For years, beavers have been trapped and shot as varmints in the western U.S. According to WCS’s Jeff Burrell in the New York Times, though, people are starting to realize we need cheap ways to store water or “we’re going to be up a creek, a dry creek.” Beavers (and their dams) can help.It turns out beaver dams aren't easy to replicate, and the benefits they provide are crucial. Due largely to fur trapping, by 1930 there were no more than 100,000 beavers in North America, down from the tens of m...

On social media, bison fans are posting their #BeardsForBison Senate passed bipartisan resolution to officially commemorate National Bison Day Find a Bison Day event near you at www.votebison.org Washington, D.C. – October 31, 2014 – The Vote Bison Coalition is joining bison-friendly businesses, groups and individuals around the country today to celebrate the third annual National Bison Day on Saturday, November 1. More than 19 events are occurring in at least 15 states to celebrate N...

WCS study finds strong management can protect fisheries – and local fishing-based economies – otherwise affected by climate disturbances NEW YORK (October 24, 2014) – A new study has found that implementing stricter fisheries management overcame the expected detrimental effects of climate change disturbances in coral reef fisheries badly impacted by the 1997/98 El Niño, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society. The 17-year study led by WCS fisheries scientists found that rapid implementati...

At the WCS Prospect Park Zoo: Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 25 and 26; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.At the WCS Queens Zoo: Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 1 and 2; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. After-School Halloween Party: Friday, Oct. 31; 3 to 4:30 p.m.New York – Oct. 16, 2014 –Halloween fun awaits at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Prospect Park Zoo and Queens Zoo during the annual Boo at the Zoo weekend, presented by Canon. Boo at the Zoo at the Prospect Park Zoo will be held on Saturday and Sunday, October 25 and 26, ...

WCS’s Wildlife Crimes Unit assists Ministry in bustArrest marks first-ever enforcement action of Indonesia’s recent national protection of manta raysIndonesia operates largest known shark and ray fisheries on earthNEW YORK (SEPTEMBER 30, 2014) – The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), Government of Indonesia, and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)’s Wildlife Crimes Unit announced today the first-ever series of enforcement actions against a trader of sharks and rays in Indonesia...

Arrests latest in enforcement crackdown in Niassa National Reserve Operation coincides with new conservation law to deter poachers Marrupa, Mozambique, Sept. 29, 2014–Two known ivory poachers were arrested and five illegal firearms seized on Monday, September 22nd near Niassa National Reserve by a joint force including Niassa Reserve scouts from WCS and the Ministry of Tourism, supported by the new branch of the Mozambican police in charge of environmental crimes, and other scouts from the Luwir...

Native groups from U.S. and Canada join to support restoration of bison; renew cultural and spiritual ties BOZEMAN, MT (September 24, 2014) – Yesterday afternoon, dignitaries from U.S. Tribes and Canadian First Nations signed a treaty—the first among them in more than 150 years—to establish intertribal alliances for cooperation in the restoration of American buffalo (or bison) on Tribal/First Nations Reserves or co-managed lands within the U.S. and Canada. This historic signing of the “Norther...

One year ago, WCS launched the 96 Elephants campaign to stop the killing, stop the trafficking, and stop the demand for illegal ivory. Since then, half a million of you have taken action.

For the second year in a row, Senate designates National Bison Day to celebrate bison’s contributions to our culture, economy and environment Celebration of America’s Largest Land Mammal will be November 1st this year Washington, D.C. – September 18, 2014 – The Vote Bison Coalition today applauded the U.S. Senate’s passage of a resolution to celebrate National Bison Day this year on November 1. The Vote Bison Coalition, comprised of the Inter-Tribal Buffalo Council, National Bison Association,...

Orlando, Florida, Sept. 15, 2014 – The following statement was issued today by Wildlife Conservation Society President and CEO Cristián Samper from the 2014 AZA Annual Conference: “We applaud the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), in partnership with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), for launching a global design challenge on how to use the ivory from the U.S. ivory crush. “The six-ton U.S. ivory crush in November sparked ivory destruction events by nations across the glo...