Species
News
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) today announced the establishment of a new national park in Russia as part of efforts to save the world’s rarest cat – the Amur leopard.
Yanni and WWF Partner to Save Wild Pandas April 09, 2012World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is pleased to announce a collaboration with legendary composer and performer Yanni, aimed at raising awareness of giant panda conservation.
Monarch Butterfly Decline March 19, 2012The number of Monarch butterflies wintering in Mexico has dropped by nearly a third since 2011. Learn more
WWF Statement on Cameroon Elephant Slaughter March 15, 2012The following statement was issued today by Natasha Kofoworola Quist, WWF’s Central Africa Regional Programme Office Representative:
WWF to Brief Media on Cameroon Elephant Slaughter March 14, 2012World Wildlife Fund (WWF) experts will discuss the recent slaughter of hundreds of wild elephants in Cameroon and the need for President Paul Biya to protect the remaining elephants and bring the killers to justice during a telephone press briefing on Thursday, March 15, 2012 at 9 a.m. EST.
Taking Tigers Out of American Backyards March 01, 2012A new bill is introduced to regulate possession of big cats within the U.S.
Nowhere to Hide: New Study Finds Human Activities Pushing Sumatran Tigers Closer to Extinction February 29, 2012A new study found that Sumatran tigers are nearing extinction as a result of human activities, particularly the conversion of natural forests into plantations for palm oil and pulp and paper.
Rhino Horn Trafficking Ring Busted on U.S. Soil February 24, 2012Wildlife trafficking ring busted on U.S. soil
NBC News investigates rhino poaching in South Africa February 23, 2012NBC’s News investigates record rhino poaching in South Africa
Snow Leopard Prey Survey Reveals ‘Noah’s Ark’ of Wildlife Thriving in Bhutan’s Newest National Park, Government of Bhutan and WWF Announce February 14, 2012The first ever snow leopard prey survey in Bhutan’s newest national park revealed astonishing footage.
Sumatran Elephants Listed as Critically Endangered January 23, 2012The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species changed the Sumatran elephant's status.
Record Rhino Poaching in South Africa January 12, 2012Eight rhinos found dead in one day after a year of record losses
Rhinos in the Eastern Himalayas Start 2012 with a Glimmer of Hope January 11, 2012Greater one-horned rhinos start 2012 on a positive note.
A Call for Zero Poaching in the Fight for Tiger Survival December 06, 2011WWF calls for zero poaching and marks significant progress since historic tiger summit.
Rare Close Up of an Amur Tiger November 21, 2011A new photo signals hope for tiger populations in northeast China.
Record Rhino Horn Seizure in Hong Kong November 15, 2011On November 15, 2011, customs officials in Hong Kong seized 33 rhino horns that were smuggled from South Africa.
WWF: Demand for rhino horn leads to record poaching November 03, 2011More rhinos have been killed in South Africa in the past 10 months than were killed in all of 2010.
WWF and The Coca-Cola Company Team Up to Protect Polar Bears October 25, 2011Coca-Cola and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) are joining forces in a bold new campaign to help protect the polar bear’s Arctic home. Read more
Javan rhinos extinct in Vietnam October 25, 2011WWF and the International Rhino Foundation (IRF) confirmed the extinction of the Javan rhinoceros in Vietnam on October 25, 2011.
WWF calls for ban on pet tigers October 20, 2011The tragic situation in Ohio has prompted WWF to call for a ban on private ownership of tigers.
Captive Tigers Stimulate Illegal Trade October 19, 2011The tigers that were let loose by their owner and killed in Ohio illustrates why the U.S. needs better regulation of captive tigers. Take action to protect tigers
WWF Calls for End to Rhino Poaching on World Rhino Day September 21, 2011Rhino poaching has reached alarming proportions in southern Africa, and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is calling for an end to the crisis on World Rhino Day, September 22nd.
Dolphins in Mekong River on brink of extinction, new study reveals August 16, 2011Irrawaddy dolphin numbers have declined to just 85 in Southeast Asia’s Mekong River, leading researchers to conclude that the population is at high risk of extinction.
WWF Works to Fight Wildlife Crime August 15, 2011WWF encouraged authorities to hand down a maximum sentence to a suspected tiger smuggler that was put on trial on August 10, 2011 in a West Sumatra, Indonesia district court.
WWF Commends South Africa for Strong Action August 11, 2011Two Vietnamese men convicted of attempting to smuggle 18 rhino horns in June 2010 out of South Africa were sentenced in August 2011 to the longest prison terms possible under the country’s national wildlife law.
