A recent study found that although the amount of protected land is increasing globally, biodiversity isn’t necessarily being protected.

BOZEMAN, MT (June 30, 2014) -- The following statement was issued by Keith Aune, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Bison Program Coordinator, lead spokesperson for the American Bison Society (ABS), and Chair of the IUCN Bison Specialist Group for North America:“WCS, ABS, and the IUCN Bison Specialist Group applaud the bison conservation strategy outlined today by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) in its Bison Report: Looking Forward that calls for restoration of bison to multijurisdic...

Brooklyn, N.Y. - June 30, 2014 – A harbor seal pup (Phoca vitulina) was born at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium – only the second harbor seal born at the aquarium in the past 15 years. The male pup was born on May 27 and weighed 22 pounds at birth. “He has already made an impression on visitors and staff,” said Jon Forrest Dohlin, WCS Vice President and Director of the New York Aquarium. “He is a delightful addition to the aquarium and a treat to everyone who comes through...

Brooklyn, N.Y. – June 26, 2014 – A golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia) mother and its baby perch on a branch at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Prospect Park Zoo. The young tamarin was born on May 9. Golden lion tamarins are listed as Endangered by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), with only about 1,000 animals surviving in nature. The breeding of the species is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan, a cooperative breed...

WCS study shows earlier spring seasons brought about by climate change causing long-distance migrants to breed sooner (NEW YORK-JUNE 25, 2014) – A new collaborative study that included the work of Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) biologists has revealed that migratory birds that breed in Arctic Alaska are initiating nests earlier in the spring, and that snowmelt occurring earlier in the season is a big reason why. The report, “Phenological advancement in arctic bird species: relative impor...

New paper looks at the expanded role of the scientist in conservation and its impact on America’s natural heritage (BOZEMAN - June 24, 2014) A new paper shows that while science plays a critical role in informing conservation action, scientists must move beyond the realm of their expertise into less familiar areas like public relations, education, and even politics, to ultimately meet America‘s conservation goals. The paper, “Moving Beyond Science to Protect a Mammalian Migration Corridor,...

Washington, DC – June 24, 2014 –The Wildlife Conservation Society applauds American actor Ian Somerhalder for his testimony before a Congressional subcommittee at today’s Federal Hearing on the U.S. Ivory Ban on behalf of elephant conservation. Best known for his roles in the TV dramas Lost and The Vampire Diaries, Somerhalder appeared before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources, where he testified in support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s plan for a ban on ...

WCS commends Ian Somerhalder for his testimony at today’s federal hearing on the U.S. Ivory Ban. “His willingness to lend his invaluable support to the fight to strengthen federal conservation action to protect elephants and the world’s wildlife inspires others to join our cause” said John Calvelli, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs.

Authors of study recommend protected area expansion must target areas that contain high numbers of threatened species that are currently unprotectedNew York (June 24, 2014 at 5 p.m. ET)—Scientists from James Cook University, the Wildlife Conservation Society, the University of Queensland, Stanford University, BirdLife International, the International Union for Nature Conservation, and other organizations have warned that the world’s protected areas are not safeguarding most of the world’s imperi...

(BOZEMAN - June 23, 2014) A new report from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) calls for completing the legacy of Wilderness lands on the Flathead National Forest in Montana. The report identifies important, secure habitats and landscape connections for five species—bull trout, westslope cutthroat trout, grizzly bears, wolverines, and mountain goats. These iconic species are vulnerable to loss of secure habitat from industrial land uses and/or climate change. Located in northwest Montana ad...