Press Releases and Updates

The Story of Baim, a Rescued Baby Orangutan

Read the story about a baby orangutan rescued on the island of Borneo.

Rare Tiger Sighting Provides Inspiration for Conservation

WWF staff member describes his experience after seeing a tiger in broad daylight.

Meet Sidonie Asseme, Female Ranger in Cameroon

Meet Sidonie, a female ranger who works to fight poaching in Africa.

Monks Rally for Mekong Dolphins

Buddhist monks are an effective voice for the protection of endangered species, like the Mekong dolphin.

Sumatran Elephants Listed as Critically Endangered

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species changed the Sumatran elephant's status.

Forest Brigade Fights Wildlife Poaching

Because of international cooperation, an armed antipoaching brigade from three nations patrols forests to protect wildlife.

Record Rhino Poaching in South Africa

Eight rhinos found dead in one day after a year of record losses

Rhinos in the Eastern Himalayas Start 2012 with a Glimmer of Hope

Greater one-horned rhinos start 2012 on a positive note.

Tigers or Toilet Paper?

Learn what you should know before purchasing paper products. Read more

Elephants Under Increased Threat From Illegal Ivory Trade

Elephants are under increased threat from illegal ivory trade.

15 Success Stories of 2011

Discover highlights from our work around the world to protect species and habitats.

More Than 200 New Species Discovered in Mekong

WWF documents the region’s amazing biodiversity and calls for action to protect its wildlife.

A Call for Zero Poaching in the Fight for Tiger Survival

WWF calls for zero poaching and marks significant progress since historic tiger summit.

Rare Close Up of an Amur Tiger

A new photo signals hope for tiger populations in northeast China.

Record Rhino Horn Seizure in Hong Kong

On November 15, 2011, customs officials in Hong Kong seized 33 rhino horns that were smuggled from South Africa.

Remarkable Images of Big Cats Urge Forest Protection

Extraordinary snapshots of five of the seven wild cat species are a reminder of what could be lost to deforestation.

Saving the Rhinos

Relocation efforts help the species as it faces an increasing threat from poachers in South Africa

WWF: Demand for rhino horn leads to record poaching

More 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

Coca-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

WWF and the International Rhino Foundation (IRF) confirmed the extinction of the Javan rhinoceros in Vietnam on October 25, 2011.

Discovering New Information about Narwhals with Satellite Tracking

WWF and partners are using satellite tracking devices to learn more about Arctic whales.

WWF calls for ban on pet tigers

The tragic situation in Ohio has prompted WWF to call for a ban on private ownership of tigers.

True Halloween Story: Fright-Night Creatures Not So Spooky After All

Ghost frogs, vampire bats, spindly spiders, and spooky owls are ingredients in every witch's favorite recipe.

Captive Tigers Stimulate Illegal Trade

The 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

A Second Chance for Black-Footed Ferrets

Once thought to be globally extinct, black-footed ferrets are making a comeback.

Collaborative Effort to Stop Rhino Poaching in South Africa

287 rhinos poached in South Africa this year. Now, more than ever, we need to curb demand for rhino horn and end poaching.

WWF Calls for End to Rhino Poaching on World Rhino Day

Rhino 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 22^nd.

Stamp 2011

The Save Vanishing Species stamp is a new stamp designed to raise money to help protect endangered wildlife and is available at all post offices in the U.S.  Read more

Arctic Sea Ice Levels Plummet to Record Lows

Extreme melting has driven Arctic sea ice levels to record lows.

Massive Illegal Ivory Seizures in Asia and Africa

Massive seizures of illegal ivory have taken place in Asia and Africa.

New Monkey Species Discovered in the Amazon

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

Dolphins in Mekong River on brink of extinction, new study reveals

Irrawaddy 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

WWF 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

Two 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.

Baby Gorilla Poaching Attempt Thwarted

An infant mountain gorilla was rescued from poachers in Rwanda.

Positive Results for Tigers on Global Tiger Day

A time to celebrate conservation successes and raise awareness about the many threats tigers still face.

