Why are so many whales dying in Argentine Patagonia? The southern right whales that use Península Valdés, Argentina as a nursery ground have suffered the largest mortality event ever recorded for the species in the world. At least 605 right whales have died along the Argentine coast since 2003, including 538 newborn calves. One hundred and thirteen calves died in 2012 alone. The Southern Right Whale Health Monitoring Program is working with scientists worldwide to determine why the whales a...

Coastal parks created in Patagonia with assistance from the Wildlife Conservation Society now safeguard sea lions, penguins, dolphins, and other sea life NEW YORK (March 13, 2013)—The Wildlife Conservation Society applauds the Government of Argentina for creating two enormous marine protected areas in Patagonia, a region filled with majestic shorelines and abundant wildlife. The new marine parks—Isla Pingüino Coastal Marine Park and Makenke Coastal Marine Park—were recently established by the...

Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 13 -14 Brooklyn, N.Y. – Oct. 12, 2012- The Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium is hosting a full line-up of educational activities to celebrate African Penguin Awareness Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 13 and 14. The goal of the weekend is to help raise awareness about the African black-footed penguin, an endangered species native to the southern tip of Africa. Activities include: Touch Station – Visitors will see and feel penguin b...

Baby Patagonian cavies; mini Nubian goat kids; new Demoiselle cranes delight visitors of all ages New York, NY – Sept. 6, 2012 – The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Central Park Zoo today announced new additions to the Tisch Children’s Zoo – two baby Patagonian cavies; two mini Nubian goat kids; and three Demoiselle cranes. Patagonian cavies are rodents native to South America. The two new babies were born to mother Mara and father Max the last week of August. Though they look ...

Patagonian cashmere has gone “green” with a new certification by the Wildlife Friendly Enterprise Network. The business venture supports the local economy while respecting this magnificent yet fragile landscape.

WCS applauds efforts of Patagonian partners in sustainability NEW YORK (August 27, 2012)—It’s official: Patagonian “green” cashmere has been certified as “Wildlife Friendly,” according to the Wildlife Conservation Society, supporter of a group of eco-minded cashmere producers living in Argentina’s Patagonian Steppe region. The new certification—granted by the Wildlife Friendly Enterprise Network—represents a victory for the Grupo Costa del Rio Colorado, a cooperative that works to minimiz...

Amazing WCS video captures imperial cormorant diving 150feet underwater, then feeding on ocean floor See the video at: http://youtu.be/jZ4QAWKgBu4 Bird was fitted with tiny camera by conservationists WCS protects cormorant’s coastal home in ArgentinaNEW YORK July 31, 2012— A team of researchers from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the National Research Council of Argentina recently fitted a South American sea bird called ...

The arrival marks the first hatching of this endangered species at the aquarium in 15 years View footage of the penguin Brooklyn, N.Y. – July 24, 2012 – The newest animal to nest at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium is a black-footed penguin chick, the first one to hatch in 15 years at the aquarium. Black-footed penguins are endangered, making the chick’s arrival significant not only for the aquarium, but for the species’...

Bronx, NY – May 8, 2012 – A male black-necked swan swims with three hatchling swans called cygnets in Heart Lake at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo. These cygnets will stay close to their parents for almost a year after hatching. While they are small, they ride on the backs of their parents for warmth, transportation, and protection from predators. Carrying cygnets is most pronounced in black-necked and mute swans, but all true swans are known to do this behavior. Swans have sev...

Visitors will go hog wild for zoo’s newest species Flushing, N.Y. – May 1, 2012 – The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Queens Zoo is now home to a trio of Chacoan peccaries, a species found only in a remote dry forest in South America. “It is very exciting to announce the arrival of these amazing and rare animals," said Scott Silver, Director of the Queens Zoo. “This was a species that was not even known to still exist a few decades ago. Now, being able to show them to New Yorkers helps us f...