News from the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC)

Header photo: Balsas river Cichlid (Amphilophus istlanus) 
Credits: 

More than 12 IUCN SSC Specialist Groups participated at the UN Convention on Migratory Species COP 15 in Campo Grande, Brazil. All 36 listing proposals presented by the Parties were adopted by COP 15. The IUCN SSC is committed to supporting Parties and the CMS with the best available knowledge, data and tools to ensure that commitments translate into effective results for migratory species.

_{Photo: IUCN delegation at CMS COP 15, by Qiunli Liu}

The Emperor penguin and Antarctic fur seal are now both Endangered, according to The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. The emperor penguin assessment was produced through the work of the IUCN SSC Penguin Specialist Group, in coordination with BirdLife International, and the seal assessments were produced by the IUCN SSC Pinniped Specialist Group. The new assessments will be published on the emperor penguin and seals’ species profiles as part of a broader Red List update later this year.

_{Photo: Emperor penguins, by Philip Tratan}

The IUCN SSC partnered with Indianapolis Zoo to launch the Uproar Conservation Challenge. This initiative, led by the Indianapolis Zoo, in collaboration with the IUCN SSC Global Center for Species Survival, and SSC Specialist Groups identified 64 at-risk animals, plants and fungi to receive conservation funding support. The Bolivian ornate tiger beetle became the winner of this challenge.

The updated European Red List of Freshwater Fishes reveals little evidence of species recovery and calls for urgent action to protect Europe’s aquatic biodiversity. Led by Matthew Ford, member of the IUCN SSC Freshwater Fish Specialist Group, and produced through the collaboration of over 135 experts from more than 30 countries, this report identifies karst systems as the most imperilled habitat, with over 90% of resident fish species threatened.

_{Photo: Metalimnion}

Despite their importance, fungi remain underrepresented in global conservation priorities and largely absent from indicators established for monitoring progress within the Global Biodiversity Framework. To help address this gap, the IUCN SSC Fungi Conservation Committee has published a paper introducing the first attempt to develop an EDGE list for fungi. The work highlights species that represent a disproportionate amount of unique evolutionary history and may need particular conservation attention.

_{Photo: Chlorogaster dipterocarpi, by Thomas Læssøe (CC-BY-SA)}

Experts from the IUCN Species Survival Commission convened at Suyian Soul Camp, on Suyian Ranch, central Kenya, to reassess Africa’s five wild pig species for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. The two-day meeting strengthened conservation strategies, introduced new trapping methods, and issued a formal call for increased research to protect these ecologically vital, yet often neglected, species.

_{Photo: Phacochoerus aethiopicus by M.Markolf}

The IUCN SSC Human-Wildlife Conflict & Coexistence (HWCC) Specialist Group and FAO launched a publication with several case study documents across seven Balkan countries to address the problem by strengthening institutional and law enforcement capacity.

A newly published IUCN SSC Asian Elephant Specialist Group document highlights how invasive plant species are degrading elephant habitats across Asia and presents practical guidance for governments and conservation practitioners to protect elephants, restore habitats, and reduce human–elephant conflict.

The IUCN SSC Guidelines on Human-Wildlife Conflict and Coexistence are now available in Swahili and German. They offer practical, holistic guidance to support effective conflict management and coexistence efforts globally. The guidelines are also currently available in English, French, Portuguese, Russian, Arabic, and Spanish, with the Chinese and Amharic translations coming soon.

The IUCN SSC Freshwater Conservation Committee launched the "Mesoamerican Freshwater Biodiversity Conservation Alliance”, a multisectoral and inclusive alliance, committed to the conservation and comprehensive management of biodiversity and freshwater ecosystems in Mesoamerica. The Alliance will act guided by scientific knowledge and traditional wisdom, fostering community participation.

A Grasshopper Conservation Symposium was held at the 15^th International Congress of Orthopterology in San Martín de Los Andes, Patagonia Argentina from 8-12 March 2026. The Congress was organized by María Marta Cigliano and Héctor Medina, members of the IUCN SSC Grasshopper Specialist Group (SG). During the Symposium, organized by Axel Hochkirch, Grasshopper SG co-chair, the participants learned about management plans and conservation efforts for threatened Orthoptera in New Zealand, the Balkan Steppes, Cameroon rainforests, West Carpathians and the Mount Pindos range in Greece.

_{Photo: Participants of the 15th International Congress of Orthopterology}

The proceedings of the International Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita) Symposium (March 2025) are now available on the website of the IUCN SSC Stork, Ibis and Spoonbill Specialist Group. This publication brings together the contributions of more than 60 experts from 12 countries, covering key advances in research, conservation, reintroduction, and management of one of the most emblematic endangered bird species.

This is a silent loss that reflects a broader crisis in the region's biodiversity. With the support of IUCN South America, El Pais recently published a report addressing this topic. The article includes the perspective of the IUCN, featuring Gabriel Quijandria, Regional Director for South America, and Mariella Superina, member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission, who emphasize the urgent need to strengthen conservation with integrated, evidence-based approaches.

To celebrate its first 20 years, Amphibian Ark has launched a new podcast: Amphibian Rescue. The podcast highlights how scientists, conservation organizations, and the zoo and aquarium community came together to respond to one of the most significant wildlife crises of our time. In episode 2 they highlight how two specialist groups from the IUCN SSC, the CPSG and the ASG, were among the leading founding members of Amphibian Ark.

The IUCN SSC Center for Species Survival (CSS) Asian Elephant -initiative partnered with Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and Wildlife Trust of India- has launched a new call for the CSS Asian Elephant Rapid Response Grant. This grant provides funding to support communities working to mitigate conflicts (HEC) in South Asia and South East Asia, and promote coexistence.

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) © 2026

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