Amazon

Scientists have discovered a new species of monkey on an expedition into one of the least known areas of the Brazilian Amazon.  

Guyana’s National Assembly recently approved a bill that provides a path for the establishment of a national system of protected areas.

Leaders from 30 countries met at the Brazzaville Tropical Forest Summit to find shared solutions to save their forests and support the fight against the devastating consequences of climate change.

WWF hosted the screening and discussion of "The Madeira River: Life Before the Dams" as part of the 2011 DC Environmental Film Festival.

In the lush rainforests of the Amazon, scientists have discovered a blue-fanged bird-eating spider, a black and blue-colored poison dart frog, a pink river dolphin and a camouflaged anaconda. These and thousands more species were discovered in the Amazon between 1999 and 2009, at the average rate of one new species every three days, according to a new WWF report.

The four main candidates for president in the Brazilian elections have declared themselves opposed to key points in a controversial legislative proposal to reduce protection against forest loss. Opposition by the candidates was strongest against provisions which would grant an amnesty to major past acts of illegal deforestation. The candidates also admitted the need to develop a genuinely forest-based economy, reduce deforestation to zero, adopt appropriate new instruments and conduct research.

A documentary filmed in the Apaporis basin of the remote Upper Rio Negro portion of the Colombian Amazon is making its premiere in New York City from July 30 through August 5 and in Los Angeles, from August 5 to12.  

Fewer trees were cut down in the Amazon this year, creating an opportunity to apply sound government policies to halt deforestation in other damaged forests, WWF says.

WWF has enjoyed many significant conservation achievements across the past year. Below are a few success stories highlighting exciting results, but also emphasizing our continuous commitment to confront the ongoing challenges faced by our planet. 

Water is taken for granted by those for whom access to it is as easy as a trip to the kitchen sink. But, in fact, we are facing a deepening crisis of freshwater resources. 

Despite the Brazilian government’s recent crack-down to stop the accelerating loss of the Amazon’s rain forests, deforestation continues to increase. From August 2007 to July 2008, Brazil deforested almost 3 million acres – an area nearly the size of the state of Connecticut.

The 2008 WWF Duke of Edinburgh Conservation medal has been awarded to former Brazilian Environment Minister Her Excellency Senator Marina Silva.

The government of Bolivia recently declared the Bolivian river dolphin as a Natural Heritage. This designation highlights the value placed on the conservation of this species and the freshwater ecosystems in the Beni province of northeastern Bolivia where it lives. The government committed to continuing its protection of this emblematic cetacean and pledged to strengthen measures to conserve the dolphin and its habitats.

New data from the government of Brazil shows that deforestation rates for the Brazilian Amazon from August 2006 to July 2007 have fallen for the third consecutive year - and are the lowest registered for the region since 1991.

Brasilia, Brazil - Today nine Brazilian conservation organizations, including WWF-Brazil, launched an initiative to protect the Amazon's rainforests. This historic pact establishes a system of economic incentives for conservation with a goal of eliminating deforestation of the Brazilian Amazon by 2015 - an ambitious 7 year target.

Washington, D.C. - The Blue Moon Fund recently awarded WWF a grant to ensure that construction of the Madeira dams in the Amazon River basin does not permanently harm the region's biodiversity, economic potential and local communities. Established in 2002, the Blue Moon Fund supports nonprofit organizations working to build a sustainable balance between humans and nature.

Cali, Colombia - In recognition of his groundbreaking work to conserve South America's pink river dolphins, Dr. Fernando Trujillo was awarded both the Whitley Award sponsored by HSBC Holdings and the Whitley Gold Award, the Whitley Fund for Nature's most prestigious honor. Dr. Trujillo is the founder and scientific director of the Fundación Omacha - a partner of WWF-Colombia in the Amazon and Orinoco Basins. With support from WWF and its local partners, Dr. Trujillo is working with a team of young South American scientists to survey river dolphin populations along the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers and their tributaries in Venezuela, Colombia, Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador. Central to his work is a strong campaign to stop the killing of dolphins and other endangered species for use in the catfish industry.