U.S. Declares Iceland in Defiance of Global Commercial Whaling Ban July 20, 2011Conservation and animal welfare groups commend U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary's declaration and urge the President to pursue sanctions.
Melting Sea Ice Forcing Polar Bears to Swim Longer Distances, Linked to Increased Mortality of Cubs, Finds New Study July 19, 2011Sea ice loss from climate change is causing polar bears to swim longer distances to find stable ice or to reach land, according to a new paper co-authored by a WWF expert.
Stamping Out Extinction: New Postage Stamp Benefits Vanishing Species May 11, 2011The stamp is the result of a 10-year effort led by WWF, in partnership with the U.S. Postal Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other international conservation organizations.
WWF Releases Rare Footage of Sumatran Tiger Cubs May 09, 2011WWF released rare video footage of three Sumatran tiger cubs playfully chasing leaves in the forests of the Bukit Tigapuluh landscape in Indonesia.
Tigers Could Roam Once More in Central Asia April 13, 2011WWF applauds the government of Kazakhstan on an innovative effort to reintroduce tigers where they were previously extinct.
Critically Endangered Javan Rhinos and Calves Captured on Video February 27, 2011Dramatic new video footage of two critically endangered Javan rhinos and their calves was released by WWF and Indonesia’s National Park Authority
WWF, big companies call for more corporate action to protect tigers January 31, 2011As the Year of the Tiger comes to an end, WWF, backed by a group of leading companies, today issued a call for more corporations around the world to reduce their impact on tiger habitats, through responsible procurement of wood, paper, palm oil, coffee, and other commodities.
WWF Condolences to ICCN and Families of Virunga Rangers January 27, 2011WWF: Tiger Numbers Could Triple if Large-Scale Landscapes are Protected January 25, 2011
The tiger reserves of Asia could support more than 10,000 wild tigers – three times the current number – if they are managed as large-scale landscapes that allow for connectivity between core breeding sites, a new paper from some of the world’s leading conservation scientists finds. The paper is the first assessment of the political commitment made by all 13 tiger range countries at November’s historic tiger summit to double the tiger population across Asia by 2022.
WWF: Nepal Translocates First Wild Tiger to New Home January 22, 2011A wild tiger fitted with satellite-collar was successfully translocated from Nepal’s Chitwan National Park to Bardia National Park for the first time today, according to World Wildlife Fund.
Gabon seizes massive cache of ape parts and leopard skins January 19, 2011Law enforcement officials in Gabon have arrested five men accused of possessing illegal animal products, including those of endangered species.
WWF: Oil giant plans new platform near feeding ground of critically endangered gray whale January 17, 2011Sakhalin Energy Investment Company – part owned by Shell – has announced plans to build a major oil platform near crucial feeding habitat of the Western North Pacific gray whale population in the Russian Far East.
Rhino poaching in South Africa reaches all-time high January 12, 2011An astonishing 333 rhinos were illegally killed in South Africa in 2010, including 10 critically endangered black rhinos, according to South African national park officials.
Dramatic Increase in Population of Critically Endangered Mountain Gorillas Confirmed by Census December 07, 2010The number of mountain gorillas, a critically endangered species, has increased by more than 26 percent in one of the two locations where they exist in the wild, according to a new survey released today.
Historic Tiger Summit Closes With Plans to Secure More Financial Backing November 24, 2010The historic International Tiger Conservation Forum ended today with significant plans to discuss further financing options for the Global Tiger Recovery Program approved at the meeting, kick-starting new efforts to double the number of wild tigers.
The Leonardo Dicaprio Fund at CCF Commits $1 Million to WWF to Save Tigers Now November 23, 2010As world leaders gather for a historic summit to save tigers from extinction, Leonardo DiCaprio today committed $1 million to World Wildlife Fund for urgent tiger conservation efforts through his Fund at the California Community Foundation. DiCaprio will also attend this week’s summit.
Tigers Thrown a Lifeline as World Leaders Endorse Funding and Recovery Plan November 23, 2010World leaders and countries that have wild tigers today endorsed a major plan to double the number of tigers in the wild by 2022 underscoring their commitments at the historic International Tiger Conservation Forum.
Russia Summit Could be Historic Turning Point for Tigers, World Wildlife Fund Says November 21, 2010Heads of government attending the International Tiger Conservation Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia this week must ensure the meeting is a turning point in the fight to save tigers by backing their joint plan with immediate action, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said today. The global conservation organization added that it is crucial for any action to have the necessary manpower and financial backing to make a deep and lasting impact.
