Updates - WCS.org

Window of Opportunity Closing Faster Than Ever

November 12, 2024

We are living on a planet already hotter and more unstable than at any time in human history, WCS’s Daniel Zarin writes for The Hill.

Prime Time for Whales

October 8, 2024

“People are now becoming more accustomed and more familiar with seeing whales and seeing dolphins off of our shores,” says WCS’s Howard Rosenbaum of New York.

Meet the Miombo

September 3, 2024

A new initiative spearheaded by the Republic of Mozambique’s President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi aims to reverse deforestation of the Miombo and promote sustainable resource development.

Amphibian Haven

August 27, 2024

Madidi National Park in Bolivia is one of South America’s most amphibian-rich protected areas, new research co-authored by WCS has found.

Tiger Numbers Rise in Thailand

July 27, 2024

Pornkamol Jornburom, director of WCS Thailand, hopes the Western Forest Complex can be “a role model for conservation and recovery of the wildlife population.”

Studying Interactions Between Animals and Humans

July 15, 2024

The only way we can ensure the conservation actions we take are effective is with evidence, WCS scientist Dr. Fiona "Boo" Maisels tells the podcast.

HIFOR Methodology

May 24, 2024

“What we're trying to do is address the financing gap in the climate and biodiversity spaces,” says WCS’s Daniel Zarin.

Preventing Pandemics

May 10, 2024

The world must work together to address the growing avian influenza crisis, write WCS's Sarah Olson and Chris Walzer.

Global Coral Bleaching

April 19, 2024

El Niño is “acting across a baseline of warming temperatures, and you’re getting these pushes above a threshold,” said WCS's Emily Darling.

Biden Restores Endangered Species Act Protections

April 2, 2024

“The Biden-Harris administration’s steps to strengthen the ESA, ensuring science is at the center of decisions to protect wildlife, is great news for all of nature,” said WCS’s John Calvelli.

Tackling the Fin Trade

March 7, 2024

In 2022, an historic decision was made to bring 90% of the shark fin trade under CITES regulation. It’s exciting, WCS Luke Warwick says, but hard work lies ahead: implementation.

NASA and Google Earth Engine Help Save Tigers

February 27, 2024

They are assisting with a new program that offers decision makers critical, near-real time tools for tiger conservation efforts.

Antarctica’s Penguins Could Be Devastated by Avian Influenza

February 22, 2024

“If [the virus] does hit, the impacts will be potentially really devastating,” says WCS's Chris Walzer.

Leveraging the Hypothetical

January 17, 2024

In Cambodia’s Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary, community engagement has been key in protecting species and forest habitats through REDD+.

RIP Kingo

January 8, 2024

“Kingo’s legacy is immense,” said Jancy Boungou, a research assistant for WCS’s Mondika Gorilla Project who followed Kingo up until his last days.

Support for Rangers

December 14, 2023

It's critical to meeting tiger recovery goals and biodiversity, write Dale Miquelle, Mark Booton and Sugoto Roy for PBS Nature.

Future of Coral

November 13, 2023

WCS’s Emily Darling says climate resilient reefs, data democracy, and equitable technology are needed to ensure their future is bright.

Humpback Encounter in the NY Bight

November 2, 2023

The WCS Ocean Giants Team had an intimate encounter with a humpback whale that approached the team's boat and swam around it for several minutes earlier this month.

Restoring Degraded Forest

October 11, 2023

Prioritizing these areas, not just cleared lands, could help us meet our climate and biodiversity goals more rapidly, WCS scientists say.

Support the High Seas Treaty

September 21, 2023

WCS President and CEO Monica Medina makes a case for the treaty, which would protect ocean biodiversity and more.

Bottleneck to Breakthrough

September 12, 2023

Enormous trends toward population stabilization, poverty alleviation, and urbanization are rewriting the future of wildlife and wild places, says WCS's Joe Walston.

Migrating Birds

August 29, 2023

"If we lose Central America's forests, we can lose North America's birds," said WCS's Jeremy Radachowsky.

Protecting the Moskitia

August 18, 2023

One of Mesoamerica's Five Great Forests, it's home to Indigenous Miskitu, Tawahka, Pech, and Garifuna people, as well as magnificent wildlife like jaguar, scarlet macaw, and giant anteater.

