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Conservation News ~ 31 January 2020

1/31/2020

Predator-free sanctuary for seabirds, rare native plants opens at Cape Farewell
Xavante tribe digs in as Brazil reneges on vow not to build a road in their reserve
Dam that threatens orangutan habitat is ‘wholly unnecessary”
Borneo locals win a court battle to bar a coal miner from their land
Rare trees are disappearing as ‘wood pirates’ log Bolivian national Parks
New ‘sharpshooter’ leafhopper species, second of its kind, ‘strikes’ with its coloration
Kentucky biologists discovered a new crayfish and for the right price, you can name it
More than a dozen states strive for 100 percent renewable energy
House Democrats advance legislation to undo White House attack on Endangered Species
Court says that Northern Long-eared Bat was unlawfully denied Endangered Species protection
Botswana to change strategies on anti-poaching following massive rhino poaching
The Philippines is making roads and cement with plastic garbage
Environmentalists create ‘plastic expiry date’ stickers to show impact of packaging
House Natural Resources Committee passes landmark bipartisan Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act
Marine heat wave linked to sharp increase in whale entanglements
Missing Mexican butterfly activist found dead
Environmental artist Tomas Saraceno successfully flies a solar-powered hot air balloon over Argentina
Court orders logging to stop in parts of Victoria’s central highlands after fires
The UN says the world needs to prepare for ‘millions’ of climate displaced
Greta Thunberg applies to trademark her name to prevent misuse
Lab turns trash into valuable graphene in a flash
DDT and other banned chemicals pose threat to vulnerable dolphins on Great Barrier Reef
Hundreds of Canadian workers are blockading an oil refinery right now
The environmental lawyer who won a massive judgment against Chevron lost everything
In memoriam: 28 indigenous rights defenders murdered in Latin America in 2019
Indigenous, protected lands in Amazon emit far less carbon than areas outside
Huge rise in Scotland’s deer cull needed to protect land
White House manipulated wildfire science to encourage logging
The Guardian to ban advertising from fossil fuel firms
Indonesian environment ministry ends WWF partnership amid public spat
The Pacific Ocean is so acidic that it’s dissolving Dungeness crabs’ shells
King’s College Cambridge to create wildflower meadow on its famous chapel lawn
30-year-old law on documenting factory farms has been ruled unconstitutional
Humanity has killed 83% of all wild mammals and half of all plants
Investors urge drillers, miners not to take advantage of White House environmental rollbacks
Fluorescent pink slug, unique to Australian mountaintop, survives bushfires
Rolls-Royce plans to build up to 15 mini nuclear reactors in Britain
Iceland didn’t hunt any whales in 2019 – and public appetite for whale meat is fading
United States spend ten times more on fossil fuel subsidies than education
Endangered Maui birds to be moved in effort to save species
For Colombia, 2019 was a year of environmental discontent
Mongabay editor now detained 6 weeks in Indonesia
NGOs demand inquiry into Environment Minister aid to Amazon land grabbers
Belize officially declares wildlife corridor in key protected area complex
Melting Arctic sea ice may be altering winds, weather at equator
UK’s love of chicken fueling mass forest loss in South America
India cleared to bring Cheetahs back to forests
Oceanographers predict increase in phytoplankton by 2100
Slashing speed limits doesn’t slow roadkill
Brazil’s pick of a creationist to lead its higher education agency rattles scientists
Albino elephant calf rescued after being trapped in snare for four days
48 suspected abalone poachers arrested in Garden Route swoop
The UN climate negotiations are over, and they were a disaster
Poll finds 92% of British Columbians want old growth forests protected
Ecuador signs agreement to establish 17k acre El Guabo Municipal Protected Area
Endangered Silver-sided humpback chub headed toward recovery
Atmospheric river storms can drive costly flooding and climate change is making them stronger
Global warming could have a negative impact on biodiversity
New Jersey to become first state to make builders consider climate change
Welsh Zoo welcomes critically endangered black rhino calf
Recovery plan proposed for endangered bumble bee involved in pipeline litigation
Half of Brits feel pressure to go vegan
Osprey flies over 6,900 kms from Finland to Kenya
South African Tourism Services Association to ban captive wildlife interactions by July
Peruvian indigenous group wins suit to block oil exploration in Amazonian region
Mexico City just elected its first female mayor and she’s a fearless scientist and environmentalist
Northwest salmon in peril, and efforts to save them scale up
New emails shot the Justice Department is helping Big Oil fight climate lawsuits
Idaho bill would create year-round wolf hunting season, wolf-free zones in some areas
Rhode Island Governor aims for 100% renewable power by 2030
Park Rangers find 2 people dead in Rocky Mountain National Park
Biologists recommend urgent action to protect California Spotted Owls
Greece elected an Environmentalist as its first woman president
Population of endangered ocelots discovered in Sonora near Arizona border
China bans wildlife trade after coronavirus
Brazil creates Amazon Council and Environmental Police force
Donkeys will be extinct in Kenya by 2023
Scientists pinpoint sites key for protection of Loggerhead Turtles
World consumes 100 billion tons of materials every year
Mangroves and sea grasses 40-50 times more efficient at storing carbon than terrestrial forests
Indonesian forest fires push orangutans into starvation mode
New Conservation Area in Texas boasts hundreds of natural springs
Agency rules grizzly bears in Selway-Bitterroot protected under Endangered Species Act
Mercedes to ditch leather for vegan interiors thanks to Lewis Hamilton
Florida man who killed endangered sawfish sentenced
Black African teenager edited from photo of white teenage climate activists
Fast-growing fungal proteins could slash agricultural emissions ten-fold
Scientists find plastic pouring into Antarctic
Chinese authorities seize 12 tons of beaver penises smuggled from Canada
Jordan Cove Energy Project withdraws application for key Oregon permit
Santa Barbara Zoo adds three California Condor to its ongoing recovery program
Platypuses at risk of extinction due to Australia’s devastating drought
World first as Cheetah brothers are relocated from UK to South Africa
Coca-cola says it won’t ban plastic bottles because its customers still want to use them