Myanmar border markets act as deadly trade gateway for tigers November 19, 2010Black markets along Myanmar, Thailand and China’s shared borders play a crucial role in facilitating the deadly illicit trade in tigers and other endangered species, according to a new World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and TRAFFIC report in the lead up to the Global Tiger Forum taking place next week in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Tiger Summit Gets Support From Senator John Kerry and Congresswoman Madeline Bordallo November 17, 2010Today, Senator John Kerry (D-MA), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Congresswoman Madeline Bordallo (D-GU), Chairwoman of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife, introduced resolutions supporting the International Tiger Forum which will take place in St. Petersburg, Russia, next week. The “Tiger Summit,” hosted by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, will bring together the Heads of Government of the 13 tiger range states to agree a recovery plan to double the number of wild tigers by 2022.
More than 1,000 tigers reduced to skin and bones in last decade November 09, 2010Parts of at least 1,069 tigers have been seized in tiger range countries over the past decade, according to new analysis of tiger seizures carried out by TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network.
WWF and TRAFFIC Highlight Dangers of America's 5,000-Plus Backyard Tigers October 20, 2010With more tigers in captivity in the U.S. than survive in the wild, the United States needs a centralized federal database to monitor the big cats, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said today. Weak U.S. regulations could be helping to fuel the multimillion dollar international black market for tiger parts, according to a new review released today by WWF and TRAFFIC, the world’s largest wildlife trade monitoring network.
Wildlife Postage Stamp Bill Clears Congress, Heads to President to be Signed into Law September 23, 2010The House of Representatives yesterday passed by voice vote legislation that would establish a new postage stamp to benefit species conservation efforts. The legislation was first conceived by World Wildlife Fund in 2000 and creation and implementation of the program has been a priority for WWF for the past 10 years.
Russian Tiger Habitat Gets a Boost With Protection of Key Tree Species July 30, 2010The Russian government has introduced measures to protect Korean Pine, a key species found in Amur Tiger habitat in the Russian Far East.
Legendary Actor Dick Van Dyke Named Tiger Ambassador by World Wildlife Fund July 22, 2010Actor Dick Van Dyke has been named an official Year of the Tiger Ambassador by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and will help the organization promote tiger conservation. With as few as 3,200 tigers left in the wild, Van Dyke will help WWF raise awareness and funds for tiger conservation with the goal of doubling wild tiger populations by 2022.
Congressional Briefing to Focus on Global Tiger Crisis July 21, 2010A Congressional Briefing on Thursday, July 22 will discuss the state of wild tigers, current efforts to ensure their survival and how the US can help ensure that tiger numbers double over the next decade. Experts will discuss the need for high level US representation at the upcoming Tiger Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, hosted by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and World Bank President Robert Zoellick. Other issues include increased US funding and technical support for on-the-ground tiger conservation in Asia.and stricter US laws around captive tigers (there are more tigers in captivity in the US than there are in the wild around the world).
Russia Urged to Suspend Seismic Testing that Threatens One of World’s Most Endangered Whales July 16, 201012 governments, including the United States, have sent a letter to the Russian government asking them to encourage its oil and gas giant Rosneft to postpone a seismic survey that is scheduled to take place near Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East at a time when the critically endangered Western North Pacific gray whale migrates to the area to feed.
Push to Save Tigers Leaps Forward at Bali Meeting, WWF Says July 14, 2010Tiger experts from the 13 tiger range countries laid out an ambitious plan to double tiger numbers in the wild by 2022 during a crucial tiger meeting that concluded in Bali today. The meeting was the final one among the 13 countries before world leaders gather later this year at the Tiger Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia.
World Wildlife Fund Launches Texting for Tigers July 12, 2010World Wildlife Fund’s Texting for Tigers promotion launched today, giving people the ability to aid in saving wild tigers from extinction through their mobile phones. By texting “TIGERS” to 20222 from a cell phone, a $10 donation will be made to support WWF’s efforts to protect tigers. With as few as 3,200 tigers left in the wild, down from around 100,000 a century ago, the species is one of the most threatened on the planet. WWF’s goal is to double the global tiger population by 2022.
Milestone Tiger Meeting Set to Create Strong Recovery Agenda July 12, 2010WWF Indonesia CEO Dr. Efransjah and WWF Tiger programme leader Michael Baltzer issued the following statement ahead of the pre-Tiger Summit meeting starting Monday in Bali. Indonesia to Host Pre-Tiger Summit Partners’ Dialogue Meeting, 12-14 July 2010 July 06, 2010
On 12-14 July 2010, Indonesia will host the Pre-Tiger Summit Partners’ Dialogue Meeting, a crucial meeting to be attended by senior government officials from the 13 tiger range countries (TRCs) – Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam.