Meet Monica Medina

July 25, 2023

“We must never assume that a healthy planet is automatic,” WCS’s new President and CEO says.

Shark Awareness Day

July 14, 2023

Last year, over 180 governments made the decision to fully regulate the trade in shark fins, writes WCS's Luke Warwick. This is a crucial step, but the hard bit comes next.

Saving Endangered Species

July 9, 2023

The solution, argues Dan Kraus of WCS Canada, is to shift to conservation rooted in the ecosystem, protecting key biodiversity areas.

World Oceans Day

June 7, 2023

It’s my hope that we can come together and act for our youth, writes WCS's Monica Media. That we can protect the majesty of the deep blue so that future generations can unlock its secrets and vast potential.

Stem the Tide

May 11, 2023

Coral reef health is fundamentally interconnected with human health. We need urgent global action to tackle the pollution crisis to protect both.

Let's Invest in Our Planet

April 22, 2023

Congress must pass the U.S. Foundation for International Conservation Act, writes WCS's John Calvelli on Earth Day.

The ROI on Nature

April 20, 2023

The theme for Earth Day 2023 is Invest in Nature. WCS's Ray Victurine spoke with the Change Makers podcast on that issue.

DNA Tracking

April 17, 2023

On Mount Everest and in the Peruvian Andes, WCS's Tracie Seimon uses DNA to study how species and ecosystems respond to climate change, pathogens and other influences.

Your Strategy Needs a Story

February 16, 2023

“It’s inconceivable that we could successfully execute our strategy to protect wildlife and wild places worldwide without creating and using powerful stories,” said WCS's John Calvelli.

Historic Opportunity

February 3, 2023

Presidents Lula and Biden must seize the chance to conserve the Amazon, write Carlos Nobre and WCS's Daniel Zarin.

Talking Turtles

January 6, 2023

Turtles aren’t known for their parental instincts, but the giant South American river turtle is an exception. The discovery is spurring a race to save the chatty species.

The Mission to Return Jaguars to the U.S.

December 28, 2022

"Ultimately, it’s about what it means to be an American and what it means to be an American in nature," said WCS's Eric Sanderson. "To me, it’s not complete and it’s not right without jaguars."

Turtles and See-Through Frogs on Agenda at Wildlife Summit

November 21, 2022

"Freshwater turtles are among the main groups that are trafficked in the countries, and there is high pressure for international trade," said WCS's Yovana Murillo.

Protect the World's Peatlands

November 5, 2022

They are climate bombs waiting to detonate, writes WCS's Dan Zarin. The world’s richest countries should lead by example by protecting their own, while also committing money to safeguard these landscapes in developing countries.

Beyond Humans

October 17, 2022

A new study highlights high altitude contests between mountain goats and bighorn sheep over access to minerals available now only because of global warming.

Grand Canyon of the Atlantic

October 3, 2022

It's widely recognized by scientists as a biodiversity hotspot, WCS's Merry Camhi told the podcast.

New York's Waters Are Being Reborn

September 1, 2022

“I’ve worked in every ocean basin,” says WCS's Howard Rosenbaum. “People associate these wildlife spectacles with other areas of our planet. Yet they’re right here in our backyard.”

In Bolivia, 'Death Road' is Alive With Wildlife

August 10, 2022

With the construction of a safer roadway nearby, traffic on Death Road has dropped to a trickle. And now, says a team of WCS scientists, it's a surprising haven for animals.

In Much of Asia, Tiger Populations are Rebounding

July 29, 2022

Better camera tracking and a crackdown on poaching have led to higher estimates of the top predator’s abundance.

The Living City

June 23, 2022

“Every problem that the city has ever faced," says WCS's Eric Sanderson, "the landscape has already solved in some way, shape, or form.”

Biden Proposes a New Marine Sanctuary Off the Northeastern U.S.

June 8, 2022

Hudson Canyon, an underwater gorge off the coast of New York and New Jersey, would receive permanent federal protection.

Critically Endangered Baby Turtles Released in Cambodia

May 23, 2022

For World Turtle Day, 580 Cantor's giant softshell turtles were returned to the wild as part of an ongoing program to protect them.

