Shocking deaths of howler monkeys and sloths in nature paradise

In Costa Rica, a country globally celebrated for its lush biodiversity and eco-tourism, a darker reality lurks in the canopy: the quiet, gruesome deaths of thousands of wild animals by electrocution. Sloths, howler monkeys, anteaters—icons of the rainforest and the tourism industry alike—are being burned alive on uninsulated power lines.

A new national campaign, bluntly titled “This Is NOT Pura Vida,” is now challenging Costa Rica’s green image and demanding that the government fulfill promises made to protect its wildlife. Launched by International Animal Rescue (IAR) Costa Rica, the campaign is urging the immediate implementation of Executive Decree No. 44329—a legal framework passed in early 2024 but largely ignored since.

Related: Costa Rican all inclusive vacationers taking selfies and damage turtle nesting sites

“In Nosara alone, nearly 100 animals were electrocuted in just one year,” said Gabriela Campos, Director of IAR Costa Rica. “These aren’t rare accidents—they’re evidence of a national crisis in conservation.”

Many of Costa Rica’s arboreal animals, such as sloths and monkeys, use tree canopies to move through the forest. But as development fragments their habitats, they are increasingly forced to use power lines to bridge gaps—lines that are often uninsulated and deadly. The consequences are horrific.

According to the Jaguar Rescue Center, 53 electrocuted animals were brought in during the first part of 2024. Most of them died. Survivors often suffer internal burns, open wounds, and, in the best cases, require amputations or lifelong sanctuary care.

“The injuries are catastrophic and deeply painful,” said Dr. Francisco Sánchez, IAR’s veterinary director. “For many, euthanasia is the only humane option.”

Electrocution is not just an individual tragedy—it’s a blow to entire species. In howler monkey troops, for example, the death of a dominant male can lead to the infanticide of all his offspring by incoming rivals, compounding the toll. Costa Rica has long branded itself as a model of sustainability. But conservationists say this crisis contradicts its international reputation.

Related: want to start a commune like Pacha Mama in Costa Rica?

“Allowing animals to burn to death on outdated, unsafe power lines is the opposite of ‘Pura Vida,’” said Gavin Bruce, CEO of IAR. “The government has the tools. What’s missing is political will.”

The campaign points to Executive Decree 44329, which was passed in 2024 to mandate wildlife protection measures in electrical infrastructure. The decree requires coordination between various agencies—MINAE, SINAC, ICE, CNFL, and municipalities—but over a year later, implementation is practically nonexistent.

Key reasons behind the ongoing electrocutions include:

• Rapid, unregulated development without wildlife corridors
• Outdated or uninsulated power lines near forests and towns
• Lack of Environmental Impact Assessments for electrical projects
• Poor enforcement of existing laws and no accountability
• Patchy or nonexistent mitigation efforts in known hot-spots

Despite Costa Rica’s silence, international voices are amplifying the alarm. IAR and its supporters are collecting signatures through the This Is NOT Pura Vida campaign website, calling on Costa Rican authorities to fully enforce Decree 44329 and insulate dangerous lines.

“This is not just a Costa Rican problem—it’s a global conservation emergency,” says Bruce. “We can’t let bureaucracy become a death sentence for sloths and monkeys.”

Thousands of signatures are needed to pressure power companies and policymakers. Signing the petition takes less than a minute—and could help save a species. Want to help? Visit https://www.estonoespuravida.org/english and sign the petition today. Because watching wildlife suffer in silence is not Pura Vida.

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Assomption Island is the back door to one of the last unspoiled corners of Seychelles, the Aldabra Atoll. The Seychelles is a nation of people that control 115 islands scattered across the Indian Ocean. With just over 100,000 people and a heroin crisis afflicting nearly 10% of its population, this small country faces vast and complex challenges. But perhaps none are more pressing—or more invisible to the wider world—than the fate of its sea turtles.

At the center of this story is Dr. Jeanne A Mortimer, an American-Seychellois biologist who has been studying sea turtles since 1973 and working in Seychelles since 1981. Known affectionately as “Madam Torti” among locals, Jeanne is not an activist. She’s not leading protests or lobbying parliament. She is, as always, knee-deep in research—methodically documenting, measuring, walking the beaches at dawn, and then later at night when the turtles nest, and publishing what she finds.

And what she finds is urgent.

