Read on Twitter
This morning's report from @wwf_uk paints a pretty bleak picture of the state of the world's wildlife, one that cannot be underestimated & needs to be addressed.
But it is also important to look at what can be done. So here are some positive stories from the past few weeks 1/8
But it is also important to look at what can be done. So here are some positive stories from the past few weeks 1/8
This year, a record number of cougar kittens have been recorded in the hills surrounding Los Angeles, showing that large predators can thrive even in such close proximity to large urban centres #ConservationOptimism 
2/8 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/04/mountain-lion-kittens-california-santa-monica-mountains
2/8 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/04/mountain-lion-kittens-california-santa-monica-mountains
In 1997, there were only 370 mountain gorillas in the world. So far this year, seven babies born in Bwindi National Park up from just three last year. Five of those have been born in the last six weeks alone! #ConservationOptimism 
3/8 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-53997900
3/8 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-53997900
Sustainable management of arapaima, the world's largest scaled fish, is not only helping to conserve the species but is also helping to empower women in fishing communities #ConservationOptimism 
4/8 https://news.mongabay.com/2020/08/fishing-for-change-local-management-of-amazons-largest-fish-also-empowers-women/
4/8 https://news.mongabay.com/2020/08/fishing-for-change-local-management-of-amazons-largest-fish-also-empowers-women/
In the 1970s there were only around 100 black lion tamarins left in the wild.
Now there are at least 1,800 of the primates, and Gabriela Rezende is leading a program to build forest corridors for the growing population #ConservationOptimism
5/8 https://news.mongabay.com/2020/07/the-woman-building-the-forest-corridors-saving-brazils-black-lion-tamarin/
Now there are at least 1,800 of the primates, and Gabriela Rezende is leading a program to build forest corridors for the growing population #ConservationOptimism
5/8 https://news.mongabay.com/2020/07/the-woman-building-the-forest-corridors-saving-brazils-black-lion-tamarin/
By sampling bits of DNA left in the environment, scientists may have found traces of a frog listed as extinct after having not been seen since 1968.
While not conclusive, it gives hope that they may still be out there #ConservationOptimism
6/8 https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2020/09/lost-frogs-rediscovered-environmental-dna
While not conclusive, it gives hope that they may still be out there #ConservationOptimism
6/8 https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2020/09/lost-frogs-rediscovered-environmental-dna
Finally, a study out today has shown that that extinction rates for birds and mammals would have been 3 to 4 times higher over the last 20 years if conservation efforts had not taken place #ConservationOptimism 
7/8 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/sep/10/up-to-48-species-saved-from-extinction-by-conservation-efforts-study-finds-aoe?CMP=share_btn_tw
7/8 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/sep/10/up-to-48-species-saved-from-extinction-by-conservation-efforts-study-finds-aoe?CMP=share_btn_tw
Clearly wildlife is in an incredibly precarious situation, with unsustainable development and exploitation threatening the future of many thousands of species.
But I think it is also good to be reminded that things can improve, and species can be saved #ConservationOptimism 8/8
But I think it is also good to be reminded that things can improve, and species can be saved #ConservationOptimism 8/8