In Thailand, Tigers are Coming Back

May 5, 2022

In Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, their numbers have doubled over the past 15 years.

A More Equitable Journey

April 21, 2022

WCS's Eric Sanderson argues that the world we live in now is very much an artifact of our grandparents' and great-grandparents' decisions

Nature's Air Conditioning

March 22, 2022

WCS's Daniel Zarin, Executive Director of Forests and Climate Change, spoke to the Dr. Karl podcast about why forests are an asset we need to revalue today.

Year of the Tiger

February 2, 2022

“Tigers’ rising numbers have demonstrated our ability to come together for greater good,” says WCS's Dale Miquelle.

Lighted Nets Reduce Bycatch of Sharks

January 25, 2022

“Gillnets are ubiquitous because they are inexpensive and catch everything that passes them. This work is exciting because it provides a practical solution increasing gillnets' selectivity and avoiding their bycatch,” said WCS's Hoyt Peckham.

What to Expect from Sixth Extinction

January 11, 2022

Setting aside large conservation areas can make a significant difference to biodiversity, says WCS's Elizabeth Bennett, if it's the right places and well planned and managed.

New Pandemic Treaty Must Include Prevention at Source

December 2, 2021

The science is clear. Our health and well-being and that of the planet are one and the same. Zoonoses account for the vast majority of emerging infectious diseases, write WCS's Christian Walzer, Susan Lieberman, and Arnaud Goessens.

Ocean to COP: Coral Reefs Can Help Save the World

November 5, 2021

The global community must recognize the vital role that coral reefs play in creating a sustainable ocean economy and fighting the worst effects of climate change, write Peter Thomson, Abdulla Naseer, and WCS's Susan Lieberman.

The Tiger Is Making a Tentative Comeback in China’s North

October 11, 2021

“This is an example where the economics and politics have aligned with conservation priorities in a very positive way,” said WCS's Dale Miquelle.

What's Fair in Conservation to Locals?

September 10, 2021

Just ask, says a new study co-authored by WCS. Fairness may be viewed differently in different cultures and geographies, says WCS's Sangeeta Mangubhai.

Tuna Bounce Back, but Sharks in Decline

September 6, 2021

WCS's Susan Lieberman said the release of the latest update would drive government and multilateral action to save threatened and endangered species.

Green Status of Species

July 29, 2021

A new standard will measure the recovery of threatened plants and animals. It tells a much more complete story, says WCS's Elizabeth Bennett.

Whales and New York

July 22, 2021

Science is helping New Yorkers live in harmony with these ocean giants, reports WCS's Howard Rosenbaum.

Endangered Species Are Paying the Price of COVID-19

July 11, 2021

“With governments on lockdown, customs are also on lockdown, and it’s hard for them to patrol and gather intelligence,” said WCS's Susan Lieberman.

Forest Loss in SE Asia

July 2, 2021

“It is just shocking," said WCS's Paul Elson, "that [forest loss] is continuing to move up into places that we felt were safe by virtue of being rugged and remote and isolated.”

Biden's 30x30 Plan

June 3, 2021

Can it put U.S. on a positive conservation track? An interview with WCS's Joe Walston.

The big straw law

May 18, 2021

Kudos to the New York City Council for protecting wildlife, businesses and people, write Sharon Shapiro-Lacks and WCS's John Calvelli.

Should we bring jaguars back the U.S.?

May 13, 2021

“The historical record supports that there were jaguars through most of Arizona and New Mexico, up to the Grand Canyon,” says WCS's Eric Sanderson.

Getting bushmeat off the table

May 4, 2021

The forests of the Congo Basin are among the most biodiverse in the world. But as the region’s cities grow, the demand for forest bushmeat is threatening food sources for indigenous communities and endangered pangolins and monkeys.

Speed Bumps Aid Endangered Primates

April 9, 2021

The rate of collisions between cars and red colobuses has halved, according to a group of researchers, including from WCS.

A Year Without Travel

March 7, 2021

"The important thing," said WCS's Joe Walston, "is to build back the kind of tourism that supports nature.”

The Indomitable Wolverine

February 9, 2021

Wolverines eke out a living in the harsh and unforgiving northern landscapes of the world, writes WCS's Tom Glass.

