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Conservation News ~ 30 July 2020

7/30/2020

Australia names new species after Deadpool, Thor, and other Marvel favorites
Scientists successfully revive 100m-year-old microbes from the sea
Video of endangered tigers in Thailand – footage boosts hope for species survival
Brazilian Amazon drained of millions of wild animals by criminal networks
Arrests in Indonesian probe into latest case of labor abuses on Chinese fishing boats
Marijuana farms expand in Paraguay reserve despite govt crackdowns
Extreme Chernobyl fungus could protect astronauts from deadly radiation
Bishop museum officially names new living native Hawaiian snail species
Kazakhstan to list Caspian Seal in red book of endangered species
Lake Titicaca’s endangered ‘scrotum frog’ could be on its last legs
Seahorses, seals, and Sussex stand to benefit from $500,000 willdlife grant
In Sri Lanka, a South American flower usurps a tree sacred to Buddhists and Hindus
Scientists launch ambitious conservation project to save the Amazon
Investigation links meat giant JBS to Amazon deforestation
Indonesian fishers face livelihood threat from ‘beautiful’ tourism project
Five potential game changers for EU aquaculture
Isha Foundation accredited to UN environment Assembly
Seeking summer real estate, endangered Indiana bats are running out of places to live
Upstate Forever announces protection of more than 600 acres
New wildflower species found in El Nido
Waterfall of microbes in Antarctic sea floor leads to discovery of methane leak
BC delays work to clean up Tulsequah Chief mine due to COVID
Vietnam suspends wildlife trade as pandemic prods action
Presumed extinct, a wildflower reappears on Mount Diablo
Cameroon govt approves industrial exploitation of Ebo Forest
New shark species found in Wilkinson, Co, Georgia
The Living Ghost Dogs that haunt the Amazon
Tongoenas burleyi, Extinct Giant Pigeon from Tonga
World Bank-backed attempt to commercialize Madagascar’s beef industry falters
Niobiom mining in Brazilian Amazon would cause significant forest loss
Sharks are functionally extinct in many global reef systems
Photos show scale of massive fires tearing through Siberian forests
Lockdowns Could Be the ‘Biggest Conservation Action’ in a Century
Scientists discover new species of Mouse Lemur
A Jaguar nicknamed ‘Short-Tail’ the first known to cross between Belize and Guatemala
Upgrade of Indonesian palm pol certification falls short
2019 was the deadliest year ever for environment activists
Criminalizing dissent, martial law fuel attacks on Philippine environmental defenders
For tool-wielding chimps of Ebo Forest, logging plan is a death sentence
Goldminers overrun Amazon indigenous lands as COVID surges
In syntropic agriculture, farmers stop fighting nature and learn to embrace it
Migratory freshwater fish in peril as report shows population plunge

