National Geographic Society’s Post

In 2003, the population of the Saiga Antelope was just 20,000. They were critically endangered. Now, thanks to the Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative, there are 2.86 million roaming the Golden Steppe of north Kazakhstan. This impressive example of wildlife conservation is a huge collaborative effort. It brings together modern-day technologies, local knowledge, and global partnerships to save an ancient landscape. But Altyn Dala isn’t done yet. The aim is to make the Steppe a fully functioning ecosystem again. By inspiring the next generation, it hopes to conserve 8.5 million hectares of land. Watch how Altyn Dala is making steps in the right direction here: https://lnkd.in/e74v3bnB

The steppe covers about 41 per cent of Kazakhstan. It is an important landscape that we need to conserve and protect. Learn more about the vast areas of the Golden Steppe from Vera Voronova, chair of the Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative leadership team, in this video, created by the The Earthshot Prize team.   The Golden Steppe of Kazakhstan might look empty at first sight, but get a little closer, and you’ll find there is much to marvel at. Skylarks rain a continuous burble of song from far above, while the breeze carries the herbal aroma of wormwood, sending ripples through the feather grass and tulips, making it look like a golden ocean. This is the realm of the saiga, an antelope that has walked the earth since the time of our Neanderthal ancestors, alongside a unique group of animals and plants. The population collapsed in 2005, reaching lows of fewer than 40,000. Now, thanks to the work of the Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative, the population has risen from 20,000 to a staggering 2.86 million. This is what the Earthshot-Team calls: wildlife conservation on an epic scale.   Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative are one of the fifteen Finalists of The Earthshot Prize 2024 as one of three in the “Protect and Restore Nature” category. Each Finalist represents a pioneering solution to our most pressing climate and environmental challenges. Please keep your fingers crossed for the announcement of the winners on Wednesday 6 November in Cape Town, South Africa.   The Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative is a long-term collaborative partnership between Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology & Natural Resources, FZS, ACBK — Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan , RSPB , Fauna & Flora   #EarthshotPrize #AltynDala #FrankfurtZoologicalSociety #FZS #MakingConservationCount #SaigaAntelope #ConservationHeroes #EcosystemRestoration #ProtectAndRestoreNature #KazakhSteppe #WildlifeConservation #Biodiversity #SustainableFuture #UNDecadeOfRestoration #SaveOurPlanet

The power of transformation when tourism is done right.

During the past year, I have placed trail cameras in various regions of Portugal to study the diversity of wildlife across different habitats. One of the most exciting observations I made was the thriving Otter population in the Ocreza River, in the Castelo Branco area. "As a semi-aquatic top predator, the Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) is sensitive to water quality and is therefore considered as the bioindicator species and flagship species for freshwater ecosystem conservation (Ruiz-Olmo et al., 1998;Bifolchi and Lodé, 2005;Bedford, 2009)" This discovery underscores the critical importance of preserving healthy ecosystems for otters and numerous other species that depend on these habitats. #RewildingPortugal #LontraPortugal #ProtegerAsLontras #WildlifePortugal #BiodiversidadePortugal #ConservaçãoPortugal #ProtegerANatureza 

🌊🐧 On this World Penguin Day, we highlight the Galápagos Penguin, the world's only northerly penguin species found exclusively in the Galápagos islands. However, these penguins are facing challenges such as declining populations due to changing ocean conditions and the presence of introduced predators. 🌎 As we commemorate World Penguin Day, let's also recognize the importance of conservation efforts to protect these amazing birds and their marine ecosystem. Global collaboration and local commitment are essential to ensuring a secure future for the Galápagos Penguins. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/euXJJfWF

I'm honored to have contributed to a new global scan of #CulturalKeystoneSpecies co-authored with friends and colleagues, including Giulia Mattalia, Alex McAlvay Irene Teixidor-Toneu Jessica Lukawiecki Jeffrey Sandra Diaz and many others, published today in the journal People and Nature. This new paper addresses the cultural significance of wildlife to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities and their stewardship under customary forms of conservation governance. We conclude the paper with a call to support Indigenous-led conservation actions in the implementation of global conservation agreements, such as the #GlobalBiodiversityFramework. The paper is #OpenAccess and can be read here: https://lnkd.in/gGypM3Ji

TARGET 22: Ensure Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice and Information Related to Biodiversity for all 

Flowers for Elephants by Peter Martell: This is an uplifting and empathic book about communities, conservation, and what can be achieved when both people and wildlife are prioritised equally. This comes at such an important time when more and more researchers and practitioners are asking questions about repairing our relationship with nature, Martell offers beautifully narrated insight into Lewa's success as a place of co-existence.

The Fauna & Flora International (FFI) Cambodia Programme has achieved a significant milestone in Siamese crocodile conservation. Over the past 25 years, the organization has successfully bred 500 of these critically endangered reptiles, a species listed as one of the world’s most endangered forest reptiles by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Read more: https://lnkd.in/ghWjFx4v

Unpacking the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area - KAZA TFCA Summit: Been making a reflection on the recently held KAZA Heads of States Summit and made few observations. As we continue unpacking the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area - KAZA TFCA Some key points about the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area - KAZA TFCA: 1. KAZA is endowed with a wide range of species diversity – flora and fauna. There are more than 3,000 plant species throughout the TFCA, of which 100 are endemic to the sub-region. 2. KAZA also caters to large-scale migrations of megafauna, hosting the largest contiguous population of African elephant on the continent, making the African elephant a flagship species of the TFCA. 3. KAZA is key conservation area for threatened species such as the lion, cheetah, and African wild dog, of which an estimated one quarter of the population is found in the TFCA. 4. Over 600 bird species have been identified, as well as 128 reptile species and 50 amphibian species. 5. Importantly, KAZA is home to renowned tourism destinations of the Southern African region including Chobe National Park, Hwange National Park, Kafue National Park, and the Makgadikgadi Pans. 6. The TFCA is also home to the Victoria Falls, a natural and cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site (mixed WHS), and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. KAZA harbors two additional mixed WHS – the Okavango Delta, and Tsodilo Hills. #RegionalTourism #RegionalIntegration #Conservation #SustainableTourism #VisitZimbabwe