The Real Cost of Planting Trees

January 29, 2021

Careful monitoring and up-front investment are necessary to ensure reforestation efforts yield benefits for communities and biodiversity, writes WCS's Lauren Oakes.

Priotize Biodiversity

December 22, 2020

Part of pandemic preparedness is acknowledging that human, wildlife, and ecological health are inseparable, writes WCS's Susan Lieberman and Christian Walzer.

Discovery is Big News

December 20, 2020

A female turtle found in October 2020 in Viet Nam is definitively the near extinct Swinhoe’s softshell turtle.

Scarlet Macaws Released

October 19, 2020

The chicks were hand-raised by conservationists from WCS Guatemala before their release, which is designed to boost numbers in the wild.

Federal Action Needed on Pandemics

September 30, 2020

To reduce the likelihood of crises like COVID-19, a comprehensive national approach is essential, write WCS's Christian Walzer and John Calvelli.

How to Stop the Next Pandemic

September 1, 2020

The destruction happening at the edge of forests is one area we're concerned about, says WCS's Christian Walzer, creating contact with wildlife that didn't exist before.

Congo Republic Jails Man Accused of Killing 500 Elephants

August 24, 2020

“This unprecedented conviction in the criminal court is a major milestone in the protection of wildlife in the Republic of Congo,” said WCS's Emma Stokes.

Wildlife Trade Spreads Coronavirus

June 19, 2020

A study co-authored by WCS produced startlingly clear confirmation an underlying objection to the wildlife trade in Asia—it offers an ideal opportunity for viruses in one animal to infect another.

A Threat to Endangered Species in SE Asia

May 21, 2020

The coronavirus has created a survival crisis for rural communities and, consequently, for wildlife, says WCS's Colin Poole.

COVID-19's Impact on Coral Monitoring

May 19, 2020

"Our commitment to communities does not stop during this crisis, or any," writes WCS's Emily Darling.

Chinese Ban Likely to Become Law

April 9, 2020

WCS's Aili Kang speaks about the ongoing review of wildlife legislation in China in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Poachers Kill More Rhinos with Tourism Halt

April 8, 2020

“These animals are not just protected by rangers, they’re also protected by tourist presence,” said WCS's Tim Davenport.

Stop Future Pandemics

March 18, 2020

In order to prevent future pandemics, we need to change our relationship with wildlife.

Ban a Big Step But ...

February 28, 2020

"There is a huge trade in wildlife that is not related to consumption,” WCS's Dr. Christian Walzer said.

Preventing the Next Coronavirus

February 19, 2020

A ban on markets that trade wildlife needs to be permanent if we are to reduce the risk of future zoonotic diseases.

Ticking Time Bombs for Epidemics

February 9, 2020

“You could not design a better way of creating pandemics,” WCS’s Joe Walston says of markets that trade in wildlife.

Abolish Asia's "Wet Markets"

January 28, 2020

If they persist, write WCS's Christian Walzer and Aili Kang, the public will continue to face heightened risks of viral disease.

52 Places To Go in 2020

January 13, 2020

Among them, Rurrenabaque, Bolivia, a gateway to one of the world's most biodiverse protected areas.

Indigenous Groups Protect Forests

December 13, 2019

The five forests, spanning from Mexico to Colombia, are key to curbing climate change.

Bats Pollinate Durian

December 4, 2019

Researchers wanted to improve the fruit yields for small farmers in Indonesia, and hope their findings will encourage protections for bats.

Ecuador's Vanishing Jaguars

November 11, 2019

“Jaguars historically were distributed along all the Ecuadorian coast, but now they’re only in Esmeraldas,” says WCS's Galo Zapata-Ríos.

The Carbon Bomb

November 8, 2019

If we are to have any hope of stabilizing our ailing climate, action at every level is needed to keep intact forests safe from harm.

In Fight Against Climate Change, Not All Forests are Equal

November 1, 2019

And the gradual loss of our largely pristine, intact forests has a much greater climate impact than previously accounted for, a new study says.

Tough Work that Could Predict Outbreaks

October 15, 2019

Could animal sampling be an early warning system for human outbreaks of the Ebola virus?

Wildlife Trafficking in Latin America

October 7, 2019

“If enforcement is increased and governments collaborate more with each other I believe we can stop this in time,” said WCS's Sue Lieberman.