Conservation News ~ 24 January 2020

1/24/2020

Colorado River’s Humpback Chubmight be removed from endangered species list
New species of Allosaurus discovered in Utah
White House guts environmental safeguards for US Streams and Wetlands
Red Tide in Mexico kills nearly 300 endangered Green Sea Turtles
Four new species of adorable Walking Sharks discovered
White House weakened environmental laws after BP lobbying
Nevada man sentenced for trafficking in endangered species
Snakes could be the original source of the new coronavirus outbreak in China
Police boss arrested while hunting rhino with a Zambian poacher
Insecticides become more toxic to honey bees
BP’s CEO chides AOC and Bernie Sanders for their completely unrealistic Green New Deal ideas
US drinking water widely contaminated with ‘forever chemicals’
Starbucks CEO pledges to add more plant-based food options
Oregon Department of State Lands rejects Extension request on key permit for proposed Jordan Cove LNG
Scotland to reach this year 100% renewable energy goal
Thunberg blasts world leaders at Davos, telling them to ditch fossil fuels
New Zealand has been a life-raft for unique species
Closing the Ozone Hole has helped slow Arctic warming
Parks Canada says no to gondola proposed from Banff townset to Mount Norquay
Crystal Geyser pleads guilty to knowingly dumping arsenic into California’s public water
Liberia expands a key elephant park again
Mass tree planting along India’s Cauvery River has scientists worried
Montana pays record amount for predator losses in 2019
Wet winter is good for the common frog
British Colombia is now home to a new Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area
EU lays out 1 trillion-euro plan to support Green Deal
New species of antibiotic resistant bacteria found in infected wound
Mongabay editor arrested in Indonesia
850 coyotes and foxes killed in 2-day multi-state wildlife killing contest
US Supreme Court has cleared the way for water crisis victims to sue Flint, Michigan officials
Game camera photographs Grey Wolf in new territory inside Jackson County
New species of Titi Monkey discovered in Brazil
Peruvian authorities seize vessel with 12.3 million seahorses
Oil and gas sector ‘losing its social license to operate’, UK boss warns
Madagascar launches massive planting drive, eyes 60 million trees
New colony of penguins discovered on a remote island in Argentina
RBA told to ‘mobilise all forces’ to save the economy from climate change
After roughly a century, bighorn sheep return to Pyramid Lake, Nevada
Black Rhino population shows steady growth
Fukushima reborn as Japan’s wind and solar hub
Microwaving sewage waste may make it safe to use as fertilizer on crops
Natural History Museum, London declares a planetary emergency
Indigenous people reveal ‘lost’ starry night toad to scientists
Deforestation clips howler monkey calls
Penguin species in Antarctica hit hard by climate change
Climate refugees can’t be returned home, says landmark UN human rights ruling
AI suggests Earth has had fewer mass extinctions than we thought
Pentagon causing toxic pollution by burning foam
Patagonia’s CEO is donating company’s entire $10m tax cut to fight climate change
Formulations of glyphosate-based weedkillers are toxic
California will be hit hard as White House weakens clean water protections
Bronx Zoo has been included Defense of Animals’ annual list of worst zoos for elephants
Dungeness crab larvae already showing effects of coastal acidification
China moves to phase out single-use plastics
Spain city mayor wants to turn zoo into environmental education centre and release ‘prisoner’ animals
Large African herbivores have helped to repair their environment
Contentious Jumbo Valley to become Indigenous protected area after feds provide $21m
Beloved lioness Isis dies at Brookfield Zoo after apparent fall
Feathers evolved 80 million years before birds appeared
A national park takes shape in Argentina as the forest disappears
One of four North Atlantic right whale calves spotted so far this breeding season struck by ship
New species of prehistoric scorpions may have been the first explorers of the land
Newhouse aims to change Endangered Species Act
$500,000 available for coral restoration projects in honor of Dr. Ruth Gates
EU unveils plan to dedicate a quarter of its budget fighting climate change with 1 trillion euro Green Deal
Sunflower Electric abandons proposed Kansas coal power plant
Norwegian company fires US executive amidst rising public sentiment against trophy hunting
Major companies pledge not to ship along controversial Arctic routes
New Mexico approves trapping of state wildlife, further endangering Mexican Grey Wolves
Carnival slapped with a $20 million fine after it was caught dumping trash into the ocean, again
Microsoft wants to capture all of the carbon dioxide it’s ever emitted
Tidal energy project in Canada gets green light from authorities
London’s new year fireworks left sky full of metal particles
Los Cerritos Wetlands Restoration draft EIR to be unveiled
Panera plans to slash meat to offer 50 percent plant-based menu
Wallace & Gromit’s creators make new animation to try to save the seas
Ocean cleaning device succeeds in removing plastic for the first time
Mediterranean sea ecology altered by invasive species
Climate change to drive massive investment shift
Greenpeace included with neo-Nazis on UK counter-terror list
Barcelona declares climate emergency, vows to halve emissions by 2030
Over 400 rare Asian giant softshell turtle eggs found in Cambodia
Florida to purchase 20000 acres of Everglades wetlands to prevent oil drilling
Philippine study finds microplastics inside a commonly consumed fish
US lumber company found importing high-risk Peruvian timber
Catastrophic Amazon tipping point less than 30 years away
Subsistence farming topples forests near commercial operations in Congo
Alien-like coral discovered in Japan’s Toba City recognized as new species
Newly-created northern White Rhino embryo could save species from brink of extinction
Protecting BWCA is better for economy than mining
Number of rare Arkansas Darters in rise at Wilson Springs Preserve
80% of Australia’s Blue Mountains and 50% of Gondwana rainforests burn in bushfires