World Wildlife Fund Announces Partnership with Leonardo DiCaprio to Save Tigers Now May 27, 2010Actor and Activist Leonardo DiCaprio has joined forces with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to save a species on the brink of extinction. With as few as 3,200 tigers left in the wild, WWF and DiCaprio today kicked off Save Tigers Now. The campaign begins with an expedition to remote tiger habitats in Asia to document the wild tigers first hand and learn what needs to be done to save them from extinction.
Four Gorillas Die in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda May 19, 2010Four mountain gorillas were found dead in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, announced World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The mother and three infant gorillas were part of an estimated 380 members of the highly endangered Virunga mountain gorilla population.
Javan Rhino Found Dead in Vietnam May 10, 2010A Javan rhino was found dead late last week in Vietnam’s Cat Tien National Park, further endangering the population of one of the world’s rarest large mammals, World Wildlife Fund announced today. It is now uncertain how many, if any, Javan rhinos are left in Vietnam.
Year of the Tiger Begins with Big Cats in Serious Trouble Around the World, Including Here in the U.S. February 10, 2010As many Asian countries prepare to celebrate Year of the Tiger beginning February 14, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) reports that tigers are in crisis around the world, including here in the United States, where more tigers are kept in captivity than are alive in the wild throughout Asia. As few as 3,200 tigers exist in the wild in Asia where they are threatened by poaching, habitat loss, illegal trafficking and the conversion of forests for infrastructure and plantations.
Greater Mekong Tiger Numbers Have Dropped More Than 70 Percent in 10 Years January 25, 2010Tiger numbers have fallen by more than 70 percent in slightly more than a decade in the Greater Mekong, with the region’s five countries containing only 350 tigers, according to a new World Wildlife Fund (WWF) report released today.
Climate Change Threatens to Wipe Out One of World's Largest Tiger Populations this Century January 19, 2010One of the world’s largest tiger populations could disappear by the end of this century as rising sea levels caused by climate change destroy their habitat along the coast of Bangladesh in an area known as the Sundarbans, according to a new World Wildlife Fund-led study published in the journal Climatic Change.
Tigers, Polar Bears and Blue Fin Tuna Among the Most Threatened Species in 2010, Says World Wildlife Fund December 02, 2009World Wildlife Fund (WWF) today released its annual list of some of the most threatened species around the world, saying that the long-term survival of many animals is increasingly in doubt due to a host of threats, including climate change, and calling for a step up in efforts to save some of the world’s most threatened animals.
Tiger experts call for urgent action to save species November 03, 2009More than 250 experts, scientists and government delegates from 13 tiger range countries this week called for immediate action to save tigers before the species disappears from the wild, citing the urgent need for increased protection against tiger poaching and trafficking in tiger parts.
US Designates Polar Bear Critical Habitat, Creating Some Breathing Space for the Species October 22, 2009WWF applauds today’s announcement of the proposed designation of key areas of polar bear habitat across Alaska by the U.S. Department of the Interior. The requirement for the identification of “critical habitat” was triggered by the listing of polar bears as threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in 2008.
World Bank debunks tiger farming benefits July 09, 2009Experimenting with tiger farming is too risky and could drive wild tigers further toward extinction, the World Bank told a key international wildlife trade meeting today.
Mountain Gorilla Population Increases Despite War January 27, 2009The number of mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park has increased despite the war being waged in and around the area, according to the first count in 16 months.
Tigers, Rhinos, Polar Bears And Elephants Among Most Threatened Species In 2009, Says World Wildlife Fund December 16, 2008World Wildlife Fund today released its annual list of some of the most threatened species around the world, saying that the long-term survival of many iconic animals is increasingly in doubt due to a host of threats.
Border Guard Funds Soccer Trips Through Elephant Smuggling December 10, 2008A border guard in Myanmar takes bribes to smuggle elephants into Thailand so he can travel to World Cup soccer matches, according to an undercover investigation by TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The report found that so many live elephants have been smuggled to support “elephant trekking” tourism in Thailand that some parts of the Myanmar appear to have lost their elephant populations.