Rare Bird in Russia

September 3, 2019

It is the first time in more than four decades that researchers have had an opportunity to study the Nordmann's greenshank.

Victory for Sharks and Rays

August 30, 2019

"A wide range of member governments realize the need for CITES to regulate the global trade," said WCS's Luke Warwick.

Earth Without the Amazon?

August 28, 2019

"It is the world’s largest freshwater system, where over 2,500 species of fish thrive," said Carlos Durigan of WCS Brazil.

Ban on Saiga Trade?

August 19, 2019

“The saiga is a big one: their population is critically endangered by poaching and the die-offs,” says WCS's Sue Lieberman.

Anti-Trafficking Campaign

July 11, 2019

The Interpol operation was a step in the right direction, said WCS's Sue Lieberman, but the local authorities have to pursue prosecutions.

Finding Unseen Threats

June 26, 2019

Dr. Tracie Seimon's work is being used around the world to protect wildlife, including softshell turtles, tigers, and frogs.

A Year Without Poaching

June 18, 2019

It's been 12 months since an elephant was poached in Mozambique's Niassa National Reserve.

Will the EU Act?

June 11, 2019

The public gets it, writes WCS's Janice Weatherley-Singh. Will recently elected officials take bold steps to address biodiversity loss?

Open For Business

May 27, 2019

Why developing Canada's far north is risky. “There is no vision," says WCS Canada's Cheryl Chetkiewicz of the planning approach.

Reasons for Optimism

May 8, 2019

In light of a bleak UN report on extinction, we must act wisely, writes WCS's John Robinson. Keeping large ecological systems intact is one solution.

Surprising Songbirds

April 22, 2019

The blackpoll warbler goes on an incredible round-trip migration, writes WCS's Hilary Cooke.

Willing Coalition

April 8, 2019

The secret sauce of environmental problem solving is voluntary collaboration, writes WCS's David Wilkie.

Fishery on the Brink

March 28, 2019

The fight to save the Nassau grouper. By one estimate, its population has dropped 60% since 1980.

Are humans messing up chimp culture?

March 12, 2019

A new study says encroachment into previously wild areas is impacting behavior.

Saving the Bats, One Cave at a Time

February 21, 2019

With the threat of white-nose syndrome looming, biologists are going underground to try to save species.

Why the Effort to Ban Straws is Growing

February 4, 2019

New York City, writes WCS's John Calvelli, has a chance to help lead the way by saying no to single-use plastic straws.

Ways of Adapting to Climate Change Are Gaining Steam

January 11, 2019

Communities need to build resilience to the threats even as the world seeks ways to curb emissions.

Why Do Whales Sing?

January 8, 2019

Scientists still aren’t certain, and maybe the whales aren’t, either. Dr. Melinda Rekdahl on the latest research.

How Native American Tribes Are Bringing the Bison Back

December 12, 2018

The continent’s largest land mammal plays a major role in the spiritual and cultural lives of many.

Adaptation Must Be Local

November 26, 2018

Climate change is occuring at a global scale, but we can’t wait for a top-down solution, writes WCS's Lauren Oakes.

Honduras to Shield Corridor

November 15, 2018

The implications are wide-reaching as the area in the Moskitia is a repository for biodiversity and carbon, WCS's Jeremy Radachowsky says.

World's Wildernesses Disappearing

October 31, 2018

Today, more than 77 percent of land on earth, excluding Antarctica, has been modified by human industry.

An African Bat and Ebola

October 12, 2018

Research into the hammer-headed bat might help prevent future outbreaks of the deadly virus, WCS's Sarah Olson says.

Indigenous Peoples Vital to Addressing Climate Challenge

September 13, 2018

Keeping global temperatures within safe limits requires empowering the inhabitants of forests.

Brooklyn Shark Scientist Goes to Bat for Sharks

August 13, 2018

WCS New York Aquarium Vet Harley Newton says sharks are more than just mindless eating machines.

Extractive Industries Threaten Intact Forests

July 12, 2018

Mining companies currently have claims on 11 percent of all intact rainforests left in the world.

Coney Island's Newest Wonder: Sharks!