Conservation News ~ 17 January 2020

1/17/2020

Rangers in Indonesia’s Aceh to get guns as officials flex on violators
Indigenous lands hold 46% or more of remaining intact forest landscapes
Colombian mining megaprojects overrun indigenous lands
Million birds feared dead in ‘blob’ ocean heatwave
Rep. McCollum introduces bill to van mining near the Boundary Waters
We can tell where a whale has travelled from the themes in its song
Prehistoric Wollemi pines saved by firefighters from Australia’s bushfires
San Diego Paleontologist helps discover new species of dinosaur
New bird species discovered in Wallacea
Newhouse introduces legislation to strengthen Endangered Species Act
Nebraska Commission to consider altering state’s threatened, endangered species lists
150 Arrested at protests exposing Wall Street’s link to climate crisis
Canada imposing mandatory gear marking for some fisheries in 2020
New dinosaur discovered in China shows dinosaurs grew up differently from birds
Ocean Park to end dolphin show, plans 26 new rides
Malnourished millennial killer whaled grew up smaller
Maryland bill would levy $250 fine for releasing balloons
Georgia Aquarium announces it is expecting baby beluga whale
Greenville Zoo announces it is expecting Amur Leopard babies
Colgate launches vegan-certified toothpaste in recyclable tube
Former Monsanto executive is new leadership of US Fish and Wildlife
For final months of 2019, Amazon deforestation hits highest level in at least 13 years
As 2019 ends, reptile -rich Sri Lanka delivers three more new gecko species
2019 was second-hottest decade
Coal pollution turned an Appalachian creek orange, locals are using it to make paint
Jim Prentice Wildlife Corridor near Edmonton, Canada gets $500k funding boost
Deep snow covers Maunakea, Mauna Loa
Sandy Bottom wetlands to receive protection for ‘national ecological significance’
Swan Valley groups oppose ski area expansion in grizzly habitat
15 new species of parasitic wasp discovered that ‘zombify’ wasps
New species of bone-eating worm discovered eating alligator carcass deep under Gulf of Mexico
Cincinatti Zoo celebrates birth of endangered Okapi calf
Congressman Lowenthall introduces legislation to protect millions of migratory birds threatened federally
Local US Forest Service hot shots headed for Australia to help battle massive fires
UN calls on nations to protect 30 percent of planet
Scientists just found one of the world’s largest flowers blooming in an Indonesian jungle
Developer drops 22-home subdivision project near endangered species preserve north of Traveler’s Rest
A pack of wolves has been spotted in Colorado for the first time in over 70 years
2019 was a record year for ocean temperatures
Golden Rice approved in Philippines
Morocco is harvesting water from fog
UN draft plan sets 2030 target to avert Earth’s sixth mass extinction
Goldman Prize winner launches new environmental foundation in the Cook Islands
Communities in Brazilian Cerrado besieged by global demand for soy
Four new fungi species discovered on one Yunnan bat
New Mexico lawsuit challenges US Fed’s failure to protect Endangered Species from livestock
Four missing plants found again in Ohio
Greenhouse gas emissions drop in Spain as power plants ditch coal
Record number of elephant deaths in Sri Lanka
Jakarta to ban single-use plastic bags by June
The Zion Narrows Trail is protected forever
Conservation action has reduced bird extinction rates by 40%
California’s largest private Giant Sequoia stand saved from development
Bulgarian Environment Minister charged over water crisis
Senators want to restore native plants to US National Parks
California has protections against Fed’s rollback of environmental rules
Petition seeks California Endangered Species protections for Leatherback Sea Turtles
Population of the Sierra Nevada Red Fox proposed for endangered species status
Environmental groups file lawsuit to protect the endangered Florida Panthers from extinction
Feds aim to fix ‘regulatory nightmare’ with sweeping environmental overhaul
Indonesian officials wield sharia law in defense of Sumatran rhinos
Activists seek purge after Indonesia court rules forest plantation illegal