U.S. Declares Iceland in Defiance of Global Commercial Whaling Ban

Conservation 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

Sea 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.

Tiger Killed in Nepal, Suspects Arrested

The first tiger in Nepal ever to be translocated and fitted with a specialized tracking collar was killed in Nepal in May 2011.

Tiger Semi-Postal Stamp

This exclusive effort will help protect tigers, rhinos, elephants, great apes and marine turtles! Learn more

Stamping Out Extinction: New Postage Stamp Benefits Vanishing Species

The 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

WWF released rare video footage of three Sumatran tiger cubs playfully chasing leaves in the forests of the Bukit Tigapuluh landscape in Indonesia.

Sumatran Tiger Cubs Caught on Camera in Threatened Forest

Camera traps recorded an astounding 12 tigers in just two months in the central Sumatran landscape.

Collective conservation efforts boost Nepal’s rhino population

A recent rhino census in Nepal revealed an increase in the population of greater one-horned rhinos.

Tigers Could Roam Once More in Central Asia

WWF applauds the government of Kazakhstan on an innovative effort to reintroduce tigers where they were previously extinct.

WWF Mourns Death of Virunga National Park Ranger

WWF is saddened by the death of Magayane Bazirushaka, a Virunga National Park ranger in the Democratic Republic of Congo, who was killed when a foot patrol was ambushed on Friday, April 8.

Counting rhinos in the shadow of the Himalayas

Nepal began a national census to determine the status and distribution of the greater one-horned rhinoceros.

India’s wild tiger population increases

India announced that its wild tiger population has increased to 1,706 from 1,411 since the last tiger census in 2007.

Hope for Javan Rhinos

Rare footage of two Javan rhinos and two of their calves was captured on video recently.

Critically Endangered Javan Rhinos and Calves Captured on Video

Dramatic new video footage of two critically endangered Javan rhinos and their calves was released by WWF and Indonesia’s National Park Authority

Snakes on a plane (and turtles and spiders and…)

A man was detained at Thailand’s international airport as he tried to smuggle almost 200 live animals.

Climate Change Harming Polar Bear Cubs

Polar bear litters are decreasing in size due to sea ice decline resulting from climate change, according to a study published in Nature on February 8, 2011. If this trend continues as predicted, the polar bear population could be in serious jeopardy.

Wildlife enforcement in South Asia gets a boost

A new chapter in South Asian regional cooperation for strengthening wildlife law enforcement began with the formal launch of the South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network, which was announced at an inter-governmental meeting in Bhutan in January 2011.

WWF and Global Companies Take Action to Protect Tigers

As Year of the Tiger according to the Chinese lunar calendar comes to an end, it is more crucial than ever to take action to protect wild tigers. 

WWF, big companies call for more corporate action to protect tigers

As 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

WWF: Tiger Numbers Could Triple if Large-Scale Landscapes are Protected

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.

A Future for Tigers

Asian tiger reserves can support more than 10,000 wild tigers—three times the current estimate—if they are managed as large-scale landscapes that protect core breeding sites and benefit local communities, according to the world’s leading conservation scientists in a new study published on January 25. This positive news reveals that doubling the number of tigers in the wild is feasible.

Translocating Nepal’s first wild tiger

Namobuddha became Nepal’s first wild tiger to be fitted with a GPS-enabled satellite collar and translocated from Chitwan National Park to Bardia National Park in Nepal on January 22. WWF supported the translocation with technical expertise and financial aid, working closely with the Government of Nepal and the National Trust for Nature Conservation. The satellite collar will help scientists gain a better understanding of tiger ecology and improve conservation efforts like anti-poaching operations.

WWF: Nepal Translocates First Wild Tiger to New Home

A 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

Law 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

Sakhalin 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

An astonishing 333 rhinos were illegally killed in South Africa in 2010, including 10 critically endangered black rhinos, according to South African national park officials.

On the Move

The female rhino and her calf were greeted with cheers and applause from the Indian Rhino Vision 2020 (IRV 2020) team of conservationists, local representatives, veterinarians and forest department officials as the two made an impatient entry into their new home at Manas National Park in India’s northeastern state of Assam on December 29.