Conservation News ~ 24 July 2020

7/24/2020

Two new fossil shark species found by team of scientists from Alabama and South Carolina
Feds decline protections for long-disputed Arctic grayling in Montana
US mulls endangered status for Nevada plant in mine fight
Central California coast snail is latest Endangered Species Act success
Satellites uncover widespread illegal fishing in Pacific Ocean
Reef sharks in major decline worldwide
Gorongosa Park celebrates 60th anniversary, announces 60 new schools
Lab grown corals can help coral reefs beat bleaching
Killer whales are on the rise in the Arctic
Study values women’s long-overlooked contribution to fisheries at $5.6b per year
Chinese dark fleets illegally defying sanctions by fishing in North Korean waters
Protected areas in Paraguay hit hard by illegal marijuana farming
US Congress approves billions for US national parks in rare bipartisan push
‘World first’ legal case – student accuses Australia of misleading investors on climate risk
We discovered a new species of stongray, but war means it may now remain hidden forever
Scientists accidentally create new species of fish
Two rare Nevada wildflowers move toward endangered species protection
Lawsuit launched to finalize endangered species protection for North Carolina catfish
Smooth Handfish, One of the weirdest creatures on earth is now extinct
A Brazilian forest community shows certified timber really does work
Forest restoration, not just halting deforestation, vital to Amazon
Sumatran rhino planned for capture is another female
Sea Turtles often lose their way, but always reach their destination
Scientists set to explore a deep ‘blue hole’ at the bottom of the ocean
Prairie Wildlife Bobwhite Quail Research Program receives huge boost
China’s first climate striker warned: give it up or you can’t go back to school
New legal challenge launched against White House’s Public Lands giveaway
After 40 years, researchers finally see Earth’s climate destiny more clearly
In Wales, wild animals banned from circus big tents
Greta Thunberg gives $1m award money to climate groups
UN predicts rise in diseases that jump from animals to humans due to habitat loss
First active leak of sea-bed methane discovered in Antarctica
Rare orchid species blooms in India after 118-year hiatus
New species of rare ants ‘Protanilla’ discovered in Goa
In UK, just 3.6% of fly-tipping and pollution complaints lead to penalties
New study looks closer at how environment affects daily life of sloths
Koalas and other marsupials struggle to recover from Australia’s bushfires
Greta Thunberg says EU recovery plan fails to tackle climate crisis
New species of Glass Sponge discovered
A new species of Darkling Beetle larvae that eats plastic discovered
Zoo celebrates arrival of newborn endangered species during lockdown
Petition seeks endangered species status for Alaska wolves
Senator Cory Booker on climate justice – it’s an assault on black bodies
Polar Bears jeopardized by drastic habitat loss; DOI says ANWR drilling won’t hurt them
Centrist Democrats support deficit spending, a good thing for a potential Biden climate agenda
House Committee kills controversial Desert National Wildlife Refuge amendment
Energy-guzzling McMansions make the American dream a climate nightmare
World’s biggest meatpacker JBS bought illegally grazed Amazon cattle
Where there’s cattle ranching and soybean farming, there’s fire
A fifth of Brazilian soy in Europe is result of deforestation
Three fatal shark attacks in five weeks linked to more migrating whales
Bali opens world’s first rehabilitation center for dolphins who have been held captive
Federal judge dismisses White House lawsuit over CA-Canada cap and trade
New mat-forming species of algae smothers coral on tropical atoll
New endemic plant species discovered in northern Turkey’s Bartin Province
Endangered species could benefit from NFL name change
Court signs down White House rollback of key air pollution rule
Barn owlets share food with their younger siblings in exchange for grooming
Leonard DiCaprio shows support for Sumatran orangutan conservation program
Paleontologists discover new species of marsupial in Brule formation
As NC bat population dwindles, wildlife experts work to protect them from COVID
Sunscreen chemicals seep into bloodstream, new FDA study confirms
Car tyres are major source of ocean microplastics
People are planting tiny urban forests to boost biodiversity and fight climate change
Beetle-mounted camera streams insect adventures
New species of ‘Sea Cockroach’ can grow 20 inches in length
World’s rarest wild hamster is now critically endangered
Now that half of Oklahoma is officially Indian land, oil industry could face new costs and environmental hurdles
Pandemic shutdowns saved thousands of animals from becoming roadkill
Amazon fire rage despite official ban, Greenpeace photos reveal
Bank of England urged to end virus funding for carbon emitters
14k year old poop found in Oregon cave turns out to be human
In a fascinating twist, Beluga Whale societies are almost as complex as our own

