June 1, 2015—Recent forecasts on the impacts of climate change on the world’s coral reefs—especially ones generated from oceanic surface temperature data gathered by satellites—paint a grim picture for the future of the “rainforests of the sea.” A newer and more complex model incorporating data from both environmental factors and field observations of coral responses to stress provides a better forecasting tool than the more widely used models and a more positive future for coral reefs, according to a new study by the Wildlife Conservation Society and other groups.

 

The following statement was released today by WCS President and CEO Cristián Samper, who also serves on the U.S. Federal Advisory Council on Wildlife Trafficking. The statement concerns the ivory crush that took place in China today and comments from the Chinese Government on ivory:

May 29, 2015 —The Government of Madagascar has officially inaugurated Makira Natural Park, home to 20 species of lemur and over 50 percent of Madagascar’s plant biodiversity, and the first protected area to be created in a national network of 95 new marine and terrestrial protected areas established by the Government of Madagascar.

New York – May 28, 2015 – On Thursday, May 28, the Empire State Building’s world-famous tower lights will shine in green to commemorate the 120th anniversary of WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society). WCS, with its headquarters based at the Bronx Zoo, was founded on April 26, 1895.  The organization operates the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and the New York Aquarium, and conducts field conservation programs in nearly 60 nations and in all the world's oceans.

May 27, 2015 - Aerial surveys of elephant populations in Uganda’s national parks have shown their numbers are increasing according to Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Uganda Wildlife Authority(UWA).

MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE (May 26, 2015) – A major decline in elephant numbers in Mozambique was announced by the Minister of Land, Environment and Rural Development, Minister Celso Correia, at a signing ceremony for trans-boundary conservation cooperation between Mozambique and Tanzania in Maputo last night.

May 22, 2015—The Government of Bolivia, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and a number of Bolivian research and conservation organizations announced today (the International Day for Biological Diversity) the launching of a new scientific expedition, Identidad Madidi, into the heart of Madidi National Park—the most biodiverse protected area in the world—in an effort to describe still unknown species and to showcase the wonders of Bolivia’s extraordinary natural heritage at home and abroad.

May 22, 2015 – WCS applauded the introduction of a bill, H.R. 2494, the Global Anti-Poaching Act, that would bolster wildlife trafficking law enforcement, including allowing the transfer of old military equipment to rangers and strengthening the prosecution of offenders under racketeering and money laundering laws.

May 19, 2015 – WCS applauded Rep. José Serrano (D-NY) and Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) as they received the “Standing Tall for Zoos and Aquariums” award from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Bronx, NY – May 15, 2015 – The following statement is from Jim Breheny, WCS Executive Vice President and General Director of the WCS Zoos and Aquarium.