How your choice of paper can help tigers

A new investigation by WWF and other groups reveals that one of the world’s largest paper suppliers is still cutting down the rainforest on the Indonesian island of Sumatra – even though the company claims to have stopped doing so. The forest being cleared is vital to the survival of tigers and other endangered species. You can voice your opposition to this by making more responsible choices about the paper you buy.

Dramatic Increase in Population of Critically Endangered Mountain Gorillas Confirmed by Census

The 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.

Polar Bear Habitat in Alaska Protected

A large segment of Alaska’s sea ice, islands, and coastline that is considered important to polar bears is now designated as critical habitat. As a result of the designation, federally regulated activities – such as oil and gas drilling – that may have an adverse affect on polar bears and others species will get an extra level of review by the government.

Historic Tiger Summit Closes With Plans to Secure More Financial Backing

The 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

As 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

World 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

Heads 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 are deadly trade gateway for tigers

Rare and endangered Asian big cats are sold in black markets along Myanmar, Thailand and China’s shared borders, facilitating a deadly illicit trade in tigers and other endangered species says TRAFFIC and WWF’s joint report “The Big Cat Trade in Myanmar and Thailand.”

Myanmar border markets act as deadly trade gateway for tigers

Black 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

Today, 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.

If we save the tigers, we'll save the planet

Tigers have long provoked awe in the human imagination, becoming symbols of untamed nature whose "fearful symmetry," in the words of William Blake, has inspired everything from art to advertising. In the wild, however, tigers are on the verge of disappearing.

More than 1,000 tigers reduced to skin and bones in last decade

Parts 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. Reduced to Skin and Bones shows that from January 2000 to April 2010, parts of between 1,069 and 1,220 tigers were seized in 11 of the 13 tiger range countries—or an average of 104 to 119 animals per year. Of the 11, India, China and Nepal ranked highest in the number of tiger part seizures, the report states, with India by far the highest number of tiger part seizures.

More than 1,000 tigers reduced to skin and bones in last decade

Parts 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.

Veteran anti-poaching ranger awarded top WWF honors

Anatoly Belov, a long-time Russian anti-poaching ranger working on the frontlines of protecting tigers has been awarded the 2010 WWF Duke of Edinburgh Conservation Medal. The medal was first given in 1970 and is awarded annually by WWF for outstanding service to the environment.

WWF and TRAFFIC Highlight Dangers of America's 5,000-Plus Backyard Tigers

With 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.

Camera catches bulldozer destroying Sumatra tiger forest

A video camera trap installed by WWF and partners has captured footage linking the destruction of a crucial Sumatran tiger forest to the expansion of palm oil plantations in Indonesia’s Riau Province.

New Discoveries in the Greater Mekong Highlight the Need for Urgent Action

Wildlife Postage Stamp Bill Clears Congress, Heads to President to be Signed into Law

The 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.

Rhino Day Trumpets Poaching Crisis

Africa’s rhinos received a massive—and loud—show of support during Rhino Day on September 22. South Africans all around the country blew their vuvuzelas as a symbolic call for immediate action to stop rhino poaching through strengthened law enforcement and strict legal penalties.

Putting a Price on the Future of Tigers

The PloS Biology Journal, a respected scientific journal, published a paper last week entitled Bringing the Tiger Back from the Brink - the Six Percent Solution, which presents a powerful case for the need to refocus efforts on the protection of the last remaining strongholds for the tiger. The paper is based on a study led by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and focuses on how much it will cost to stop tigers from becoming extinct. WWF helped to provide data for the study and supports the paper’s conclusion that there is a need to rebalance conservation efforts.

World’s Rivers and Dolphins at Risk

Dwindling freshwater dolphin numbers are raising concerns about the declining health of some of the world’s most important rivers, shows a new study by WWF. According to the report, the main culprit is the increasing pressure that unchecked human demands for food, energy and other goods is placing on freshwater ecosystems.