Conservation News ~ 10 January 2020

1/10/2020

Philippine fern efficiently absorbs arsenic, copper from toxic mining soil
Rare plant species are especially vulnerable to climate change
Forest loss moves swiftly once 50% deforestation ‘tipping’ point reached
New species of Praying Mantis impales its prey on barbed spikes
Lethal bat disease found in new species near North Bend, Or
Native San Diego butterfly proposed for Endangered Species list
Sierra Red Fox proposed for Endangered Species list
Tool use in puffins may point to underestimated intelligence in seabirds
Palm oil processors top plantations in destroying proboscis monkey habitat
Miller Park Zoo planning new monkey exhibit with $600k grant
White House memo shows plans to speed environmental permitting
Australian Girls in Gi creates fundraiser to help save wildlife affected by bushfires
State of California is proceeding with the Vegetation Treatment Plan which would raze 250,000 acres of habitat
Robert Irwin struggles to hold back tears while discussing the impact of the Australian fires
Britons reach Africans’ annual carbon emissions in just two weeks
White House to overhaul environmental review regulations
Self-described Tuna King has spent a small fortune on purchasing endangered species
Shutdown of coal-fired plants in US saves lives and improves crop yields
Science-backed policy boosts critically endangered Nassau grouper
Deadly conditions for Indonesian migrant crews tied to illegal fishing
NCCOS supports 20-year plan to restore seven coral reefs in the Florida Keys
Entire species wiped out by Australian fires over the last few days, including 25,000 koalas
Biodiverse forests better at storing carbon for long periods
New Zealand glaciers turn brown because of smoke and ash from Australia
A new Louisiana high school puts focus on environment, climate change
Number of rhinos poached in Assam’s Kaziranga lowest in ten years
Boeing patents first solar powered plan that can fly forever and replace costly satellites
White House policy all but ends punishment for bird deaths
Renewable energy’s share of German power mix rose to 46% last year
Ayakha Melithafa: a 17-year-old climate activist alongside Greta Thunberg
Irwin Family’s zoo hospital helps save lives of over 90,000 animals amid bushfire crisis
NC Governor seeks help for critically endangered red wolf
World’s largest flower bloom found in remote Indonesian jungle
British Court rules veganism is a protected belief system
Cyanide bombs now banned in Oregon
Australia NSW government to decimate marine protected areas
2 Wisconsin dairy farms go out of business a day now
Lone wolf in Belgium gets potential love interest
213-kg leatherback turtle slaughtered in North Sumatra for meat
Record sighting of whales, dolphins, and seals
Horror as 16 lions slaughtered by poachers who cut off their faces and claws
Australian water sold for $490m to foreign company during drought
Academic research confirmed that pollution was worse than ever in 2019
Pink donates half a million dollars to Australian fire services as the wildlife crisis worsens
Study confirms climate change impacted Hurricane Florence’s precipitation and size
Chinese paddlefish of the Yangtze River declared extinct
Madagascar’s famous lemurs could lose their rainforest by 2080