One In Four Mammal Species At Risk Of Extinction, Report Shows October 06, 2008World Wildlife Fund said today that governments must double their efforts to save endangered species, as the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List revealed that one in four of the world’s 5,487 known mammal species was at risk of extinction. Species such as tree kangaroos, narwhals and Irrawaddy dolphins are now closer to extinction, say WWF scientists who helped compile the list and work around the world to save endangered species and habitats.
Multiple Polar Bears Discovered Swimming Many Miles From Alaska Coast August 21, 2008An aerial survey by government scientists in Alaska’s Chukchi Sea this week found at least nine polar bears swimming in open water – with one at least 60 miles from shore – raising concern among wildlife experts about their survival. A World Wildlife Fund (WWF) polar bear expert said the bears could have difficulty making it safely to shore and risk drowning, particularly if a storm arises.
Endangered Tiger Moved to Reserve in India in First-Ever Attempt at Relocation July 03, 2008In a groundbreaking effort to preserve the species, an endangered Bengal tiger was relocated to the Sariska tiger reserve in India on June 28th—an area where the entire tiger population was wiped out a few years ago.
Senior WWF official Urges Congress to Embrace Global Approach to Species Conservation June 24, 2008In testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives today, Tom Dillon, senior vice president for field programs at World Wildlife Fund (WWF), urged a new paradigm in international species conservation, comprised of a globally based strategic vision and greater funding for conservation efforts.
Tuna Populations at Risk June 19, 2008A historic meeting next week may decide the fate of tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, one of the world’s most important marine resources.
U.S. Government Affirms that Climate Change is Putting Polar Bears in Peril May 14, 2008Climate change is destroying vital polar bear habitat, putting the species at risk of extinction, the U.S. government said today as it listed the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the world’s largest conservation organization, said the government’s decision clearly indicates that climate change impacts are already threatening the survivability of animals and habitats, and illustrates the urgency of preparing for and adapting to a rapidly changing climate.
MEDIA ADVISORY: Protect Polar Bears / Delay Oil Leases, World Wildlife Fund Says February 04, 2008Washington D.C.- World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is alarmed that a decision to list the polar bear under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to protect the species and its fragile Arctic environment has been plagued with delays while an oil lease sale of nearly 30 million acres of the prime polar bear habitat in the Chukchi Sea is scheduled for February 6 in Alaska.
Polar Bears Need Urgent Protection, Conservation Groups Testify January 30, 2008Washington D.C.– Margaret Williams, WWF’s Director of the Bering Sea ecoregion program, called for urgent action to save polar bears at the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works hearing entitled “Examining Threats and Protections for the Polar Bear” on Wednesday, January 30, 2008. The hearing was convened to examine the status of and legal protections for the polar bear, including the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and the status of listing the species under the act.
WWF Disappointed by U.S. Delay in Listing Polar Bears January 07, 2008WASHINGTON D.C. – World Wildlife Fund (WWF) expressed disappointment over the announcement by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) on January 7, 2008 that it will delay by up to one month a final decision on whether to list the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
Missouri, Auburn and Clemson Universities announce Tigers for Tigers Challenge December 20, 2007WASHINGTON -- December 19 2007 -- Just in time for college football bowl season, the University of Missouri, Auburn University and Clemson University have squared off in another battle: to stop tiger farming and the illegal trade in tiger parts. The three major universities---all with famous tiger mascots---have joined forces with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and initiated a friendly competition to see which school and its alumni can raise the most money to aid real-world tigers around the globe.
Tigers get more protection in Russia’s Far East, says WWF December 19, 2007Vladivostok, Russia--Today the Russian Government created a new national park that is habitat for the endangered Siberian tiger in the country’s Far Eastern region after six years of research and negotiation by World Wildlife Fund. Roughly the size of Rhode Island, Anyuiskii National Park—1562.5 square miles--is the largest of three protected areas established by the Russian government in 2007.
Penguins in Peril as Climate Warms, WWF December 10, 2007Bali, Indonesia - The penguin population of Antarctica is under pressure from global warming, says WWF’s latest briefing.
Solving problems faced by people fleeing conflict in Eastern Congo critical to saving endangered mountain gorillas, says WWF September 12, 2007NAIROBI, KENYA and WASHINGTON DC – With international relief organizations estimating that more than 35,000 people have fled the heavily armed conflict near Sake in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo over the past week, the World Wildlife Fund warned that the habitats of several endangered species, including mountain gorillas, could be put at serious risk.
Baiji Dolphin Previously Thought Extinct Spotted in the Yangtze River August 31, 2007BEIJING-- The reported sighting of a Yangtze River dolphin, or Baiji, means there is still a chance for people to take further action and protect the cetaceans in the Yangtze from extinction, according to World Wildlife Fund.