Assomption Beach Too Valuable to Lose

Assomption lies just 20 miles from the Aldabra Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage Site world-renowned for its giant tortoises, sea turtles, and pristine ecosystem. But while Aldabra has enjoyed global protection since 1968, Assomption, once over-mined for guano, remains largely overlooked. Development on Assomption will directly threaten Aldabra Atoll, considered to be an outpost of evolution.

According to Mortimer, Assomption once had the largest population of nesting green turtles in all of Seychelles. The island’s seven kilometers of mostly uninterrupted beach and deep offshore approach make it ideal for both turtle nesting and tourism. “It’s a perfect green turtle beach,” she explains, “better than Aldabra’s in many ways.”

That perfection now puts it at risk. Plans have emerged by a Qatari-based company Assets Group—cloaked in secrecy—for a luxury development of up to 37 private villas along the beach. Some like Syechelles presidential candidate Marco Francis, says the government has been bought off for $50 million. Assets Group agreed to an interview with Green Prophet but it’s been a month and they have not responded to our questions over allegations of terror financing and lack of environmental oversight.

Journalists have been there recently on Assomption, but they were not allowed to leave the tarmac or take photos. Building was clearly visible and construction crews are digging away, says a source to Green Prophet firsthand.

The scale and style of the project, suggest permanent disruption to this fragile ecosystem. No formal environmental survey has been conducted. No baseline turtle data has been published. And Mortimer, arguably the foremost authority on turtles in the region, has not been consulted.

Mortimer’s approach is neither alarmist nor oppositional. Her power lies in knowledge. After receiving her PhD under legendary sea turtle biologist Archie Carr at the University of Florida, she brought her expertise to Seychelles at the request of WWF and the local government. Her mandate: to study all turtle activity across the archipelago’s 155 islands.

See our talk with Jeanne Mortimer:

To reach remote islands like Cosmoledo, she traveled aboard supply ships like the Cinq Juin, slept on the floor of yacht galleys during high monsoons, getting soaked with water, and sometimes posed as a cook just to gain passage. Guests aboard the cabin caught on that she knew too much about Biology to be a standard cook.

Once, she stayed five months on Cosmoledo atoll among a dozen Seychellois turtle hunters, documenting the precise dynamics of a community reliant on harvesting turtles, sharks, and fish. When camping at night she wore socks on her feet and keep her hair wrapped in cloth so island rats wouldn’t nibble on her toes or collect her hair for making nests. She even ate turtles because food choices, those days, were slim.

Her presence changed them. “When I first arrived, the men were worried I would interfere,” she later wrote. “But by living with them, working alongside them, they developed a new perspective.” She never asked them to stop; she simply watched, listened, and recorded. That data formed the foundation for Seychelles’ 1994 decision to ban turtle hunting entirely.

She laments those days even, because they had a culture around hunting sharks and fishing and turtles, citing a fondness for Mazarin as the fisherman of fishers. She didn’t judge as it was their income and way of life. There are even times when she helped salt the fish for fear it would spoil before reaching the market.

Assomption: A Mirror of the Past

She says that what happened at Cosmoledo in the 1980s is relevant today on Assomption. The threat has shifted—from salted meat and tortoiseshell to artificial light and luxury development—but the stakes remain the same.
“Turtles are most vulnerable when they’re nesting,” Mortimer explains. “And we now know that females may take 30 to 35 years to reach sexual maturity. When they do, they return to the same beach again and again—sometimes for decades.”

These are the turtles that Assomption once hosted in abundance. And thanks to early signs of recovery, they are starting to return. If left undisturbed, Mortimer believes Assomption’s green turtle population could rival or exceed Aldabra’s.

But the Qatari villa development underway presents a new kind of threat. “The biggest issue is lighting,” she says. “Turtles won’t nest if there’s light on the beach. Hatchlings get disoriented. It’s one of the most studied impacts we know.”

And it’s not just turtles. Assomption hosts rare insect communities and bat populations, many of which could be wiped out by light pollution alone. Developers have reportedly promised a 1% footprint—but Mortimer warns that artificial light knows no boundaries. She also knows how devastating pesticides against bugs will harm the insects and the bats that feed off them. She once wanted to be an entomologist and knows how delicately all parts of island nature is connected.

In over five decades of work across more than 20 countries, Mortimer has seen conservation succeed. The many long-term monitoring programs she has coordinated in Seychelles—at places like Cousin, Aride, D’Arros and Aldabra—are now scientific goldmines. They prove that when science and policy align, recovery is not only possible, it is inevitable. Save Our Seas Foundation has been very helpful to her research, she says.

