) largest remaining forest elephant population, located in the Okapi Faunal Reserve (OFR), has declined by 37 percent in the last five years, with only 1,700 elephants now remaining, according to wildlife surveys by WCS and DRC officials. WCS scientists warn that if poaching of forest elephan...

“Battle for the Elephants” premieres Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 9 p.m. ET (check local listings) on PBS NEW YORK (February 26, 2013)— The Wildlife Conservation Society is collaborating with the National Geographic Society on the release of the film “Battle for the Elephants,” which premieres Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 9 p.m. ET (check local listings) on PBS.WCS has partnered with National Geographic on conservation issues for years. In this case, the organization is teaming up with National Geographic ...

A new survey conducted by WCS and partners reveals that, since 2004, poachers have slaughtered 11,000 forest elephants in a Gabonese national park. Until recently, elephant herds were thought to be less impacted by poaching in Gabon than in other parts of Africa.

Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Tom Udall (D-NM) join Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY) in introducing legislation to renew the stamp in Congress The Tiger Stamp has generated $1.89M for species conservation programs at no cost to taxpayers Washington, D.C. – February 7, 2013 – The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) applauded today’s Senate introduction of legislation that would renew the Save Vanishing Species postage stamp for an additional four years.  ...

WCS scientists confirm Africa’s largest elephant population cut by at least half in ten years Gabon’s Minkebe National Park has been decimated by poachers for ivory trade LIBREVILLE, GABON (February 6, 2013): The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) announced today that a national park, once home to Africa’s largest forest elephant population, has lost a staggering 11,100 individuals due to poaching for the ivory trade. The shocking figures come from Gabon...

WCS Run for the Wild is presented by Amarula Cream Liqueur and Con Edison Annual 5k run/walk is dedicated to saving elephants from the worst poaching crisis in two decades Registration open at www.wcsrunforthewild.org Bronx Zoo Event Date: Saturday, April 27, 2013 From now through April 27 WCS Run for the Wild: World helps those around ...

Republic of Congo creates Ntokou-Pikounda National Park to safeguard thousands of great apes Park contains massive ape population discovered by WCS in 2008, and is home to hundreds of elephants and chimpanzees NEW YORK (DATE) — The Republic of Congo has declared a new national park that protects a core population of the 125,000 western lowland gorillas discovered by WCS in 2008. Called Ntokou-Pikounda National Park, the new protected area spans some 4,572 square kilometers (1...

WCS and University of Montana Find Nearly 1,000 Wild Yaks In Remote Tibetan Plateau Once decimated by hunting, wild yaks may be returning Wild yaks are Asia’s third largest land mammal NEW YORK (January 16, 2013) — A team of American and Chinese conservationists from the Wildlife Conservation Society and University of Montana recently counted nearly 1,000 wild yaks from a remote area of the Tibetan-Qinghai Plateau. The finding may indicate a comeback for this species, which was decimated by ...

After revealing that tigers are roaring back in three landscapes where WCS works, our CEO penned a blog for the Huffington Post relaying his recent trip to India. While there, Dr. Samper observed a wild tigress--whose presence reflects a significant increase in tiger numbers in South India.