Conservation News ~ 17 July2020

7/17/2020

Taiwan to ban fishing of megamouth, great, and basking sharks
After HTBT cotton, Maharashtra farmers plan to plant genetically-modified brinjal, soyabean
Prince William says ‘urgent steps’ needed to eradicate illegal wildlife trade in fight against future pandemics
Russia launches pollution investigation after streams run orange
Nature-led coronavirus recovery could create $10tn a year, says WEF
Scientists discover three new species of chameleons
Two new species of parasite discovered in crabs
Endangered species protections sought for rare wolf in southeast Alaska
Permian Dunes Lizard targeted for endangered species protection
Great Lakes water temperatures warming off the charts; some spots over 80 degrees
Plastic for recycling from Europe ends up in Asia’s waters
The chicken first crossed the road in Southeast Asia, landmark gene study finds
First signs of success in bid to reintroduce pine martens to England
Red Wolves is preferred new football name among some wildlife advocates
250 failing fracking companies to file for bankruptcy by 2021
150+ hunting and fishing companies ask congress to pass the MAPLand act
About 94% of wild bee and native plant species networks lost
A Canadian Province killed 463 wolves for no good reason
Indonesia’s new lobster export policy threatens Javan rhino habitat
For the first time, scientists have completely sequenced a human chromosome
Exporting toxic chemical waste to poor countries must end, says UN
China’s latest medicine list still includes wildlife ingredients
Peter Kareiva is named CEO and President of the Aquarium of the Pacific
EPA declines to tighten smog standards amid pressure from green groups
Huey Johnson, Marin County environmental leader, dies at 87
White House weakens environmental law to speed up permits for pipelines and other infrastructure
Corn growers in Brazil’s Cerrado reap a hostile climate of their own making
Dam that threatens orangutan habitat faces three-year delay
Risking death and arrest, Madagascar fishers chase dwindling sea cucumbers
In Mexico, groups push for reforms to law promoting sustainable forest use
New research shows microplastics in our food, water, air
The woman building the forest corridors saving Brazil’s black lion tamarin
Global methane emissions reach a record high
Smaller farmer’s fields can reduce biodiversity loss and increase wild plants, birds, beetles, and bats
Dakota Access pipeline can keep running amid legal fight
Top Amazon deforestation satellite researcher sacked by Bolsonaro
Creatures from the deep: new species from Chilean Patagonia
Biden campaign adopts carbon-free power by 2035 in $2t environment plan
New study shows rural westerners strongly support environmental protections
North Atlantic Right Whales now red-listed as critically endangered
7 arrested for alleged endangered green sea turtles smuggling attempt
Farmers hatch plan to return area the size of Dorset to wild nature
Privatize the profit, socialize the mess – abandoned fracking wells left spewing climate
UN’s grand plan to save forests hasn’t worked, but some still believe it can
Deer dropping help researchers understand sambar antler development
An export boom threatens to put Madagascar’s mud crabs in hot water
Habitat of newly described frog in Sumatra threatened by oil palms, roads
Discovery of fish never recorded in the Amazon shows richness of Brazil Calha Norte
Killer Whales face Killer toxins
New species of crab has been names after Nightwish
World’s smallest primate among new animals added to the list of critically endangered species
Inkjet printing fabrication paves way for practical perovskite solar cell production
Indigenous Peoples’ rights and climate change advocate Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim joins Conservation International Board of Directors
Indonesia approves coal road project through forest that hosts tigers, elephants
Mexico bans Monsanto’s roundup herbicide
UN predicts rise in diseases that jump from animals to humans due to habitat loss
The Denmark law that could make climate change illegal
IUCN appoints new Director General – Dr. Bruno Oberle
US push to dilute energy regulations as bailouts to fossil fuel firms
Zambia sells part of Victoria Falls land to China
Tasmania’s precious swift parrot habitats marked for logging despite expert warnings
An Extinction Hotspot in Appalachia
Calls to revers absurd rule on endangered species, boost koala aid
A closed border, pandemic-weary tourists and a big bottleneck at Glacier National Park
Whale census records set to be smashed along Australia’s east coast
Like humans, beluga whales form social networks beyond family ties
COVID pandemic prompts record drop in global emissions
Farmers and animal rights activists are coming together to fight big factory farms
Germany bans single-use plastic products
New species of Brown Snake discovered on island
Nearly all Madagascar’s lemur species face extinction
Snakes in China eat firefly larvae to create venom
Sydney is now powered by Renewable Energy
Wild Bison return to UK for first time in 6,000 years
New models show how species will be relocated by climate change
Scientists identify new species of sea sponge off the coast of British Colombia, Canada
New species of plant-eating dinosaur identified in Switzerland
Scientists fear for the world’s most endangered sea turtle as the Park Service cuts back
Endangered Species petition filed for Southeast Alaska wolves
Genetics could help protect coral reefs from global warming
Factory farming is the single most risky behavior for future pandemics
WWF now says it supports a ban on trophy hunting imports in the UK
Andean condor can fly 100 miles without flapping wings
Navajo Women are bringing sustainable solar power to the Navajo Nation
Brazil’s past finance ministers defend environment against Bolsonaro
Philippine court reject OceanGold’s bid to keep mining on expired permit
Rainforest Alliance Certification gets a 2020 upgrade