But Assomption is different. No formal turtle survey has ever been published for the island. No environmental management plan is in place. And development is already underway. Educating locals is one thing but now with international investment it’s a beast she has no experience in tackling and is letting environmental activists do the job.

It is, says Mortimer, “a very valid concern.”

She’s not fighting it. But she’s watching, documenting, and—when asked—offering solutions. “Turtle-friendly development is not a metaphor,” she explains. “It’s a science. Setback lines. Blackout curtains. No visible light from the beach. We know how to do this.”

The problem, as she puts it, is not science right now —it’s politics. “I don’t know why they haven’t asked me to help. But I would.”

Despite everything, Mortimer remains focused on what can still be saved. She invests where she can have impact. And she believes in young people—especially the children of those with power.

“If a Qatari child sees a turtle nesting and says, ‘Hey Mom, Dad, we should protect this,’ that might do more than any scientist,” she told me.

Her advice to the next generation isn’t to give up plastic straws. It’s to demand structural change. “The real responsibility lies with governments and corporations. Not individual guilt. We need investment in alternatives—seaweed-based plastics, smart design, policy change.”

Dr. Mortimer served as a mentor and inspiration to Dr. Yaniv Levy, now one of the Mediterranean’s leading sea turtle conservationists who lived on and near Aldabra Atoll for 2 years. He has built a sea turtle hospital, develops complex rehabilitation devices, and artificial flippers and runs a breeding program where he releases thousands of baby sea turtles back to the sea every year with the help of 600 volunteers. His latest research shows how animal feedstock bags tossed into the sea, contribute to sea turtle mortality.

Levy says that Mortimer’s encouragement and science-first approach inspired him when he met her on Aldabra and shaped his philosophy of protection through data and experience. She is the grandmother of sea turtle research, and leads the conversation globally in the annual sea turtle conference.

Meanwhile, Mortimer isn’t slowing down, but rather speeding up so the science gets published. She continues to write papers, to walk beaches, and to document what others might overlook. Assomption, for now, remains a question mark—a fragile bridge between two possible futures.

—

Karin Kloosterman is a former biologist and works as a science journalist and founder of Green Prophet. She interviewed Dr. Jeanne Mortimer for this story in Seychelles and is actively investigating the conservation status of Assomption Island.

To read more in our series see:

Seychelles Island under threat and linked to terror funds

Seychelles and the battle with royalty and rats – a talk with Adrian Skerrett

He lived on Aldabra Atoll and was inspired to protect sea turtles forever

They knew they shouldn’t be there: journalist Kevin Gepford writing a book on tortoises from Aldabra Atoll

Nirmal Jivan Sha on the history of conservation in the Seychelles

Seychelles Island sold to Qatar, leaving the conservationists out

The post They Call Her Madam Torti. She Might Be the Only One Who Can Save Seychelles Turtles appeared first on Green Prophet.

Second generation Seychellois conservation leader speaks candidly about the Qatar deal on Assomption Island, environmental secrecy, and the rising tide of neo-colonialism in the Indian Ocean

As controversy brews over a Qatari-backed development on Seychelles’ remote Assomption Island, questions are being raised about environmental transparency, geopolitical influence, and the future of conservation. I reached out to Dr. Nirmal Jivan Shah, CEO of Nature Seychelles, for his unfiltered perspective. A second-generation Seychellois conservationist, Shah has led the rescue of endangered birds, worked with luxury hotels on reef restoration, and witnessed firsthand the transformation of his country’s ecological and political landscape.

Nirmal has talked extensively about the problems of managing 155 islands with a small population of 100,000 people. Some of the islands have been isolated for millions of years, but when settlers came 250 years ago they disrupted and devastated ecosystems for hardwood, and to plant coconuts and cinnamon. He is working to restore island ecosystems through his not-for-profit organization. 

This interview follows my previous reporting on the topic, including conversations with presidential hopeful Maarco Francis and longtime conservationist Adrian Skerrett.

Karin Kloosterman: You’ve worked with private island owners for decades in Seychelles. How does this current deal on Assomption compare?

Nirmal Jivan Shah: I’ve led some of the most successful island restoration and endemic bird rescue projects in Africa and Indian Ocean with 5 star properties on private islands in Seychelles over a period of more than 15 years. If it wasn’t the alliance we forged with these private owners, frankly birds that were on the brink of extinction such as the Seychelles Magpie Robin would have vanished by now. We’ve also been working with internationally branded hotels to restore coral reefs around Praslin island.

