Story | 10 Aug, 2020
An ocean hero dedicated to vaquita conservation succumbs to COVID-19
IUCN is deeply saddened by the loss of Mexican conservationist Paco Valverde, who dedicated his life to protect the vaquita – the world’s smallest porpoise and most threatened marine mammal. Paco was regarded as an ocean hero who inspired his community to care for the marine environment on which…
Story | 05 Aug, 2020
The IUCN SSC/WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force (“the Task Force”) today announces the approval of thirteen new Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs) in the Extended Southern Ocean Region.
Press release | 03 Aug, 2020
Six million Euros made available for conservation action to counter COVID-19 impacts
Gland, Switzerland, 4 August 2020 (IUCN) – A total of six million Euros in emergency relief funding to address biodiversity conservation needs brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic is being made available by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the…
Press release | 23 Jul, 2020
IUCN Standard to boost impact of nature-based solutions to global challenges
Gland, Switzerland, 23 July 2020 (IUCN) – IUCN today unveiled a Global Standard providing the first-ever set of benchmarks for nature-based solutions to global challenges. The new IUCN Global Standard will help governments, business and civil society ensure the effectiveness of…
Press release | 21 Jul, 2020
New action plan developed for conservation of Darwin's frogs
17 July 2020 — A paper published in Oryx, The International Journal of Conservation, outlines the development of a multi-participatory binational conservation strategy for Darwin’s frogs (Rhinoderma darwinii and Rhinoderma rufum), an initiative that was led by the IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist…
Story | 17 Jul, 2020
Blue carbon and more: mangroves as superheroes
Mangrove forests and swamps are nature's superheroes, a vital ecosystem for climate mitigation, adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and many other benefits for humans and animals alike. On this International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem 2020, we present an interactive…
Story | 10 Jul, 2020
Statement of the IUCN SSC African Elephant Specialist Group on elephant deaths in Botswana
10th July 2020 — The African Elephant Specialist Group of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (IUCN SSC) expresses its concern about the reported mysterious mass die-off of African elephants (Loxodonta africana). It is estimated that over 250…
Press release | 09 Jul, 2020
Almost a third of lemurs and North Atlantic Right Whale now Critically Endangered - IUCN Red List
Gland, Switzerland, 9 July 2020 (IUCN) – Almost a third (31%) of all lemur species in Madagascar are now Critically Endangered – just one step away from extinction – with 98% of them threatened, according to today’s update of The IUCN Red List of Threatened…
Story | 06 Jul, 2020
Deep-sea mining effects may be felt from top to bottom, surface to seabed
Seabed mining effects will probably not be confined to the sea floor, argues a Proceedings of the National Academy (PNAS) journal article from the University of Hawaii, co-authored by IUCN's High Seas Adviser, Kristina Gjerde. The effects will be…
Story | 30 Jun, 2020
Building ambition for the High Seas Treaty: June IUCN webinar series. What did you miss?
The goal of the three sessions was for all to better understand the UN Treaty on the Conservation and Sustainable use of Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (the High Seas Treaty), to address potential points of divergence, and to build ambition for the …