Critically Endangered Whales Flee Russian Oil and Gas Boom

Russian oil and gas company, Rosneft, is conducting oil and gas exploration work that may have caused the critically endangered western gray whale to flee its main feeding ground. Tests and offshore installment of equipment by Rosneft for a major seismic survey began in late August, despite repeated calls from 12 governments, NGOs, scientists and the public requesting to postpone the survey because of potential risks to the whales. Seismic surveys are done by blasting the water with acoustic noise to detect oil and gas deposits under the ocean floor.

African rhino poaching crisis

A Reason to Celebrate

This year the major highlight of the Amur Tiger Cultural Festival in the northeastern Chinese city of Hunchun was not the colourful costume parade, art performances or even the ecological tour of a tiger habitat.

Live tiger found in luggage

A two-month-old tiger cub was found sedated and hidden among stuffed-tiger toys in the luggage of a woman at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport on Sunday.

One fan at a time

Almost 60,000 new trees are going to reforest critical tiger habitat on the Indonesian island of Sumatra as a result of global connection made on Forest Friends, an initiative that brings together young adults from Indonesia and Germany.

Russian Tiger Habitat Gets a Boost With Protection of Key Tree Species

The 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

Actor 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

A 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).

Police Detained Members of Illegal Tiger Trading Syndicate in Riau, Sumatra

On July 17, 2010, police detained two people involved in the Sumatran tiger illegal trading syndicate in Pekanbaru, Riau Province of Sumatra. Yoga Rusdiansyah, 26, and Hidayat Saldi, 45, are under investigation.  Yoga was caught with six decapitated tiger heads, five tiger pelts and seven kilograms of tiger bones. The tiger body parts were set to be exported to Malaysia. Based on Yoga’s testimony, he has conducted illegal activities for three years with up to five packages sent in one month. Hidayat’s status is still under further investigation.

Russia Urged to Suspend Seismic Testing that Threatens One of World’s Most Endangered Whales

12 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. 

Bali Tiger Pre-Summit meeting comes to an end but looks to September

Push to Save Tigers Leaps Forward at Bali Meeting, WWF Says

Tiger 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

World 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

WWF 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

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.

Vietnam’s Environmental Police dig their claws into illegal big cat trade

Vietnam’s Environmental Police have confiscated two frozen tigers and a frozen leopard in the central province of Nghe An.

Centenarian supporter of WWF attests to disappearance of wildlife

David Ankoh has what it takes to have his name entered into the Guinness Book of Records. He is 109 years old living in the sub Saharan country of Cameroon where life expectancy for men is about 50, is a father of 88 children, lives in a village at the periphery of the Boumba-Bek National Park and is not only a witness to a disappearing abundance of wildlife, but is also a strong supporter of WWF work in the area.

"Mid-air ballet" takes top prize

What does WWF wildlife biologist Christy Williams do when he’s not monitoring wildlife or leading WWF’s Asian Rhino and Elephant conservation program? He watches wildlife of course, and, fortunately for the rest of us, he also photographs what he sees.

This combination of passion and profession recently produced a series of stunning photographs which resulted in Christy being named Sanctuary magazine’s RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland) 2009 Wildlife Photographer of the Year. 

Breakthrough

Significant findings have come to light in the ongoing investigation into the suspected poaching of a Javan rhino in Vietnam’s Cat Tien National Park, perhaps the last of its kind.

World Wildlife Fund Announces Partnership with Leonardo DiCaprio to Save Tigers Now

Actor 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.

The First Family

A few years ago, India’s Panna Tiger Reserve made global headlines when all of its tigers were lost to poachers. Now Panna is once again in the news, this time for three very good reasons. This spring, a trio of cubs were photographed with their mother, marking the very first time in recent conservation history that a translocated tiger has given birth in the wild.

Four Gorillas Die in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Four 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.

Dogs Join the Fight to Save Wild Tigers

Thanks to their keen sense of smell, dogs are put to work sniffing out bombs, drugs, earthquake survivors and lost children. Now, WWF is using them to help sniff out tigers. Or tiger dung, to be precise.