Now we are partnering with 5 star establishments on Mahe island and the Ministry responsible for Environment to restore and co-manage wetlands including mangroves. These are amazing examples of corporate responsibility and private investment in the environment.

However, developments wrapped in mystery and secrecy are not the way to go.

The high drama around the Assumption project would not have happened if there was transparency and independent conservation organisations like Nature Seychelles would have been involved from day one. 

I was not comfortable that the NGO Island Conservation Society which works very closely with the Island Development Co, a State Owned Enterprise leading the push for the Assumption project along with its allied company Green Island Construction, undertook the EIA.

I think the ICS should have been the independent, objective party to assess the EIA and monitor the development. As NGOs, I believe we should be watchdogs and honest-brokers.

Karin: Some argue Assomption Island was bound to be developed. Do you agree?

Nirmal: Assumption island itself was ecologically ruined with guano mining during colonial times and development there was inevitable at some point. The sensitivity of it though that is that it is the “gateway” to Aldabra. However, no international conservation organisation had expressed interest in it and the Seychelles Government doesn’t have the resources to maintain and monitor Assumption nor all the other far flung islands of the Seychelles.

Karin: The Seychelles Islands Foundation has raised concerns. Could they help restore oversight?

Nirmal: The Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) responsible for Aldabra has said it was inadequately informed and consulted. If the SIF gains responsibility for biosecurity and monitoring over the operations, I would be more comfortable.

Karin: What about the broader trend of development in Seychelles?

Nirmal: In general in Seychelles it is obvious there is now overdevelopment of hotels on Mahe in particular but other islands as well. There has been resistance from environmental activists and members of the public which have been well covered by the local media. I believe that after so many years of quite good planning and environmental controls Seychelles has succumbed to big money development across the board.

Karin: You told me everything was approved through proper government channels?

Nirmal: As I understand it, the project was legally approved, by the Cabinet of Ministers, then an EIA was made and approved, and finally approval by the Planning Authority. This is the crux of the problem.

Karin: Your father, Kantilal Jivan Shah, was a legendary conservationist. What might he think?

Nirmal: My father was one of a handful of Seychellois who fought to prevent the British from building a naval base on Aldabra, and who was instrumental in getting the owner of Cousin Island to sell it to BirdLife International to save the Seychelles warbler. But I’m not sure what he would think about development on Assomption. His company supplied and bought copra from the outer islands, including as far away as Diego García, so the development of islands was normal to them to run the plantation-based economy.

Karin: You also revealed a surprising connection between Assomption and sand extraction?

Nirmal: Hundreds and hundreds of tonnes of sand have been taken from Assumption where aeolian dunes build up. In modern times this was done to, reportedly, build the beach at Sun City in South Africa, at the International Airport to welcome the Miss World contestants, and now apparently for the FIFA beach soccer competition this year. 

Karin: What are your thoughts on the Qatar connection? Some critics say this feels like neo-colonialism.

Nirmal: There are still neo-colonial forces dominating Seychelles. The EU tuna fisheries is an example that I personally have publicly contested. The difference today is that Seychellois are by and large well-off and successful and not slaves being worked to death or impoverished workers with no future. Which is why it’s difficult to get many people worked up about what’s going on in the far-flung outer islands where 95% of the population have never been. My conversations with people also reveal that quite a few Seychellois feel that a tiny country with few resources has to make trade-offs to remain actually viable in a hugely complex and increasingly difficult-to-navigate world.

Karin: You’ve said the country faces income inequality and a drug crisis. Can you elaborate?

Nirmal: It’s not to say that 100% of the population have been able to take advantage of economic opportunities and income inequality is a growing problem (as in all high income countries). As is a huge heroin addiction problem (but that also takes money to buy. Where are they getting the money?) Seychelles is the only High Income country in Africa and reports say it is also in a sort of narco-corridor in the Western Indian Ocean with Madagascar and Mauritius forming a nexus of drug trafficking and corruption.

Karin: Do you believe anyone—such as Maarco Francis or a new president—could reverse the Assomption deal?

Nirmal: My take is it would be difficult to halt it at this point. I’ve been told all the proper steps were taken, as per the laws, as I said before. Cabinet of Ministers approved it, EIA was submitted and approved, Planning Authority approved the plans.

Karin: Thank you, Nirmal, for being so candid. It’s clear the story of Assomption is not just about one island, but about how a nation balances sovereignty, ecology, and power.