June 28, 2018

Go see it. It’s edifying and fun, an ideal excuse to grab the kids and head for the beach.

Say Goodbye to Plastic Straws

May 23, 2018

On the New York City proposal to move away from them and the future of our oceans.

'Shocking' Impact on Protected Areas

May 21, 2018

Human activities have degraded one-third of them, according to a new, WCS co-authored study.

Despairing this Earth Day?

April 23, 2018

Consider that the forces of an environmental recovery may already be gathering strength.

The Bronx River is Alive!

April 19, 2018

With new fish—it was just restocked with 400 alewife herring.

Why This Elephant in India is Blowing Smoke

March 26, 2018

It's probably not just fooling around. Eating charcoal may serve a purpose.

We Should Embrace Scavengers and Predators

March 9, 2018

Our first instinct may be to recoil, but if we lose these animals the consequences could be catastrophic.

SMART Making a Huge Impact

February 14, 2018

The war against animal poaching will be won by data, not drones.

More Rain, Fewer Musk Oxen

January 18, 2018

As the Arctic warms, pregnant females may struggle to find enough food for their unborn calves, researchers find.

Experience or Evidence?

November 27, 2017

Working in complex, ever-changing environments, how do big conservation NGOs make decisions?

From Andes to Amazon

October 20, 2017

A new movie and a real-life expedition into a truly biodiverse protected area.

Protect Alaska's Last Great Wilderness

October 18, 2017

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is in the crosshairs of the U.S. Congress.

Slow and Steady

October 4, 2017

Conservation efforts seem to be working. This tortoise is winning its race with extinction.

The Snow Leopard Remains at Risk

October 2, 2017

Though no longer considered endangered, it still faces threats from poaching and habitat loss.

High Stakes in the High North

September 13, 2017

“Wrangel Island is wild nature at its best,” says WCS's Joel Berger. “It’s spectacular.”

Whales in Our Waters

August 21, 2017

Scientists from WCS and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution on what they've found in the New York Bight.

Antiques Dealer Pleads Guilty to Selling Illegal Ivory

July 27, 2017

The recovered items represent the largest seizure of illegal elephant ivory in New York State history.

Hope for Southeast Asia

June 21, 2017

This baby turtle photo is a good sign for a species once feared extinct along Cambodia's portion of the Mekong River.

The Time is Now to Save Our Oceans

June 8, 2017

On World Oceans Day, WCS's Executive Director for Marine Conservation Jason Patlis writes with the esteemed Sylvia Earle.

New Map of Life in Local Waters

June 7, 2017

"One of the map’s goals is to get people’s minds around the ecological riches right here in our waters,” said New York Aquarium Director Jon Forrest Dohlin.

On Studying Musk Oxen

May 18, 2017

WCS's Joel Berger looks at wildlife in one of the least densely populated parts of the world.

A Department Full of Glamorous Adventure

April 25, 2017

A new exhibition featuring 60 works designed to communicate field biology decades ago.

Scientists Seeking 'Hope Spots'

April 11, 2017

They are coming up with creative ways to find the species and regions with the best chances of resisting global warming.

One of Wildlife's Worst Foes

March 27, 2017

Domesticated dogs kill thousands of wild animals and livestock every month, write Debby Ng and WCS's Joel Berger.

Wildlife Could Be Saved by What?

March 20, 2017

The idea that the humble chicken could play the role will seem improbable to many environmentalists.

Saiga Antelopes Struck Again

February 9, 2017

A virus in Mongolia's western Khovd province has killed about a quarter of the global population.

World Heritage Sites Face Threat

February 1, 2017

“These sites have been inscribed by the United Nations as some of the most important, beautiful places on earth."

China Says It Will Shut Down Ivory Trade

January 3, 2017

And the move could have a dramatic impact, according to WCS's John Robinson.

Protect N.Y.'s Own Grand Canyon

December 19, 2016

The Hudson Canyon lies unprotected from key threats such as oil, gas, and mineral exploration and extraction.

Giraffes 'Vulnerable' to Extinction

December 8, 2016

The world’s tallest land mammal, and a prime attraction at zoos worldwide, is threatened because of illegal hunting and a loss of its habitat.

The Future of Wildlife

December 5, 2016

In honor of Wildlife Conservation Day, WCS's John Robinson on the current state of the field.