Conservation News ~ 10 July 2020

7/10/2020

North Atlantic Right Whale and Many Species of Lemurs Now Critically Endangered
Student researchers discover new species of marine invertebrate
Bald Eagle population on track to getting off Vt endangered species list
Applying rock dust to croplands could absorb up to 2 billion tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere
UC Riverside discovers first effective treatment for citrus-destroying disease
Mali approves project to extend Gourma Elephant Reserve
Supreme Court restores half of Oklahoma to native peoples
Shanthi, world’s most studied elephant, dies at Washington’s National Zoo
After canoe chase, Madagascar authorities seize 144 endangered tortoises
Indonesian parliament to probe pulpwood firm’s dispute with Indigenous group
Forest communities in Mexico suffer the blow of COVID pandemic
Indonesia identifies rhino to capture for breeding, but will have to wait until next year
The mission to save the rare Philippine Eagle grinds on
Prosecutors target Brazil’s environment minister over dismantling of protections
Investors say agroforestry isn’t just climate friendly – it’s also profitable
Brazil bows to pressure from business, decrees 120-day Amazon fire ban
New global study reveals ‘time tree’ of Earth’s flowering plants
Endangered California condors in Sequoia National Park for the first time in 50 years
Sea Shepherd helps the Gambia tackle illegal fishing
Coconut oil production threatens five times more species than palm oil
Researchers discover a new species of ribbon worm from Chennai’s Kovalam beach
Researchers find new species of seaweed killing large patches of coral
Prosecutors target Brazil’s environment minister over dismantling of protections
Feds to decide species status of Oregon Wolverines
Turtles and tortoises in trouble – more than half of all species face extinction
US 9th Circuit upholds Endangered Species protections for Yellowstone Grizzlies
Sponge with a secret recipe – a cancer-fighting chemical
Investigation hints at cronyism in awarding of Indonesia lobster export permits
Rare Javan Rhino caught on camera
Sanirajek hunters prepare to harvest bowhead whale
Brazilian court order 20,000 gold miners removed from Yanomami Park
New species of fan-throated lizard discovered in northern Karnataka
Legal action threatened over UK ‘unlawful’ green recovery plans
Vandals threaten endangered species of birds in Old Orchard Beach and Saco
Feds to decide if rare Louisiana turtle needs endangered species protection
Bayer forging ahead with GE corn that can withstand 5 herbicides
Biden’s climate task force to propose 100% renewable electricity by 2035
Federal Judge rules Dakota Access and Keystone XL pipeline shut down until environmental review complete
World Bank’s IFC pumped $1.8bn into factory farming operations since 2010
Groups demand financial, human rights probes into palm conglomerate Korindo
World’s biggest trade deal in trouble over EU anger at Brazil deforestation
India’s Nagaland ends dog meat trade, sparing 30,000 dogs from slaughter annually
Over 5,600 fossil fuel companies have taken at least $3bn in US COVID aid
Nearly extinct damselfly species found near Satara Dam in Maharashtra
Plant study challenges tropics’ reputation as site of modern evolutionary innovation
Latest UN sustainability goals pose more harm than good for environment, scientists warn
Two Map Turtle species move one step closer to Endangered Species Act protection
Astronomers have found the source of life (carbon) in the universe derives from White Dwarf stars
Climate denial spreads on Facebook as scientists face restrictions
An entire new genus of Trapdoor Spiders have been discovered in Australia
Lawmakers attach environmental provisions to ‘must-pass’ DoD bill
Atlantic Coast Pipeline officially no more as Energy companies weigh cost of regulatory uncertainty
Boil advisory issued for Walhalla city water customers
Dover clifftops buzzing with wildlife after National Trust takeover
Researchers find rare snake-like venom glands in new amphibian species Caecilian
Trafficking of thousands of songbirds highlights rampant trade in Indonesia
Scientists warn that capitalism is destroying ‘safe operating space’ for humanity
Mexico City buried its rivers to prevent disease and unwittingly created a dry, polluted city where COVD is rampant
For 3 decades, the Big Island’s Turtle Man has been helping save endangered honu
New species of dogfish discovered in Japan
New species of Fish Lizard found in museum collection
Olema group’s petition to list sea turtles as endangered earns state review
Worries mount in Yucca Valley that Joshua Trees will be designated an endangered species
Canada to ban’ nuisance seals’ killing to keep access to US market
Sea Shepherd seeks injunction against US agencies to save critically endangered Maui Dolphin
Brazil could dynamite Amazon dolphin, turtle habitat for industrial waterway
Hawaiian Group breaks world record with biggest ocean plastic cleanup ever
Greenpeace fined £80k over BP oil rig protest but legal battle to stop BP drilling continues
Oglala Sioux president: US president doesn’t have permission to visit Mount Rushmore
$10bn of precious metals dumped each year in electronic waste
Black Lives Matter may be the largest movement in US history
Pangolin trade continues unabated as pandemic lessons go unheeded
Chinook salmon decimated, southern resident orcas are resident no more
All Colorado eggs must be cage-free by 2025 under law passed to head off stricter ballot measure
Extinction Rebellion returns to Parliament on 1 September amidst warnings of a 4C world
Arizona reels as three of the biggest wildfires in its history ravage state
A regime shift is happening in the Arctic Ocean, scientists say
NASA’s Parker solar probe swings through Venus tail in flyby today
One of the brightest comets in decades is passing Earth until mid-August
Socio-economic, environmental impacts of COVID-19 quantified
Pioneering efforts come to fruition as Global Guidelines for Connectivity Conservation released