Conservation News ~ 3 January 2020

1/3/2020

Thailand begins the New Year with plastic bag ban
British Troop’s anti-poaching mission saves 17 endangered Black Rhinos
Feds waived environment, other regs on 90 miles of Arizona border in 2019
Germany cuts fares for long-distance rail travel in response to climate crisis
The Golden Globes will serve a 100% vegan menu
Pope Francis to ‘every person on earth’: be kind to animals
White House will approve largest solar farm
Apple, Google, Microsoft, Tesla, and Dell sued over child-mined cobalt from Africa
Palau is first country to ban ‘toxic sun cream
Amazon threatened to fire employees for speaking out on climate
Rediscovered after 100 years, Gurney’s pitta is in peril once again
Denmark generated almost half of its electricity from wind in 2019
Nepal’s road-building spree pushes into the heart of the Himalayas
The first regional conservation area in Huanuco, Peru
New species of amphibians and plants discovered in Sagaing
Prince William launches Earthshot Prize to solve Earth’s environmental problems
Judge says filthy zoo must give up animals, Zoo appeals
In a rare feat achieved in Assam Zoo, endangered species of stork are bred artificially
State, Federal government renew Platte River agreement
Argentina sinks Chinese fishing ship that entered restricted area
New Zealand glaciers turn brown from Australian bushfires’ smoke, ash and dust
Clemson, LSU partner to avoid tiger extinction
Chinese company approved to run water mining operation in drought-stricken Queensland
Copenhagen to plant communal fruit trees on city streets
Testing the IUCN Green List of Species
Innovative orange juicer 3D prints bioplastic cups out of leftover orange peels
Unfathomable tragedy as fire ravishes German zoo’s ape house
Grassroots campaign saves major wetland in Montenegro
Lighting Industry sues to stop new efficiency standards
Newly discovered Australian spider breathes underwater, eats toads
Waimea forest purchased for $3.7m to keep in conservation
New fake rhino horn could push up poaching, inventors warned
Rebounding Hawaiian Hawk removed from Endangered List
Biodiversity moves into sustainability spotlight
Half a billion animals perish in Australian bushfires
Suspected abalone poacher bust by beachgoers at Clifton after swimming there from Robben Island
Endangered black rhino baby born on Christmas Eve at Michigan Zoo
7 Caribbean countries ban single-use plastics starting New Year’s Day
Cheetahs face extinction as numbers crash
New Zealand opens Paparoa Track, first new ‘Great Walk’ in 25 years
Grizzly Bears move north in High Arctic as climate change expands range
Fausta, world’s oldest rhino, dead at 57
New species in Manipur: Trichodesma Kumareum
New species of crustacean thrives in mouth of giant shark
UN75 – UN Environment Programme’s leader shares three actions to save the world
Malibu wants to ban all pesticides but the state disagrees
The 2020 Biodiversity Strategic Planning timeline
SD Zoo elephant, Tembo, passes away
Habitat loss drives deadly conflict in Indonesia’s tiger country
Alarm over mass vulture poisoning in South Africa
Manipur Hero dedicates 17 years of his life to grow 300 acre forest
Millionaire who killed rare whale hybrid vows to kill 150 more
Virginia School District to give students one day off per year for civic action
Court upholds creation of National Monument in Atlantic
Parasitic leeches present a new threat to endangered mussels
Water-guzzling demands of border wall threaten fish species
More discoveries, more threats for Sri Lanka’s dragonflies and damselflies
Female gorillas recognize and respond to contagious disease
Three pangoling species closer to extinction
Greta Thunberg will interview David Attenborough
13 rhinos poached and 7 poachers killed in Okavango Delta
Rapid genetic test traces spread of fungus that kills frogs, reveals new strain in Southeast Asia
White House removes Federal database that tracked pollution
New National Parks get Sh255 bn
Meet the new ancient shark species found in southern Alabama
Interior wordsmiths habitat with eye on regulatory reach
Climate crisis linked to at least 15 $1bn-plus disasters in 2019
Microplastic pollution is raining down on city dwellers
New York becomes first state to ban sale of Giraffe products
Nearly 8000 rhinos poached in Mzansi this decade
Court upholds Obama’s protected marine monument
New Zealand becomes first country to adopt Hookpod
West Coast fishery rebounds in rare conservation home run
Australia’s environment minister says up to 30% of koalas killed in NSW
Italy creates Europe’s first plastic-free ski resort