WCS finds Vietnam’s commercial wildlife farms are hurting, not helping wildlife. A new report says the farms are a detriment to conservation efforts and enforcement.

Landmark Legislation Paves Way to Comprehensive Climate Change Policy NEW YORK (MAY 21, 2009) - The Wildlife Conservation Society applauds U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and U.S. Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) of the House Energy and Commerce Committee for including provisions on forestry preservation in the American Clean Energy and Security Act. The provisions call for action to avoid the burning or cutting down of the world’s forests. Deforestation results in one-fifth of total greenhouse...

New report says farms are a detriment to conservation efforts & enforcement NEW YORK (May 21, 2009)—Commercial wildlife farms in Southeast Asia—where rare snakes, turtles, crocodiles, monkeys, and other species are bred and raised in captivity for the purpose of producing meat and wildlife products—do not alleviate the exploitation of populations in the wild. In fact, wildlife farms make the problem worse, according to a recent joint study by the Wildlife Conservation Society and Vi...

It’s Not Only Fish That Need Coral Reefs WASHINGTON (MAY 20, 2009) The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) held a Congressional policy briefing today on Capitol Hill highlighting the need for better policies to protect the world’s coral reefs in the face of climate change. Featured speakers included WCS President and CEO Dr. Steven E. Sanderson, WCS Director of Marine Conservation Dr. Caleb McClennen, and WCS Senior Conservation Zoologist Dr. Tim McClanahan. Honorary hosts at the brief...

Scientists discover the world’s largest nesting population of leatherback sea turtles on the beaches of Gabon. The finding offers new hope for the future of this endangered species.

Wildlife Conservation Society applauds the launching of Coral Triangle Initiative at CTI Summit in Manado, Indonesia NEW YORK (MAY 15, 2009) On May 15, 2009, the Heads of State of Indonesia, the Philippines, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Malaysia, signed a “leaders declaration” to officially launch the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF). As part of this historic initiative, the six countries pledge “accelerated and colla...

Bronx, NY – May 14, 2009 -- The Wildlife Conservation Society today released economic impact numbers showing that it generates about $414.6 million in economic activity in New York City annually, creating jobs, purchasing goods and pumping money into the cash registers of local businesses, many in underserved areas.A break down of the $414.6* million economic impact on NYC by WCS looks like this:$285,800,000, due to operational expenditures$76,200,000, due to capital expenditures$52,560,000, due...

WCS helps buy an exclusive stretch of sand on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, where the endangered maleo lays its giant eggs. The beach is also a haven for sea turtles.

Strange birds lay (eggs that is) on exclusive beachNEW YORK (May 12, 2009)—A private beach is a luxury for most, but for the maleo—an endangered bird found only on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi—an exclusive stretch of sand is now a protected nesting area for the species, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society.Located on the Binerean Cape in northern Sulawesi, the 14-hectare (approximately 36 acres) beach is now owned by PALS (Pelestari Alam Liar dan Satwa, or Wildlife and Wildlands C...

WCS Testifies Before Congress on Bills to Save Icons of the Wild Including the Issuance of New U.S. Postal Stamp NEW YORK (MAY 5, 2009) The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Executive Vice President of Conservation and Science Dr. John Robinson testified today before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans, and Wildlife, in favor of a new postage stamp that would help some of the world’s most beloved – but endangered – wildlife. H.R. 1454, the Multinational Species Con...