August 2024

The IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) has been officially recognized by Guinness World Records® as the largest volunteer conservation science network globally. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the dedication of thousands of volunteer experts from nearly every country who are working to conserve nature and protect biodiversity.

Alpenzoo Innsbruck, in collaboration with the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC), has launched a new Centre for Species Survival (CSS), becoming the 19th conservation organisation worldwide to join this global network. This new Centre will enhance Alpenzoo's commitment to the conservation of small mammal taxa, in partnership with the IUCN SSC Small Mammal Specialist Group (SMSG).

Explore the latest issue of the IUCN SSC Quarterly Report, featuring vital conservation efforts across the globe. This edition highlights two intervention letters addressing pressing conservation issues in Arizona, USA, and Inhambane, Mozambique. Read about the SSC Chair’s Office team's recent in-person meeting, strategic planning for the future, and expert insights on the environmental impact of palm oil. Also included is coverage of the first Regional Conservation Forum in México City and the new Center for Species Survival: Asian Elephant's conservation work in India. Plus, get a recap of the creative and successful activities led by the Centers for Species Survival (CSS) at the World Species Congress.

The IUCN Red List has now surpassed its Barometer of Life goal, with 163,040 species assessed and 45,321 of them threatened with extinction. Notable updates include the Endangered status of the Bornean elephant, with an estimated 1,000 individuals remaining, and significant declines in reptile populations on Gran Canaria and Ibiza due to invasive species. However, conservation efforts have led to improved status for the La Gomera giant lizard. Meanwhile, 82% of copiapoa cacti in Chile's Atacama desert face extinction due to illegal trade and climate change.

The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) has become a symbol of conservation success in Spain, making a remarkable comeback from the brink of extinction. Once classified as "Endangered," the species has been reclassified as "Vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List, thanks to coordinated efforts that increased its population from just 62 mature individuals in 2001 to over 2,000 today, including young and mature lynxes.

We're excited to introduce a new SSC DATA module designed to streamline the collection of 'Conservation Success Stories' aligned with the targets set by SSC Groups under the ACT component (2021-2025). We aim to build a powerful narrative showcasing SSC's contributions to species conservation by centralising these achievements. Be part of this important initiative!

Explore the latest IUCN Save Our Species impact report, which highlights efforts to address emerging conservation threats in Africa. Over the past five years, the initiative has supported 46 grantees across 23 countries. For more details on the achievements and lessons learned, join the upcoming webinar on August 21. The event will feature presentations from project grantees, conservation experts, and members of the European Commission.

Urgent action is required to conserve the world's most threatened vertebrate group. The newly updated Amphibian Conservation Action Plan (ACAP) is now available, providing the most current evidence base to guide amphibian conservation efforts. This comprehensive document, authored by over 100 global experts, is a vital resource for anyone involved in protecting amphibians.

A recent article emphasizes the urgent need to integrate biodiversity into global climate change strategies. While the focus on reducing carbon emissions is crucial, neglecting biodiversity can undermine these efforts, as environmental issues are deeply interconnected. The article outlines six key areas where protecting, conserving, and restoring biodiversity can significantly enhance climate-change mitigation efforts, ultimately reducing vulnerability to extreme weather events and safeguarding socioenvironmental services.

The journal of the IUCN SSC Asian Elephant Specialist Group has been published and is freely available online. The issue presents a variety of Asian elephant conservation research articles (including peer-reviewed), short communications, and news briefs.

In June, the IUCN SSC ASTSG organised an In-Person Meeting at Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta in Indonesia. A full-day public seminar and a three-day work planning workshop were attended by over 110 participants, including government representatives of Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, the public and the members.

Check out the online training opportunities organized by the Conservation Planning Specialist Group (CPSG) to gain new tools for effectively developing and implementing species conservation plans. Courses include Facilitating Species Conservation Planning Workshops, Wildlife Disease Risk Analysis, and Ex Situ Conservation Assessment. 

Check out the online training opportunities organized by the Conservation Planning Specialist Group (CPSG) to gain new tools for effectively developing and implementing species conservation plans. Courses include Facilitating Species Conservation Planning Workshops, Wildlife Disease Risk Analysis, and Ex Situ Conservation Assessment. 

Register for the "Best Practice of National Red Listing 2024" workshop, which will take place on September 27, 2024, in Brussels. The workshop is organized by ICENCA and covers all IUCN regions in collaboration with the IUCN regional offices, as well as the IUCN National Committee of the Netherlands, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), IUCN SSC, IUCN Red List Unit Cambridge, IUCN National Red List Working Group, The Leo Foundation, and the Belgian Biodiversity Platform.

• Monitoring and Evaluation for Wildlife Conservation
  Starting 20th Aug, 2024 (3- 3.5 hours of learning per week)

• Project Management for Wildlife Conservation
  Starting 4th Sep, 2024 (3.5 hours of learning per week)

• Project Planning for Wildlife Conservation
  Starting 16th Sep, 2024 (4 hours of learning per week)

• Stakeholder Engagement for Wildlife Conservation
  Starting 24th Sep, 2024 (3.5 hours of learning per week)

• Grant Writing for Wildlife Conservation
  Starting 23rd Oct, 2024 (4 hours of learning per week)

TRAFFIC is looking for a Director of Policy to lead and coordinate its global policy and advocacy efforts. This role involves shaping TRAFFIC's engagement in international multilateral environmental processes (such as CITES) and enhancing policy frameworks at global, regional, and national levels to address biodiversity and trade. Applications are open until 4 September 2024.

It is aimed at biodiversity conservation associations around the world to support their practical actions to protect ecosystems and endangered species, particularly through sport. The grants provided are of an amount of €5,000 or €15,000.

This Award worth £50,000 in project funding, supports community-based conservation initiatives that are poised for scale-up and using the latest available science to benefit wildlife, people and the climate. Deadline to apply: 31st October 2024.