Wednesday, Sept. 10, 20143 to 5 p.m.Bronx, N.Y. – Sept. 2, 2014 – The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Education Department and Fordham University Department of Biological Sciences will be hosting this year’s Bronx Science Consortium Research Symposium at the Bronx Zoo on Wednesday, September 10, from 3 to 5 p.m. The symposium features poster presentations by high school, undergraduate, and graduate-level researchers. Participants will be available to answer questions about their projects in scie...

A new paper looks at the issues facing biodiversity throughout the world’s mountain regions, sets agenda for conservation Do we need corridors between “habitat-islands?” BOZEMAN (September 2, 2014) – A recently published paper provides a history of scientific research on mountain ecosystems, looks at the issues threatening wildlife in these systems, and sets an agenda for biodiversity conservation throughout the world’s mountain regions. The paper, “Mountain gloom and mountain glory revisited:...

New York (August 28, 2014)—A new study reports that an expansion of marine protected areas is needed to protect fish species that perform key ecological functions. According to investigators from the Wildlife Conservation Society and other organizations, previous efforts at protecting fish have focused on saving the largest numbers of species, often at the expense of those species that provide key and difficult-to-replace ecological functions. Many vital ecological functions of ocean ecology a...

Fewer than 1,000 critically endangered Siamese crocodiles remain in the wild NEW YORK (August 28, 2014) – The Wildlife Conservation Society announced today the successful release of 17 juvenile critically endangered Siamese crocodiles into a protected wetland in Lao PDR. The one-to-two-year-old crocodiles, which range between 50-100 cm (20-39 inches) in length, were raised in facilities managed by local communities working with WCS to protect the endangered reptiles and their habitat. The juven...

Discovery Guides answer visitor questions and help with special events and activities for the public Project TRUE is an urban environmental education program that gives students hands-on experience in urban ecology Applications and information available at wcs.org/volunteer Brooklyn, N.Y. – Aug. 27, 2014 – The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Prospect Park Zoo is accepting applications for its Teen Discovery Guide and Project TRUE programs.Discovery Guides work on the zoo’s trail and inside exh...

Registration is open for the first fully supported week-long tour in the region; created to benefit the Adirondack Park Saranac Lake, NY – August 26, 2014 – The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) today announced Cycle Adirondacks, a week-long, road bike tour through the Adirondack Park featuring daily routes that will allow riders to be immersed in the forests, lakes, streams and abundant wildlife habitat of the famed Adirondack region. Local WCS wildlife experts will be on hand all week to pr...

New York (August 19, 2014) – The following statement was issued by John Calvelli, WCS Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Director of the 96 Elephants Campaign: “Today’s landmark study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, authored by 96 Elephants partner Save the Elephants and other groups, confirms the widespread slaughter of elephants throughout Africa driven by ivory poaching. These tragic numbers underscore the urgency of banning the ivory trade. Recent WCS res...

Brooklyn, N.Y. – August 15, 2014 – The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Prospect Park Zoo is offering ongoing family-friendly activities throughout the summer. “Inside Scoop Mondays” include presentations by zoo educators about animals in the zoo. Each week features different animals. (Mondays, 12 to 3 p.m.) “Storytelling Tuesdays” feature animal stories and puppet fun in the Amazing Animals building. (Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m.) “Wild Art Wednesdays” include animal-themed cr...

Authors find that Giant South American river turtles have a repertoire of vocalizations for different behavioral situations, including caring for young New York (August 14, 2014)— Turtles are well known for their longevity and protective shells, but it turns out these reptiles use sound to stick together and care for young, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society and other organizations. Scientists working in the Brazilian Amazon have found that Giant South American river turtles actuall...

Impressive reptiles top 600 poundsB-roll download here:Bronx Zoo Aldabra Giant Tortoises B-roll.movBronx, NY – Aug. 14, 2014 – Two giant Aldabra tortoises (Geochelone gigantean) are now grazing outside Zoo Center at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo.Both tortoises are males; one weighs approximately 400 pounds and the other tips the scales at around 600 pounds. Their exhibit is located at the iconic Zoo Center and resembles their natural habitat with a sandy substrate, lush vegetatio...