The beaver is one of nature’s most skillful architects, but it doesn’t just create lodges for its own toothy kin. The dams this engineering rodent builds can create water storage ponds that provide habitat for entire communities of wildlife, and ensure streams flow even when there is little rain and snowfall. As climate change warms up the earth and dries out valleys across the West, beavers have become an increasingly important ally in helping natural communities adapt.

The Grand Canyon Trust is a 2011 recipient of a WCS Climate Adaptation Fund grant, provided by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. The group is working to reintroduce beavers in dozens of stream segments in Southern Utah, and tracking the benefits they provide to local ecosystems.

WCS and University of Montana Find Nearly 1,000 Wild Yaks In Remote Tibetan Plateau Once decimated by hunting, wild yaks may be returning Wild yaks are Asia’s third largest land mammal NEW YORK (January 16, 2013) — A team of American and Chinese conservationists from the Wildlife Conservation Society and University of Montana recently counted nearly 1,000 wild yaks from a remote area of the Tibetan-Qinghai Plateau. The finding may indicate a comeback for this species, which was decimated by ...

First range-wide study of bowhead whale genetics finds much genetic diversity lost during age of commercial whaling Canadian pack ice no barrier to ice-savvy bowheads crossing between oceans NEW YORK (October 18, 2012)—Scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society, the American Museum of Natural History, City University of New York, and other organizations have published the first range-wide genetic analysis of the bowhead whale using hundreds of samples from both modern populations...

NEW YORK (October 17, 2012) — A new study co-authored by the Wildlife Conservation Society identifies countries most vulnerable to declining coral reef fisheries from a food-security perspective while providing a framework to plan for alternative protein sources needed to replace declining fisheries. The study looked at 27 countries around the world and found two common characteristics: nations with low incomes that lack the ability to adapt to alternative protein sources; and middle-income na...

Sunday, Sept. 23 to Saturday, Sept. 29  Brooklyn, N.Y. – Sept. 21, 2012- The Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium is hosting a full line-up of educational activities to celebrate Sea Otter Awareness Week on September 22 and 23, and 29 and 30. The festivities will raise awareness about otters, oceans, and other marine wildlife. Activities include: Learning the Facts – Visitors will see and feel otter-related materials including real pelts, representations o...

With help from WCS, the Bolivian Park Service released a new compendium documenting the abundant plant and wildlife found within Madidi National Park. The natural haven houses more than 200 mammal species, 11 percent of the world’s birds, and the vibrant parrot snake, photographed as it slithers through the trees.

Park contains 11 percent of the world’s birds, more than 200 mammal species Announcement released at IUCN World Conservation Congress JEJU, REPUBLIC OF KOREA September 12, 2012 – A remote park in northwest Bolivia may be the most biologically diverse place on earth, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), which helped put together a comprehensive list of species found there. The announcement was released at the IUCN World Conservation Congress, an international gathering of conser...

Event Date: Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012 Register now>> Brooklyn, N.Y. – Sept. 5, 2012–Pacific walruses at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium have been basking in the summer weather -- perhaps resting up for WCS’s Run for the Wild, to be held on the boardwalk at the New York Aquarium on Saturday October 6th. This year’s 5k run and family fun run/walk will benefit walruses and other sea life. Walruses are facing serious environmental threats. Climat...

Wildlife Conservation Society and partners call for regulation of international trade in sharks and rays  JEJU, REPUBLIC OF KOREA, September 4, 2012—The Wildlife Conservation Society and over 35 government agency and NGO partners participating in IUCN’s World Conservation Congress this week are urging the world’s governments to take urgent steps to save the world’s sharks and rays from the relentless pressure of over-fishing for international trade.  WC...

The government of Madagascar has officially created Makira Natural Park, the nation’s largest protected area and a haven for lemurs. Having vied for this safeguard for more than a decade, WCS applauds this watershed moment in the country’s history.