WWF Kicks Off Process for Certifying Pangasius Aquaculture Products August 20, 2007WASHINGTON, DC: Pangasius producers and buyers, as well as other stakeholders, from throughout the world will meet in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam September 26-27 to begin developing standards for certifying Pangasius aquaculture products - one of the fastest growing types of aquaculture.
Satellite tracking reveals threats to Borneo pygmy elephants August 08, 2007Washington, D.C. - A new WWF study tracking pygmy elephants by satellite shows that the remaining herds of these endangered elephants, which live only on the island of Borneo, are under threat from forest fragmentation and loss of habitat.
Bodies of four critically endangered mountain gorillas found in Congo's Virunga National Park July 26, 2007Washington -- World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and its partners are taking swift action to protect critically endangered mountain gorillas after three females and one male silverback were discovered shot to death in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
WWF Photographs Three-Legged Sumatran Tiger That May Have Survived Capture, Escaped from Snare July 05, 2007WASHINGTON - A WWF camera trap inside an Indonesian national park has captured photographs of a Sumatran tiger in the wild that appears to have escaped from a snare by cutting its paw off.
Scientists Find New Population of Endangered Grey-Shanked Doucs in Vietnam July 02, 2007Tam Ky, Quang Nam, Vietnam – A team of scientists from WWF and Conservation International (CI) has discovered the world’s largest known population of grey-shanked doucs (Pygathrix cinerea), increasing chances that the Endangered monkey can be saved from extinction.
International Whaling Commission Meeting Ends on Sour Note Despite Some Positive Moves for Whales June 01, 2007ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – The 59th annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) ended today with political wrangling and self-interest preventing significant developments for whale conservation.
WWF Experts at Global Tiger Forum Available to Discuss Big Cat Conservation, China Tiger Trade Ban April 17, 2007Kathmandu, Nepal – The world’s leading tiger experts and delegates from at least 12 countries are gathering in Nepal this week to discuss the future of the world’s endangered wild tigers at the International Tiger Symposium and Global Tiger Forum. WWF and TRAFFIC scientists, policy experts and wildlife trade authorities are available to provide updates and comment on the meetings.
WWF Applauds Initial Congressional Efforts to Enact Bills to Protect Rhinos, Tigers and Elephants March 23, 2007The U.S. House of Representatives Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans has passed two bills that provide funding for programs that protect endangered rhinos, tigers and elephants:
Endangered Fish Return Home after Run-In with Poachers March 19, 2007More than 1,000 endangered Humphead Wrasse are en route home after being rescued from poachers in the Philippines this past December. The poachers were apprehended inside Tubbataha Reef Natural Park, a national marine protected area, carrying the Wrasse along with 400 other fish.
Biggest Bust in a Decade of Tiger, Bear Parts in Russia January 19, 2007WASHINGTON - Russian law enforcement officials today seized three Siberian tiger skins, eight tiger paws and 332 tiger bones as well as 531 saiga horns and 283 Asiatic black bear paws near the Russian border with China, making it the the largest bust of its kind in at least a decade. The seizure took place in a village near Russia's eastern border with China in an area where World Wildlife Fund (WWF) works with government authorities to combat the illegal trade of wildlife products when police stopped a car that had its passenger seats removed and was stuffed full of bags. The driver claimed to be delivering bags of potatoes but upon inspection police discovered the animal parts.
WWF Applauds U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for Proposing to List Polar Bear December 28, 2006WASHINGTON, December 28, 2006 - The following is a statement by World Wildlife Fund's vice president Bill Eichbaum on the release of information about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's decision to propose listing the polar bear as "threatened":
Tiger Goes on Camera-Crushing Spree December 11, 2006WASHINGTON - Paparazzi-hating Hollywood stars have nothing on a camera-averse young tiger in central Sumatra that recently went on a 10-day spree of destruction that left three WWF's camera traps in pieces in the jungle. In each case, the film inside was spared and revealed that the same culprit was responsible for all three incidents. Scientists believe the camera's flash upset the tiger.
Baby Boom for World's Rarest Rhino Species September 13, 2006Jakarta, Indonesia/Washington - Scientists have found signs of four Javan rhinos born in recent weeks in Indonesia, a surprising baby boom for a species that may number fewer than 60 individuals in the wild.