Javan Rhino Found Dead in Vietnam

A 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.

Swedish hunters help save Amur tigers

The Swedish Association for Hunting and Wildlife Management is helping Russian tiger conservation efforts thousands of miles away by sharing its secrets to raising prey animals like deer and wild boar.

Poachers Nabbed with Three Amur Tigers

This month, suspected members of a Chinese poaching gang were captured by Russian border patrol after sneaking into a tiger sanctuary near Kymen-Rybolov, a Russian village near the Chinese border.

Borneo’s New World

Scientists have discovered more than 123 new species in the Heart of Borneo area during the past 3 years – an average of more than 3 new species per month. These finds include the world’s longest known stick insect, a flame-colored snake and a color-changing frog. In total, 67 plants, 29 invertebrates, 17 fish, five frogs, three snakes and two lizards and a brand new species of bird have been discovered.

Hope for the Future: Rare Photo of Pregnant Sumatran Rhino

Images of the near-extinct Sumatran rhino were recently captured by WWF-Malaysia and the Sabah Wildlife Department’s camera traps. Experts believe that this rhino is pregnant, giving hope for the species and adding urgency to the enforcement of anti-poaching laws in the region’s forest and wildlife reserves.

Update: Fishing countries must respect Doha message on tuna, says WWF

At the close of the world’s largest wildlife trade convention meeting, global conservation organization WWF welcomed the statement today by the regional fisheries management organization in charge of the Atlantic bluefin tuna fishery – the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, ICCAT – that its members should agree and implement a scientifically sound recovery plan for the species when they meet in November in Paris, France.

CITES can help save bluefin tuna, stem wildlife poaching crisis

Governments meeting March 13 for the largest wildlife trade convention will have a unique opportunity to help preserve the world’s oceans and simultaneously stem a worldwide poaching crisis.

Year of the Tiger Begins with Big Cats in Serious Trouble Around the World, Including Here in the U.S.

As 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.

Tiger Range Countries and partners make new conservation commitments in Thailand

Governments from across Asia’s tiger range countries (TRCs) sent a powerful message that new efforts to save wild tigers from extinction would begin immediately and called for total protection of critical tiger habitats as the 1st Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation concluded today at the resort of Hua Hin, Thailand.

Greater Mekong Tiger Numbers Have Dropped More Than 70 Percent in 10 Years

Tiger 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

One 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. 

New Study shows Bengal Tiger’s Habitat in Danger

A new study by WWF scientists and partner organizations has found global climate change could shrink Bangladesh’s Sundarbans tiger habitat by 96 percent, potentially reducing the tiger population to fewer than 20 breeding individuals. An estimated sea level rise of 11.2 inches above 2000 levels by 2070 means this unique mangrove ecosystem could disappear within half a century.

Camera traps yield rare footage of Sumatran tiger with cubs

Video cameras installed in the Sumatran jungle have captured close-up footage of a tiger and two cubs, the first time that WWF has recorded evidence of tiger breeding in central Sumatra in what should be prime tiger habitat. The images have led to renewed calls for stronger measures against poaching and the rapid deforestation of tiger landscapes on the Indonesian island. 

Tigers, Polar Bears and Blue Fin Tuna Among the Most Threatened Species in 2010, Says World Wildlife Fund

World 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.

Rhino poaching surge in Africa, Asia

Rhino poaching worldwide is on the rise, according to a new report by TRAFFIC and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Nepal expands critical tiger habitat

Kathmandu, Nepal- The Government of Nepal announced today an expansion of Bardia National Park in the Terai Arc Landscape by 900 sq km, which will increase critical habitat for tigers.

MoU signed for restoration of Orangutan Habitat in Heart of Borneo (HoB)

Asia's Biggest 'tiger' Unveils Promise For Wild Tigers

China received praise here today from the International Tiger Coalition (ITC) for promising to work with its neighbors to end tiger trade and bring back wild tigers.

Tiger experts call for urgent action to save species

More 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.