New Species and Conservation People ~ June 2020

7/3/2020

New Species:

New velvet spider species is named after actor Joaquin Phoenix for his role in the Joker
Researchers find three new species of geckos lurking under granite rocks in the Mysore Plateau
New monkey species found hiding in plain sight
Undergraduate student discovers 18 new species of aquatic beetle in South America
Stuck at home, scientists discover 9 new species of phorid flies
Swiss researchers identify new bacteria in permafrost
New species of orchid native to Singapore discovered in Bukit Timah Reserve
New Species from World’s largest spider group found in Sri Lanka for first time
New species of mimicking spider camouflaged like a dried-up leaf discovered in China rainforest
A new species of diamond frog from Northern Madagascar
New jumping spider species in the Philippines
Novel endemic dogfish species discovered from Japan
A nose-horned dragon lizard lost to science for over 100 years has been found
Botanists study spots 42 new tree species in 10 years
Newly discovered spider species in Madagascar named after climate activist Greta Thunberg
Four new species of millipedes discovered in Colorado Caves
Two new species of iguanas found in Southern Antilles
A new Riffle Beetle from Kyushu, Japan
A new beetle species has been named after the Beatles
Scientists discover strange new Tarantula species with ‘horn’ on its back in Southwestern Africa
New species of carnivorous plant found in Kerala
After century of mistaken identity, a Balinese gecko gets its own name
Three new bird species discovered in Peru
More types of mosquito discovered in Yukon - that’s 33 and counting
New helmet orchid species discovered in Palawan
New species of Dumbo Octopus captured on camera at 4.3 miles down in the Indian Ocean
New species of frailejon discovered in Colombia
New species of Ichthyosaur discovered
An intrusive killer scorpion points the way to six new species in Sri Lanka
New species of bee named after Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield

People:

US climate activists charged with ‘terrorizing’ lobbyist over plastic pollution stunt
NAU professor named Ecological Restoration Insitute’s new executive director
Early Plant DNA researcher at Chicago’s Field Museum dies at 35
Globally renowned Kayapo Chief Paiakan passes away due to COVID
Creator of Conservation Biology, Michael Soule, passes away
Canadian conservation officer fired for refusing to kill bear cubs wins legal battle
Elizabeth Mrema is Convention on Biological Diversity new Executive Secretary
Ex-astronaut Kathy Sullivan dives to lowest point on Earth
Tributes to Jose Rafael Garcia Acosta
In Memoriam to Guy Suzon Ramangason
Teen creates fashion line while helping the environment