Tiger Habitat Down From Just A Decade Ago, New Study Finds July 20, 2006WASHINGTON - The most comprehensive scientific study of tiger habitats ever done finds that the big cats reside in 40 percent less habitat than they were thought to a decade ago. The tigers now occupy only 7 percent of their historic range. The report and related materials can be downloaded at www.tigermaps.org
WWF Captures First-Ever Photo of Wild Rhino on Borneo June 13, 2006Washington - A motion-triggered camera trap set up in a remote jungle has captured the first-ever photo of a rhino in the wild on the island of Borneo, World Wildlife Fund and the Sabah Wildlife Department announced today.
Rare Okapi Sighted in Eastern Congo Park June 08, 2006Washington -- After nearly 50 years, the okapi -- the closest known relative to the giraffe -- has been rediscovered in Virunga National Park in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), World Wildlife Fund announced today. This is the first sign of okapi presence in Virunga National Park since August 1959 according to official records. The discovery happened during a recent survey led by WWF and its Congolese governmental partner ICCN (the Congo Institute for Nature Conservation).
New Study Challenges Claims That States are Better Than Feds Recovering Endangered Species March 29, 2006WASHINGTON - The federal endangered species program is as good as or better at removing species from legal protection as a result of recovery efforts than similar programs operated by states, finds a new study by World Wildlife Fund. Congress is considering dramatic changes to the act. The principle champions for changing the act have long argued that the federal law is a failure since few species protected by the statute have recovered to a point where they have been removed from legal protection, or "delisted."
Indonesian Government Ignores Own Rules, Places Endangered Elephants in Peril March 24, 2006WWF researchers have discovered that ten endangered wild Sumatran elephants are being kept chained to trees without enough food or water in the Riau Province on the Indonesian island of Sumatra in violation of an agreement the government signed in 2004 known as the Riau Human-Elephant Conflict Mitigation Protocol. The elephants have been made homeless by the destruction of the forest they inhabited. Government authorities captured the elephants ten days ago after they raided crops and terrorized residents of a nearby village.
WWF Hails Decision to Create Malaysia's Largest Protected Area for Endangered Orangutans, Rhinos and Elephants March 24, 2006WASHINGTON - World Wildlife Fund today praised a surprise decision by the government of the Malaysian state of Sabah to protect its most important remaining lowland forests on the island of Borneo. This decision will permanently preserve one of just two places in the world where the endangered orangutans, Bornean Pygmy elephants and the critically endangered Sumatran rhino co-exist and where forests are still large enough to maintain viable populations of each.
Protecting Endangered Species Helps Reduce Poverty March 21, 2006WASHINGTON - Saving endangered species like pandas, gorillas and tigers helps reduce poverty and improve the lives of local communities, according to a new World Wildlife Fund report. Now as the eighth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity opens in Curitiba, Brazil, WWF urges the CBD and member governments to integrate species conservation work into efforts to alleviate poverty.
Rhinos clinging to survival in the heart of Borneo, despite poaching March 17, 2006Washington - World Wildlife Fund today released the results of a field survey from the island of Borneo which found that poaching has significantly reduced Borneo's population of Sumatran rhinos, but a small group continues to survive in the "Heart of Borneo," a region covered with vast tracts of rain forest.
Forest Ministry, WWF Launch Human-Elephant Conflict Plan, Call for Immediate Halt to All Natural Forest Clearing in Central Sumatra March 06, 2006Washington - Following the apparent poisoning of a herd of endangered Sumatran elephants last week, the Indonesian Forest Protection and Nature Conservation Agency (PHKA) and World Wildlife Fund, announced plans to immediately begin implementing a protocol to reduce human-elephant conflict in central Sumatra. PHKA also called for an immediate stop to the clearing of all natural forests remaining in Riau Province, site of ongoing human-elephant conflict.
Satellite Tracking Leads to Treatment of Injured Borneo Pygmy Elephant January 31, 2006Sabah Wildlife Department and World Wildife Fund-Malaysia (Asian Rhinoceros and Elephant Action Strategy - AREAS Project) with support from SARAYA Co. Ltd. (Japan) successfully located and treated an injured Borneo Pygmy elephant at Bukit Permata, Lower Kinabatangan on Jan. 24, 2006.
WWF Peeks into Mysterious Life of Borneo's Pygmy Elephants December 16, 2005Washington -- The same satellite system used by the U.S. military to track vehicle convoys in Iraq is helping World Wildlife Fund shed light on the little-known world of pygmy elephants in Borneo.