For related reading see:

Seychelles’ Assomption Island Sold to Qatar: An Alleged $50M Deal Sparks Uproar Over Heroin, Corruption, and a Vanishing Paradise

Is UNESCO nature island being bought by terror-linked funds?

Seychelles and the battle with royalty, rats, and the last truly wild places left on Earth

The post Q&A: Dr. Nirmal Jivan Shah on Assomption Island, Qatar, and the State of Conservation in the Seychelles appeared first on Green Prophet.

An island in Africa’s smallest country is under scrutiny as conservationists raise alarm over an ultra-luxury development project on Assomption Island, Seychelles. Backed by Qatari investors with ties to controversial financial dealings (and alleged terror funds), the resort poses a potential threat to the Aldabra Atoll—one of the world’s most significant biodiversity hotspots and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We spoke with a local conservationist Adriam Skerret, bird expert and chairman of the Island Conservation Society on Mahé, whose interview we will publish next week. He told us that construction workers are already on the ground in Assomption and that there is no oversight.

“We are very concerned – there is no supervision. They are on the island and no one is there. Construction teams are there. They wanted 1500 construction workers and we said that’s too many. Never should there be more than 500. Who knows what’s goes on.”

Assomption Island lies roughly 20 miles from Aldabra Atoll, often called an “outpost for evolution” due to its unique ecological makeup and high concentration of endemic species. The island is home to endangered nesting sea turtles, giant tortoises, and over 400 species found nowhere else on Earth.

Construction has reportedly begun on Assomption Island for a development that includes luxury villas, a wellness spa, extended airstrip, and other high-end amenities. Conservationists argue this could devastate fragile habitats and pave the way for further commercial encroachment in the Aldabra region.

A 3-mile stretch of beach on Assomption is one of the best beaches in the Seychelles and a main breeding ground for the green turtle, says Skerret.

Despite opposition from some environmental NGOs and local communities (Skerret personally is for development, but in the right way), the Seychelles government has approved the project. Critics have questioned the transparency of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process, alleging it was expedited and potentially influenced by vested interests.

Qatari Influence and Allegations

The development is backed by the Assets Group, led by the Al-Khayyat brothers, whose business dealings have attracted international scrutiny. The pair have been implicated in UK court proceedings alleging ties to extremist financing—though these allegations remain under legal review.

Assets Group, the Qatari conglomerate behind the Assomption Island development, is led by the Al-Khayyat brothers—figures currently embroiled in UK legal proceedings over allegations of financing terrorist organizations. Court documents and investigative reports have linked the group to funneling funds through charitable fronts and construction firms tied to extremist networks, raising serious ethical and geopolitical concerns about their involvement in high-profile international projects.

When the Seychelles put out a tender for a development, Qatar was the only one who responded.

Observers such as the Friends of Aldabra fear that the resort is part of a broader geopolitical strategy: using opaque investment structures to gain strategic footholds in vulnerable island nations. Qatar’s expansion into tourism infrastructure across the Global South has raised similar concerns elsewhere.

A Troubled History of Assomption

According to ornithologist and conservationist Chris Feare, Assomption has already suffered catastrophic ecological damage due to guano mining in the 20th century. “Virtually all of its birds, some of them endemic forms, all of its Giant Tortoises and most of its vegetation were lost,” says Feare. The current development could undo decades of slow ecological recovery.

Assomption also serves as a critical logistical access point to the Aldabra region. Conservationists argue that once the airstrip is expanded to accommodate private jets, increased development pressure will follow across other islands in the Outer Islands District.

The Seychelles has long promoted itself as a global leader in marine conservation through its Blue Economy initiatives and high-profile international environmental partnerships. The Assomption project could undermine that reputation, and with national elections on the horizon, public scrutiny is mounting.

Despite concern from prominent figures, including Nirmal Shah, CEO of Nature Seychelles, institutional influence appears limited. “I have no role in any regulatory matter. I run an NGO,” he commented via LinkedIn. We have sent him more questions and he says he will return to us next week.

Visual materials shared by Assets Group show an ultra-luxury resort featuring up to 40 beachfront villas, an outdoor cinema, children’s clubs, diving experiences, and atoll sunset tours—all under the guise of “sustainable luxury.” The resort operator is expected to be announced in 2025, with an opening scheduled for 2027.

Meanwhile, activists continue to raise awareness and rally support to halt the development. The Island Conservation Society produced this environment assessment.

The post Seychelles’ UNESCO island under threat from luxury development and Qatari-linked terror funds appeared first on Green Prophet.