Conservation News ~3 July 2020

7/3/2020

New species of Ichthyosaur discovered
Scientists create first map of agroforestry and ecosystem services in Asia-Pacific
Raw sewage poured into Olympic Park wildlife haven
Feds agree to decide on Endangered Species Protections for Wolverines by August 31
Finland invests $2.3 million into national plant-based food industry
An overfished shark species will now finally get the protection it needs in the Pacific
No UN climate talks to be held in 2020, as interim meeting postponed again
Calls for swift action as hundreds of elephants die in Botswana’s Okavango Delta
The House of Representatives passed the Wildlife Corridor Conservation Act with $300 million funding
NASA’s new 3d mapping technique improves landslide hazard prediction
NASA’s ASTER sees Arizona’s Bighorn Fire burn scar from space
NASA’s new international ocean satellite completes testing
Ice melt linked to accelerated regional freshwater depletion
JPL mission breaks record for smallest satellite to detect an exoplanet
Over 40 new species described in 2020 by a research group
Gatekeepers of biodiversity hotspots facing COVID crisis
New gold rush brought to Brazilian Amazon
Indonesia lavishes $195m subsidy on palm biodiesel producers over smallholders
COVID halts matchmaking attempt for female Sumatran Rhino in Borneo
Corruption and palm oil in Sierra Leone
Storm sinks salmon cages containing over 875,000 fish
Ranchers, researchers mull using treated produced water for irrigation
An intrusive killer scorpion points the way to six new species in Sri Lanka
New species of bee named after Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield
Research shows the older you get, the more you care about the environment
Ontario extends logging industry exemption from endangered species law
Endangered Whale struck by 2 vessels off Jersey shore
NAU professor named Ecological Restoration Insitute’s new executive director
Evidence found of Natufian people eating snakes and lizards 15,000 years ago
Soil in Amazon found to host a large number of fungi types
California woman gored by bison at Yellowstone National Park after getting within 10 feet to take photos
Maps reveal what 8th continent, Zealandia, looks like underwater
Using technology, indigenous monitors in the Amazon combat environmental crime
Democrats to unveil bold new climate plan to phase out emissions by 2050
Whale freed from fishing net off Italian coast
Checklist of PA bees documents 49 new species and some that may be endangered
Petition seeks California Endangered Species protection for Quino Checkerspot Butterfly
Pune-based ZSI scientists discovers new moth subspecies
Efforts underway to save Florida’s largest bat
Feds say expect more bird deaths under new rule
Yakutia sets up nature reserve to protect polar bear population
Fossil reveals new species of Horned Gopher species
PA says 2 gas drilling companies committed environmental crimes
White House nominates controversial longtime acting head of land management bureau as director
Senate passes bill to give millions more veterans free lifetime entry to National Parks
New Protected Area in Mali one of Earth's Largest
Hundreds of dead dolphins washing up on French Coast
PETA rescues two pigs from slaughter in late activist Regan Russell’s honor
Environment groups urge Nippon Paper to scrap Victorian timber from supply chain
Adelle penguins could thrive as result of sea ice melting
India eyes private investment to open 41 new coal mines
US climate activists charged with ‘terrorizing’ lobbyist over plastic pollution stunt
Airborne mapping sheds light on climate sensitivity of California Redwoods
Dolphins learn foraging tricks from each other, not just from mom
California court sides with Miyoko’s, allowing free speech lawsuit against the State’s Food and Ag department
South Africa proposal to add rhino, elephants to list of animals that can be slaughtered for consumption
Federal judge strikes down unconstitutional North Carolina Ag-Gag law
Shy species detected through new DNA technique
Exploding Whale park memorializes blubber blast 50 years later
Half of the Earth is still free from human impact, but its not all good news
National parks are being overrun by invasive species
Carbon dioxide levels just hit 417ppm, highest in human history
Greta Thunberg looks to UN security council election for leverage on climate
Federal Agency kills endangered Mexican Gray Wolf father on behalf of livestock industry
Young monk seal on Kauai likely died after swallowing fish hook
The demographic decline of a sea lion population followed multi-decadal sea surface warming
National Park Service removes Robert E. Lee’s name from giant sequoia
White House to open 18 million acres in Alaska to oil and gas drilling
The first modern-day marine fish has officially gone extinct
Scientists unlock secrets of Ethiopia’s superfood in race to save it from warming climate
Washington Commission rejects petition for new rules to prevent wolf killing conflicts
Shelter in place leading to fewer California mountain lions becoming roadkill
Canada becomes first G20 nation to ban shark fin trade
Plants can absorb tiny plastic pieces through their roots
Revealed: legislators’ pro-pipeline letters ghostwritten by fossil fuel company