Alliance Study Pinpoints Epicenters of Earth's Imminent Extinctions December 13, 2005Washington, D.C. - Safeguarding 595 sites around the world would help stave off an imminent global extinction crisis, according to new research published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (www.pnas.org).
December 2005 Marks 25th Anniversary of Wild Panda Conservation December 05, 2005WASHINGTON - December marks the 25th anniversary of wild panda conservation by World Wildlife Fund and China. On December 23, 1980, World Wildlife Fund and Chinese researchers headed into the cold mountains of southwestern China to conduct the first-ever intensive research program on wild pandas, their habitat and their behavior. A quarter century of work moved giant pandas from the brink of extinction to a solid foundation for survival if conservation efforts continue.
Bison Released on Montana Plains - New Prairie Wildlife Reserve is Home to Conservation Herd of Bison November 17, 2005American Prairie Foundation (APF), a Montana-based private land trust, working in cooperation with World Wildlife Fund, today released 16 bison on a portion of 32,000 acres of prairie it owns and leases south of Malta, Montana.
New species found in Fiji's Great Sea Reef, WWF survey reveals November 02, 2005Washington - The first ever comprehensive survey of Fiji's largely uncharted Great Sea Reef, the world's third longest barrier reef, has revealed a staggering array of life, including a new species of reef fish, World Wildlife Fund announced today.
Three South Pacific Nations Announce Plan to Protect World's Largest and Most Endangered Marine Turtle - the Pacific Leatherback October 26, 2005Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon's Islands announced an agreement on October 26 to jointly develop a plan to protect Western Pacific Leatherback turtles, which migrate thousands of miles to feed in the waters off California.
WWF Panda Expert Available For Comment As National Zoo's Panda Cub is Named October 17, 2005WASHINGTON - The head of World Wildlife Fund's panda conservation program is available to help journalists cover the naming and upcoming public debut of the baby panda at the National Zoo and to discuss the status of giant pandas in the wild.
Name that Elephant! July 18, 2005Washington - World Wildlife Fund today invited elephant lovers to help name a Borneo pygmy elephant that will be part of the first study ever conducted on the pint-sized pachyderms.
Year-long Study Shows Circle Hooks Help Save Sea Turtles June 23, 2005Washington, DC - Preliminary results from the first large-scale testing of specially designed fishing hooks are being presented at the annual meeting of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission in Lanzarotte, Spain. Thus far, the results indicate they can reduce the number of endangered sea turtles killed in long line fishing operations by as much as 90 percent, World Wildlife Fund said today.
Leading Scientists Rank Endangered Dolphins, Porpoises Most In Need of Immediate Action June 09, 2005Washington - Leading marine scientists for the first time have assessed dolphin and porpoise populations around the world which are severely threatened by entanglement in fishing gear and recommended nine urgent priorities for action in a report commissioned by the World Wildlife Fund. These nine projects highlight species threatened by bycatch that are the most likely to benefit from immediate action but are languishing without intervention.
WWF Statement on Reports that Ivory-Billed Woodpecker Is Not Extinct April 28, 2005Washington - Carter Roberts, president and CEO-elect of World Wildlife Fund, issued the following statement following reports that the ivory-billed woodpecker has been found in Arkansas, 60 years after it was believed to have gone extinct.
Nepal's Endangered Rhinos Down by One Third Since 2000 April 19, 2005Political instability leading to increased poaching, and a lack of adequate protection over the past five years, have drastically reduced Nepal's rhino population according to World Wildlife Fund.
Caught on Film: WWF Captures Tiger, Tiger Bites Back March 15, 2005Washington - It's rare to escape a tiger attack unscathed. But a hidden camera set up in the Indonesian jungle by World Wildlife Fund has captured a rare Sumatran tiger walking through the jungle and then assaulting the camera after the flash goes off. The camera survived the attack and even took an image from inside the tiger's mouth.
Shell Project May Doom Western Gray Whale to Extinction February 16, 2005WASHINGTON - World Wildlife Fund called upon Royal Dutch Shell Wednesday to abide by the recommendations of an independent panel of renowned whale experts, which has warned that oil and gas activities in Russia's Far East may drive the critically endangered western gray whale into extinction.
Census of China's Giant Pandas Finds Over 40 Percent More Pandas Than Previous Estimates June 09, 2004Beijing, China - The most comprehensive survey of the giant panda population ever undertaken has found almost 1,600 pandas in the wild, nearly 50 percent more than were previously known to exist. The findings come from a four-year-long study of pandas and their habitat, done jointly by the State Forestry Administration of China and World Wildlife Fund.
