Story | 29 Sep, 2016
Enabling rights-based REDD+ frameworks in tropical countries
Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) can improve lives, protect forests and biodiversity, and mitigate climate change. Forests serve as natural storage sinks for carbon, and deforestation is the second leading cause of carbon emissions contributing to climate…
Story | 28 Sep, 2016
A unified voice for African rhinos: Continent-wide conservation plan launched
African rhino conservation has seen a major boost this week with the launch of the continent-wide African Rhino Conservation Plan, led by South Africa and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission’s African Rhino Specialist Group (IUCN SSC AfRSG).
Press release | 23 Sep, 2016
Poaching behind worst African elephant losses in 25 years – IUCN report
Africa’s overall elephant population has seen the worst declines in 25 years, mainly due to poaching over the past ten years – according to IUCN’s African Elephant Status Report launched today at the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES, taking place in Johannesburg, South…
Press release | 04 Sep, 2016
Four out of six great apes one step away from extinction – IUCN Red List
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, 4 September 2016 (IUCN) – The Eastern Gorilla – the largest living primate – has been listed as Critically Endangered due to illegal hunting, according to the latest update of The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ released today at the IUCN World Conservation Congress…
Story | 14 Jul, 2016
Rising illegal wildlife trade threatens natural World Heritage sites, warns IUCN
The rise in demand for products derived from animals and plants, such as elephant tusks or precious wood, is causing an increase in illegal logging and poaching in natural World Heritage sites. The World Heritage Committee, which holds its annual meeting this week in Istanbul, today discussed…
Story | 05 Jul, 2016
Around the world, wildlife is being depleted by illegal activities at an alarming rate, depriving local populations and national economies of important natural capital.
DG Statement | 24 Jun, 2016
Seizure of huge African pangolin scale shipment points to worrying increase in trafficking
Statement by IUCN Director General, Inger Andersen
Story | 10 Jun, 2016
Wildlife trade and dams putting natural World Heritage at risk – IUCN
Natural World Heritage sites face major threats, such as commercial logging, poaching, gillnet fishing and dams, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In its recommendations to the World Heritage Committee, which meets in July, IUCN has advised that three…
Story | 30 May, 2016
IUCN recommends five World Heritage listings
IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, recommends World Heritage status for five sites nominated for their outstanding natural values. The advisory body on natural World Heritage, IUCN also recommends action against major threats in listed natural sites and danger-listing for two…
Story | 22 May, 2016
Key hotspots of species loss and water risks identified in new transboundary river basins report
On 22 May the global community marks ‘International Biodiversity Day’, celebrating the variety of life on earth. Yet, extinction risks range from moderate to very high in 70% of transboundary river basins, according to a new study: Transboundary River Basins: Status and Trends. Climate change,…