Nine organizations have joined together to pledge $5 billion over the next 10 years to support the creation, expansion, management and monitoring of protected and conserved areas of land, inland water and sea, working with Indigenous Peoples, local communities, civil society and governments. This marks the largest private funding commitment ever to biodiversity conservation.

Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY – June 17, 2021 – Some very lucky aquarium visitors were treated to an unusual surprise on Memorial Day this year. A California sea lion pup (Zalophus californianus) was born in full view of the morning crowd. The pup, which has yet to receive its name, is healthy and doing great. “It is unusual for visitors to have the opportunity to witness the birth of an animal at the aquarium,” said Craig Piper, interim New York Aquarium Director and WCS Di...

Trillion Trees’ partner the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has proven the viability of Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) in degraded forest areas of Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest National Park – even during a pandemic.

A new global study has found that only 2.5 percent of tropical reefs are formally protected and conserved through laws and regulations. These numbers are significantly lower than previous estimates, and highlight an urgent need for governments, communities, and partnering organizations to create and expand marine reserves to protect these ecosystems which support more than 500 million people worldwide.

New York, April 22, 2020 – The following update was issued by WCS’s Bronx Zoo today: On April 5, 2020, we reported that a four-year-old female Malayan tiger had tested positive for COVID-19 and three other tigers and three African lions were showing similar symptoms. Samples for testing from the tiger, Nadia, were collected from her nose, throat, and respiratory tract while she was under anesthesia. Subsequently, we can confirm that the three other tigers in Tiger Mountain and t...

COVID-19 is a disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.  Although COVID-positive people can infect tigers and lions in zoos by close contact involved with caring for them, cats are not easily infected, and SARS-CoV-2 is not known to occur in any population of any wild cat species in nature. It is extremely unlikely that wild cats can transmit the virus that causes COVID-19 to humans.

New York, April 10, 2020 – The following update was issued by the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo: We are pleased to report that since the USDA and Bronx Zoo made the announcement on Sunday that one of our female Malayan tigers tested positive for COVID-19, her condition continues to improve, along with the other three tigers and three African lions that exhibited similar symptoms. Nadia and the other cats are behaving normally, eating well, and their coughing is greatly re...

 

The New York Aquarium is temporarily closed as New York City deals with the COVID-19 crisis. During the closure, the animal care staff remains focused on the health and well-being of the animals – including the latest addition to the Sea Cliffs exhibit. Erie, a California sea lion pup (Zalophus californianus) born this fall, will be ready to greet visitors when the aquarium re-opens.

 

The EU announced a four-year, two million euro initiative to protect the Cross River Gorilla – the world’s most endangered great ape – and secure the Cross River National Park, while promoting sustainable livelihoods for communities that live adjacent to the gorilla’s forest home.

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has announced 13 new grants to nonprofit organizations implementing on-the-ground, science-driven projects that will help wildlife and ecosystems adapt to climate change.