“I must also say that we must not be short-sighted in cutting resources to those institutions and organizations that contribute to our economic vitality and may well be part of the solution in restoring prosperity.” Frank J. Franz, Belmont Business Improvement District NEW YORK (May 27, 2009)—The following testimony was given by Frank J. Franz, Chairman of the Belmont Business Improvement District, to the New York City Council in support of the full restoration of funds for New York City’s 34 cu...

It’s Not Only Fish That Need Coral Reefs WASHINGTON (MAY 20, 2009) The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) held a Congressional policy briefing today on Capitol Hill highlighting the need for better policies to protect the world’s coral reefs in the face of climate change. Featured speakers included WCS President and CEO Dr. Steven E. Sanderson, WCS Director of Marine Conservation Dr. Caleb McClennen, and WCS Senior Conservation Zoologist Dr. Tim McClanahan. Honorary hosts at the brief...

Wildlife Conservation Society applauds the launching of Coral Triangle Initiative at CTI Summit in Manado, Indonesia NEW YORK (MAY 15, 2009) On May 15, 2009, the Heads of State of Indonesia, the Philippines, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Malaysia, signed a “leaders declaration” to officially launch the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF). As part of this historic initiative, the six countries pledge “accelerated and colla...

WCS Commends the New York State Legislature and Governor for Investing in Conservation, the Environment, Education, and Economic Development NEW YORK – April 3, 2009 – The following statement was released by the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Executive Vice President of Public Affairs, John Calvelli: We applaud the New York State Legislature and Governor Paterson for having the vision during these economically difficult days to invest in zoos, botanical gardens, and aquariums through the Enviro...

The Bronx Zoo's Wednesday, the Porcupine, stars for a second time in newly released viral video NEW YORK (March 17, 2009) -- The Wildlife Conservation Society is releasing a second viral video starring its now famous porcupine, Wednesday, to convince Albany to restore funding New York State's zoos, botanical gardens, and aquariums in fiscal year 2010. This video, in which Wednesday appears in an unemployment office, follows her first production in which she was fired from the Bronx Zoo due to pe...

NEW YORK, JANUARY 16, 2009 -- The following statement was released today by the Wildlife Conservation Society’s President and CEO, Dr. Steven E. Sanderson: The world is in economic turmoil. As a result, the Wildlife Conservation Society – like families and businesses across our nation – is facing a dire financial situation that will endure for some time, requiring us to change WCS in painful ways in the coming weeks and months. We are in a global crisis, and we don’t know its full extent or shap...

With support from WCS, Argentina declares a new coastal marine park to protect half a million penguins, cormorants, oystercatchers, and other rare seabirds.

Park rangers still need support in war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo NEW YORK (January 7, 2009)— Protecting gorillas in Virunga National Park relies on supporting the rangers who have already sacrificed much to save the park’s mountain gorillas and other wildlife, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society, which has pledged $15,000 in support for the park guards and their families. In the latest bout of insecurity in the war-torn region of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the park...

Protecting gorillas in Virunga National Park, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, relies on supporting the rangers who have sacrificed much to save the mountain gorillas and other wildlife. WCS has pledged $15,000 to help support the park guards and their families.

Wildlife-Rich Burdwood Bank is Now Protected NEW YORK (October 9, 2008) – The Wildlife Conservation Society announced today that the government of Argentina has recently banned commercial fishing along an 1,800 square kilometer (694 square mile) submerged island rich in species found no where else on earth and an important feeding ground for sea lions, penguins, albatross and other marine life. The area, known as Burdwood Bank, lies 220 km (136 miles) off the Southern Argentine Coast. Burdwood i...