Burdwood Bank in the Patagonian Sea will protect whales, penguins, and rare cold corals WCS commends Argentina’s government and thanks local partners of the Forum of NGOs for the Conservation of the Patagonian Sea WCS has advocated for open-ocean protected areas in the Patagonian Sea since 2005 NEW YORK (August 1, 2013)—The Wildlife Conservation Society’s President and CEO, Cristián Samper, issued the following statement on the recent declaration by Argentina to designate Burdwood Bank as t...

Wildlife Conservation Society study reveals main drivers of botfly infection Higher precipitation levels and deforestation leading to increased parasitism of developing chicks NEW YORK (July 15, 2013)—A new report by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Disease Ecology Laboratory of Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral, Argentina (ICIVET LITORAL, UNL-CONICET) shows that increases in precipitation and changes in vegetative structure in Argentine forests – factors driven by cl...

Flushing, N.Y. – July 8, 2013 – An endangered southern pudu, (Pudu puda), the world’s smallest deer, was born at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Queens Zoo. The young doe weighed 1 pound at birth; could weigh as much as 20 pounds as an adult. The fawn is still nursing but will soon transition to fresh leaves, grain, kale, carrots and hay. Pudu have extraordinary characteristics: they will bark when they sense danger and can climb fallen trees. Although small in stature, only 12 to 14 inch...

First book to bring together top experts on all penguin species, say Wildlife Conservation Society and University of Washington NEW YORK (May 21, 2013)—A new book on the world’s penguins highlights both the diversity of these endearing, flightless birds as well as the many threats faced by these species, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society and the University of Washington. Published by the University of Washington, the book—titled Penguins: Natural History and Conservation—featu...

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...