News Releases

It’s Not Only Fish That Need Coral Reefs WASHINGTON (MAY 20, 2009) The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) held a Congressional policy briefing today on Capitol Hill highlighting the need for better policies to protect the world’s coral reefs in the face of climate change. Featured speakers included WCS President and CEO Dr. Steven E. Sanderson, WCS Director of Marine Conservation Dr. Caleb McClennen, and WCS Senior Conservation Zoologist Dr. Tim McClanahan. Honorary hosts at the brief...

Scientists discover the world’s largest nesting population of leatherback sea turtles on the beaches of Gabon. The finding offers new hope for the future of this endangered species.

Wildlife Conservation Society applauds the launching of Coral Triangle Initiative at CTI Summit in Manado, Indonesia NEW YORK (MAY 15, 2009) On May 15, 2009, the Heads of State of Indonesia, the Philippines, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Malaysia, signed a “leaders declaration” to officially launch the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF). As part of this historic initiative, the six countries pledge “accelerated and colla...

Bronx, NY – May 14, 2009 -- The Wildlife Conservation Society today released economic impact numbers showing that it generates about $414.6 million in economic activity in New York City annually, creating jobs, purchasing goods and pumping money into the cash registers of local businesses, many in underserved areas.A break down of the $414.6* million economic impact on NYC by WCS looks like this:$285,800,000, due to operational expenditures$76,200,000, due to capital expenditures$52,560,000, due...

WCS helps buy an exclusive stretch of sand on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, where the endangered maleo lays its giant eggs. The beach is also a haven for sea turtles.

Strange birds lay (eggs that is) on exclusive beachNEW YORK (May 12, 2009)—A private beach is a luxury for most, but for the maleo—an endangered bird found only on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi—an exclusive stretch of sand is now a protected nesting area for the species, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society.Located on the Binerean Cape in northern Sulawesi, the 14-hectare (approximately 36 acres) beach is now owned by PALS (Pelestari Alam Liar dan Satwa, or Wildlife and Wildlands C...

WCS Testifies Before Congress on Bills to Save Icons of the Wild Including the Issuance of New U.S. Postal Stamp NEW YORK (MAY 5, 2009) The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Executive Vice President of Conservation and Science Dr. John Robinson testified today before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans, and Wildlife, in favor of a new postage stamp that would help some of the world’s most beloved – but endangered – wildlife. H.R. 1454, the Multinational Species Con...

A WCS researcher investigates why rainforests stay so moist, and their role in the global water cycle. When we wipe out our forests, he explains, we risk losing much more.

New video shows how New York City Cultural Institutions are vital for our city’s economy: local businesses and jobs Wednesday, the Porcupine, is back! NEW YORK (May 4, 2009) – Taking a page from the classic “Harry and Louise” health care commercials from the 1990s, the Wildlife Conservation Society has released a new video showing how New York City cultural institutions are vital for business. The new “Harry and Louis” parody features several creatures – both human and the four-legged type – kil...

Wildlife Conservation Society gives support to proving “Biotic Pump” model NEW YORK (May 1, 2009)—Climatologists have long assumed that vast rainforests are largely a regional consequence of heavy rain fall, but these ecosystems may actually be huge water pumps that generate most of their rain, says a Wildlife Conservation Society researcher in the most recent edition of BioScience Magazine. In fact, climate experts have largely ignored a recently published hypothesis on how rainforests influenc...