SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA (July 2, 2012) – A Central African protected area that straddles three countries and teems with gorillas, elephants, and chimpanzees has been named a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Education, Science, and Cultural Organization, UNESCO. Called the Sangha Tri-National Protected Area complex (known by its French acronym TNS) the site consists of a 25,000 km2 (10,000 square-mile) contiguous area across the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), Cameroon, and the Centra...

Forest elephants congregate en masse within TNS, a new World Heritage Site, sometimes in groups of 100 or more. Nowhere else in the world are this many forest elephants spotted together. 

Park Headquarters Destroyed by Bandits in Epulu, Democratic Republic of Congo  Attack on Okapi Faunal Reserve leaves guards and villagers dead and wildlife slaughtered  WCS staff working in the park safe and accounted for  Funds desperately needed to rebuild park facilities and resume conservation of wildlife  New York (June 29, 2012)—The Wildlife Conservation Society reports that all WCS staff members working in the Okapi Faunal Reserve ...

Bandits murdered 7 people and 14 okapis when they attacked the village of Epulu and Okapi Wildlife Reserve. Although okapis share physical similarities to zebras, they are more closely related to giraffes.

Alliance for Global Conservation Commends Legislation for Increasing U.S. Role in Tackling International Conservation Issues WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Alliance for Global Conservation (AGC) applauded the introduction of the Global Conservation Act (GCA) in both the Senate and House of Representatives. The nonpartisan bill was introduced by Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Tom Udall (D-NM) as well as U.S. Representatives Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) and Russ Carnahan (D-MO). The bi...

Pup rescued after found stranded three times Rare opportunity helps zoo maintain vital genetic diversity in sea lion population in WCS's five NYC wildlife parksView the video: http://youtu.be/Xtpf2GRaefc @font-face { font-family: "MS PGothic"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }a:link, span.MsoHyperlink { font-family: "Times New Roman"; color: blue; text-decoration: underline; }a:visited, span.MsoHyp...

Biodiversity Research Institute, Wildlife Conservation Society Join Forces on Major Wildlife Monitoring Study Sponsored by NYSERDA Albany, NY (June 28, 2012)–An extensive study of New York’s Adirondack loon population has revealed that mercury contamination can lead to population declines of the iconic bird. The research effort was a joint project between the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI) and ...

Loons nesting and raising their young in the New York Adirondacks are increasingly threatened by mercury contamination, which impacts reproduction and behavior. A new scientific report on Adirondack loons emphasizes the importance of reducing mercury in the atmosphere.

A Statement Issued by Dr. James Deutsch, Executive Director for the Africa Program of the Wildlife Conservation Society NEW YORK (June 28, 2012)—“Gabon becomes the second African country, after Kenya, to completely reject the ivory trade by burning their valuable stockpiles of confiscated and recovered elephant ivory. When Kenya first did this in 1989, it helped lead to an international ban on trade in ivory, and that led to a collapse in the price of ivory and a remarkable rec...

Wildlife Conservation Society and Morgan Stanley Graduate First-Ever Class of “Future Leaders” From Innovative Program Providing Job Training and Opportunity For Underserved Youth at the Bronx Zoo Bronx, NY – June 26, 2012 – Some of the graduating participants of the Future Leaders program are joined by representatives of the Wildlife Conservation Society, Morgan Stanley, and The Pinkerton Foundation. Pictured from left to right: Laurie Dien, The Pinkerton Foundation; Andrew Moult...