This Buoy Could Save Whales

November 30, 2016

Bobbing near New York, the third busiest U.S. port, our monitoring tool may offer a new way to reduce the number of ship strikes.

Bronx Zoo Breaks World Record

November 22, 2016

The stampede of origami elephants is part of a campaign to raise awareness about poaching.

Wildlife is Nonpartisan

November 15, 2016

President-elect Trump and the new Congress can unite Americans behind wildlife protection efforts.

Will the Ax Fall on Nigeria's National Parks?

November 3, 2016

A new development plan poses an imminent threat to some of its most spectacular forest.

A Win in the Ground War Against Elephant Poachers

October 14, 2016

The arrest of a key member of an ivory-trafficking group is a bright spot in the Republic of Congo.

Pangolins Thrown a Lifeline

September 28, 2016

The world’s most illegally trafficked mammal has won a total ban on international trade in all species.

Historic Ivory Bust

September 23, 2016

In New York, three antiques dealers were charged in the illegal sale of ivory priced at $4.5 million.

Listen to the Fishers of Glover's Reef

September 15, 2016

To help turn the tide for our seas, a bold commitment to marine protected areas.

Warning: World's Wildest Places Disappearing Fast

September 13, 2016

A tenth of global wilderness has disappeared in a little over 20 years, scientists are warning.

Call for Ban on Domestic Ivory Trade

September 11, 2016

At the IUCN World Conservation Congress, countries from around the world made an important statement.

African Elephant Numbers Plummet 30 Percent

August 31, 2016

An unprecedented census gives a sobering baseline for managing what’s left of Africa’s elephants.

Searching for Sharks in the Waters Off Long Island

August 16, 2016

WCS scientists are teaming with OCEARCH to learn about blue, mako, and great white sharks in the area.

Eavesdropping on Ocean Giants

July 28, 2016

New technology is allowing scientists to listen in on some very big conversations off the coast of New York.

Amazon Turtles In Peril

July 26, 2016

Dams, mercury pollution, and illegal trade are weighing on the 17 species in the region.

The Great New York Whale Census

July 7, 2016

WCS and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution are collaborating on the largest-ever survey of the Big Apple’s whales.

Bearing Up for Science

June 15, 2016

WCS's Joel Berger donned a polar bear outfit to gauge the reaction of musk oxen.

What Could Be More Metal?

June 12, 2016

The New York Aquarium's Hans Walters on his journey with music and marine biology.

Hope for the Elephants

June 4, 2016

The near-total U.S. ban on the interstate trade in ivory, writes WCS President and CEO Cristián Samper, is the result of years of advocacy efforts directed at U.S. leadership.

It's Final: Ivory Banned in the U.S.

June 2, 2016

The U.S. has taken a big step for elephants, shutting down the ivory trade that is wiping out Africa's elephants.

How the Bison Lived to Become America’s National Mammal

April 27, 2016

Once near extinction, the bison has come to represent the country’s first successful foray into wildlife conservation.

The Good Hunter

April 26, 2016

WCS Tanzania's Tim Davenport and the discovery of new species.

New Gorilla Survey Supports Fears of Extinction Within Decade

April 24, 2016

With tensions in the Democratic Republic of Congo abating somewhat, researchers finally have an updated Grauer's gorilla head count — one that confirms their fears.

A Group of Scientists is Begging Obama to Save Right Whales

April 14, 2016

Twenty-seven marine biologists penned a letter to President Barack Obama on Thursday urgently asking him to defer seismic exploration in the Atlantic Ocean.

The World's Largest Primate is Being Wiped Out by War

April 5, 2016

The population of the Grauer's gorillas—a gorilla subspecies that lives in a region of Central Africa beset by conflict—is collapsing.

Bison Return to Montana After 140 Years

March 28, 2016

A herd is ‘coming home’ under a treaty between North American tribes that seeks to return bison from Canada.

The Nonsuch Dive

March 18, 2016

In the 1930s, two men in a ‘‘bathysphere’’ dove deeper — much deeper — in the ocean than anyone had before.

The Owl Man

March 3, 2016

WCS's Jonathan Slaght is working to save an incredible bird you've probably never heard of.

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