Researchers have taken the DNA from ‘Pando’ — a vast forest made up of a single root system sprouting nearly 50,000 cloned quaking aspen trees in Utah and it seems to confirm that it is one of the oldest organisms on Earth.

The Latin name Pando means “I spread,” and the forest is one single living thing –– one one tree that has cloned itself tens of thousands of times. Pando consists of approximately 47,000 individual stems all connected by a single, vast root system.

Do those trees have eyes?

Researchers sequenced hundreds of samples from the Populus tremuloides and found that it is between 16,000 and 80,000 years old. They were also able to track patterns of genetic variation spread throughout the tree, offering clues about how it has adapted and evolved over the course of its lifetime.

Located in central Utah on the Fishlake National Forest, Pando is approximately 1 mile southwest of Fish Lake on State Highway 25. Go on a road trip to see spots of nature, not cities. Your soul will thank you.

The post Pando aspen forest in Utah is one of world’s oldest beings appeared first on Green Prophet.

The Saudi National Center for Wildlife (NCW) proudly announces that the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has added the Ibex Protected Area to its exclusive Green List. The IUCN Green List recognizes protected and conserved areas globally that excel across governance, planning and design, effective management, and achieving positive conservations outcomes.

Ibex Protected Area, located 180 km south of Riyadh, joins IUCN Green List, which sets the global standard for protected and conserved areas management

Out of more than 300,000 protected areas worldwide, Ibex Protected Area becomes the 78th to have achieved the standards of the IUCN Green List.

The listing of Saudi Arabia’s first Protected Area represents a major milestone in the Kingdom’s commitment to ensure its protected areas are managed to the highest possible international standards.

The Ibex Protected Area, managed by NCW, is the first in Saudi Arabia to meet all the required criteria and achieve the highest standard, joining an exclusive list of less than 80 Protected Areas out of over 300,000 protected areas worldwide. 

Situated in the Tuwaiq mountain range in central Saudi Arabia and covering 1,840.9 km², the Ibex Protected Area is a rugged plateau that supports a variety of flora and fauna. Established as a protected area in 1988 at the request of local communities to safeguard a small herd of ibex, a threatened species of Ibex. As a result of NCW’s dedicated efforts, the ibex population, which has existed in the area for milennia, has significantly rebounded. 

The Ibex Protected Area also provides a habitat for other vulnerable species including mountain, rock hyraxes, foxes, birds, and reptiles. The area is home to diverse vegetation such as acacia trees, shrubs, herbs, and grasses. 

The inclusion of the Ibex Protected Area in the Green List is a global endorsement of the effectiveness of its management and conservation efforts. It highlights the success in protecting its rich natural resources, enhancing habitats, and promoting biodiversity. 

“The Ibex Protected Area’s Green List status not only elevates its international standing but also advances our broader conservation and sustainable development initiatives. We are actively working with our partners in the wildlife sector to bring all our national protected areas up to this l standard,” said Dr. Mohammed Qurban, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife. 

The National Center for Wildlife currently manages 11 protected areas across Saudi Arabia. Since 2017, NCW has supported the expansion of Saudi Arabia’s marine protected areas from 3.6 percent to 6.5 percent and its terrestrial protected areas from 4.5 percent to 18.1 percent.

The listing of Saudi Arabia’s first Protected Area represents a major milestone in Saudi Arabia’s commitment to ensure its protected areas are managed to the highest possible international standards. 

NCW collaborates closely with local communities, promoting sustainable development, ecotourism, scientific research opportunities, and preserving natural heritage, contributing to the prosperity of the surrounding region and the Kingdom as a whole. 

This achievement also represents continued progress of Saudi Arabia’s journey to reach the 30×30 Global Biodiversity Goal, which aims to protect 30% of Earth’s lands and oceans by 2030. Since 2017, Saudi Arabia has increased its marine protected areas from 3.6% to 6.5% and its terrestrial protected areas from 4.5% to 18.1%, and is on pace to reach 30% of both by 2030.

The post Saudi Arabia starts protecting nature for conservation appeared first on Green Prophet.

In a landmark collaboration, Colossal Biosciences and Re:wild have joined forces to tackle the global extinction crisis head-on. The partnership was unveiled during a recent virtual discussion moderated by Lindsay Nikole, a zoologist and science communicator on Colossal’s Youth Advisory Board. The conversation, which featured Matt James, chief animal officer at Colossal Biosciences, and Barney Long, senior director of conservation strategies at Re:wild, shed light on how the two organizations seek to revolutionize species conservation by merging cutting-edge de-extinction technology with proven conservation strategies.