A Time for Tigers

Tiger experts, government officials, scientists and conservationists are gathering in Kathmandu, Nepal this week to start a new global dialogue on how to save wild tigers as the world prepares to celebrate the Year of the Tiger in 2010. The Kathmandu Global Tiger Workshop is the first in a series of high profile political negotiations culminating in a Tiger Summit in 2010.

US Designates Polar Bear Critical Habitat, Creating Some Breathing Space for the Species

WWF 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.

Tiger Rescue Points to Urgent Need for More Patrols

A five-year-old male Tiger was freed from a poacher’s snare on Sunday after it was found by WWF’s Wildlife Protection Unit (WPU) just off a highway that cuts through the Belum-Temengor forest complex in the northern state of Perak.

Protecting Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises

Seven out of the 13 great whale species are still endangered or vulnerable, even after decades of protection. Whales, dolphins and porpoises are succumbing to new and ever-increasing dangers.

World Bank debunks tiger farming benefits

Experimenting 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.

Disappearing dolphins clamor for attention at whale summit

Small whales are disappearing from the world’s oceans and waterways as they fall victim to fishing gear, pollution, and habitat loss – compounded by a lack of conservation measures such as those developed for great whales.

A new WWF report: Small cetaceans: The Forgotten Whales (link), states that inadequate conservation measures are pushing small cetaceans – such as dolphins, porpoises and small whales – toward extinction as their survival is overshadowed by efforts to save their larger cousins.

Controversial Paper Company Driving Sumatran Species to Local Extinction

A massive logging operation planned by one of the world’s largest paper companies would destroy the forest home of 100 great apes that are part of the only successful reintroduction program for Sumatran orangutans.

Mountain Gorilla Population Increases Despite War

The 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.  

Mountain Gorillas Reported Safe in Virunga National Park

For the first time in more than a year, mountain gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) Virunga National Park have been seen by park rangers, and are reported to be doing well.

Tigers, Rhinos, Polar Bears And Elephants Among Most Threatened Species In 2009, Says World Wildlife Fund

World 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.

Elephant and ivory trade in Myanmar

Border Guard Funds Soccer Trips Through Elephant Smuggling

A 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

World 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

An 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

In 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

In 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

A 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

Climate 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.  

U.S. GovernmentUpdate: WWF Joins Suit Opposing Lease Sale 193 in the Chukchi Sea

Climate 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.

WWF Joins Suit Opposing Lease Sale 193 in the Chukchi Sea

WWF has joined with a coalition of Alaska Native and conservation groups who filed suit in federal district court in Alaska on January 31, arguing that in making its decision to hold the lease sale, Minerals Management Service (MMS) – an agency within the DOI – did not adequately weigh the impacts oil and gas activities would have on wildlife like polar bears, or on native villages along Alaska’s North Slope.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Protect Polar Bears / Delay Oil Leases, World Wildlife Fund Says

Washington 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

Washington 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

WASHINGTON 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

WASHINGTON -- 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

Vladivostok, 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

Bali, 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

NAIROBI, 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

BEIJING-- 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.

Cross border haul of Illegal bear and tiger parts seized in Russian Far East

Customs and the Frontier Service in the Primorskii province in the Russian Far East have seized a massive cache of illegal wildlife products bound for China.

WWF Kicks Off Process for Certifying Pangasius Aquaculture Products

WASHINGTON, 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

Washington, 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

Washington -- 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

WASHINGTON - 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

Tam 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

ANCHORAGE, 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

Kathmandu, 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

The 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

More 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

WASHINGTON - 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

WASHINGTON, 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

WASHINGTON - 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

Jakarta, 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

WASHINGTON - 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

Washington - 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

Washington -- 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

WASHINGTON - 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

WWF 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

WASHINGTON - 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

WASHINGTON - 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

Washington - 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

Washington - 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

Sabah 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

Washington -- 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

Washington, 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

WASHINGTON - 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

American 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

Washington - 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

Indonesia, 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

WASHINGTON - 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!

Washington - 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

Washington, 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

Washington - 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

Washington - 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

Political 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

Washington - 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

WASHINGTON - 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

Beijing, 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.