Colossal Biosciences, a biotechnology powerhouse based in Dallas, is at the vanguard of applying advanced genetic technologies to conservation. With a team stacked with Ph.D. researchers specializing in genetics, genomics, and cell biology, Colossal is pioneering innovative tools to resurrect extinct species and fortify the populations of those teetering on the brink of extinction.

During the discussion, James declared, “Our mission is to make extinction a relic of the past. By harnessing the power of cutting-edge science, we are developing solutions that can have a profound, tangible impact on species conservation. This partnership with Re:wild allows us to channel our expertise and resources into projects that can make the greatest difference.”

Re:wild, a globally respected conservation organization, brings decades of experience protecting and restoring the planet’s most vulnerable species and ecosystems. Long emphasized the urgency of the partnership in addressing the mounting challenges facing biodiversity.

“When we started talking to Colossal, the idea of using new technologies, bringing in new tools into our toolbox to help these species, looking at those conservation breeding programs and how we can speed them up through some of these technologies or restore lost genes into populations to kind of walk back inbreeding, et cetera, just opens up a huge amount of really exciting possibilities and new tools in our toolkit for saving and recovering endangered species,” said Long.

Colossal Biosciences and Re:wild’s 10-Year Plan

The partnership’s ambitious 10-year plan, as discussed by James and Long, aims to prioritize projects that can deliver the most immediate and profound impact on species conservation. However, the success of these initiatives hinges not only on scientific breakthroughs, but also on the engagement and support of local communities.

“It really starts with the local stakeholders,” said James. “They must be on board, not just on board, but a part of the solution and they must benefit from the solution. So that’s really where projects like that advisory committee are coming in. It’s becoming a model for the way that we’re going to move forward with almost every program that we have.”

The alliance between Colossal Biosciences and Re:wild comes at a critical juncture in the global fight against biodiversity loss. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, over 44,000 species are currently threatened with extinction, representing 28% of all assessed species. This staggering figure underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions and collaborative efforts to stem the tide of species loss.

As the partnership takes shape, the conservation community is watching with keen interest. The prospect of reviving extinct species and bolstering the populations of those on the precipice of disappearance has ignited the imagination of conservationists worldwide.

The partnership’s impact is set to extend far beyond the confines of individual species. By pioneering new technologies and methodologies, Colossal Biosciences and Re:wild are laying the groundwork for a new era of conservation — one that is proactive, adaptive, and deeply rooted in the power of collaboration.

“One of the things that we’re really troubled with, which is a great problem to have, is that we have so many different potential projects that we could focus on so many ways that we could apply our technologies in a meaningful way to species in need,” said James. “But that becomes a prioritization challenge. And Re:wild is one of the leading organizations in the world when it comes to conservation planning and implementation.

“And so early on we identified Re:wild as someone that we should be aligned with, somebody that we could work closely with in order to provide guidance for how we can leverage technologies in the most meaningful way for nature. And so my first few conversations with Barney were really exciting. It’s sort of kid in the candy store stuff when we start talking about where could we go with these things, what are the dreams we both have for species?”

As the world grapples with the accelerating loss of biodiversity, the alliance between Colossal Biosciences and Re:wild offers hope. Their bold vision and unwavering commitment to species conservation serve as a clarion call for all those who refuse to accept extinction as an inevitability.

As the partnership embarks on its groundbreaking journey, the eyes of the world are upon them. With their combined expertise, passion, and determination, Colossal Biosciences and Re:wild are poised to reshape the landscape of conservation and offer a lifeline to countless species that were once thought lost forever. The future of biodiversity hangs in the balance, and this remarkable collaboration, as illuminated by the recent discussion moderated by Lindsay Nikole, may just be the key to tipping the scales in favor of life.

Said James, “Barney and I sat down with our teams and in really an amazingly short period of time, we’re able to hammer out a 10-year conservation plan for how we think Colossal and Re:wild should be behaving in the conservation space and what species we could impact. And so I think that was really a testament for what a strong partnership we have and how much alignment there is between our two organizations.”

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There are wild ingredients found in your home that are now under threat. Brazil nuts, argan oil, and shea butter are now classified among a dozen wild, threatened and at risk plants known as flagship species that need protecting. A new report published by the UN called Wild Check: Assessing risks and opportunities of trade in wild plant ingredients, sheds light on twelve flagship species – the so-called “wild dozen” – that are hidden in our everyday products.

Developed in collaboration with TRAFFIC, a non-governmental organisation working globally on trade in wild animals and plants, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the report aims to raise awareness about the sustainable use of wild-harvested plants. It can help consumers choose fair trade labels or opt out using these products altogether.

There is a  surge in global demand for wild plant ingredients (an increase of more than 75 percent in value over the past two decades).

Thousands of species are at risk primarily due to habitat loss, as well as other factors such as climate change and over-exploitation. Of the 21 percent of medicinal and aromatic plant species whose vulnerability status has been assessed, nine percent are considered threatened with extinction. About 1 billion of the world’s most vulnerable people are thought to depend on them for their livelihoods.

“The sustainable use of wild plants has critical implications for food security and for millions of livelihoods around the world. It is time that wild plants are given serious consideration in our efforts to protect and restore habitats, promote sustainable agrifood systems and build inclusive, resilient and sustainable economies, particularly as countries work on the post-COVID recovery,” said Sven Walter, who heads FAO’s Forest Products and Statistics team. 

Supply and demand

Plants make up around 80 percent of all biomass on Earth and play a fundamental role in supporting humans and other animals by providing food, medicine, oxygen and shelter. In some parts of the world, wild plants are collected by some of the most vulnerable people, often using traditional methods that date back generations.

Meanwhile, demand for wild plant ingredients keeps growing, especially in wealthier countries. Consumers in the United States alone spent an estimated 11.3 billion dollars on herbal dietary supplements in 2020, while preliminary evidence suggests the COVID-19 pandemic has renewed interest in the use of wild species as ingredients in traditional and modern medicine.

Overall, it is estimated that up to 5.8 billion people may be using wild or semi-wild plants globally, according to a study by Rhodes University in South Africa.

Despite their ubiquity, importance, and the threats they face, wild plant ingredients are often obscured from consumers and escape companies’ due diligence due to a lack of awareness and traceability.

The report aims to address these challenges by providing detailed information on a selection of ‘flagship’ wild plant ingredients, dubbed the “Wild Dozen.”

What are the wild dozen?

The 12 wild plants singled out in the report are:

Frankincense: Found in north-eastern parts of Africa, as well as in Oman, Somalia and Yemen, its resin is used for incense, aromatherapy, cosmetics, perfumes and traditional medicines. Conservation status: near threatened

Pygeum: Also listed in ingredients for medicines and herbal products as Prunus, African cherry, red stinkwood or African almond, this tree grows in forests across tropical Africa. Conservation status: vulnerable

Shea: Grows across Africa, from Senegal to Uganda. Used widely in the food industry as a cocoa butter equivalent, it is also popular in cosmetics. Locally, it is used as a healthy cooking oil. Conservation status: vulnerable

Jatamansi: A perennial, aromatic plant that grows in the Himalayas, its roots are harvested for their medicinal properties. Conservation status: critically endangered

Gum arabic: This species grows in Africa and is primarily used in the food and pharmaceutical industries as an additive, emulsifier or stabilizer. Conservation status: not assessed

Goldenseal: Also known as hydraste du Canada or ground raspberry, this species is native to eastern North America and is primarily used for medicinal products. Conservation status: vulnerable

Candelilla: Found in Mexico and confining parts of the United States, candelilla wax was a common ingredient in chewing gum. It is used as a food additive (E902) and in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, as well as industrial waxes and polishes. Conservation status: not assessed

Argan: Also known as Moroccan oil, and rumored to be processed inside a goat’s butt, argan oil‘s anti-ageing properties make it a popular choice among European and North American consumers of cosmetics and hair products, while its oil is also used to treat a number of ailments, from acne to arthritis. It grows in Algeria, Mauritania, Morocco and the Western Sahara territory. Conservation status: vulnerable

Baobab: The A. digitata variety of this species is native to mainland Africa and famously eaten by our ancestors. Baobab powder is used as a food and beverage ingredient, while its seed oil is used as a cosmetic ingredient. Conservation status: not assessed

Brazil nut: Harvested entirely from the wild, the tree is primarily exploited for its nutritious, edible nuts packed with nutrients and antioxidants such as magnesium, zinc, protein and selenium. Its harvesting has contributed to preserving millions of hectares of Amazonian forests, which is why it is often called the cornerstone of Amazon Forest conservation. Conservation status: vulnerable

Liquorice: This perennial herb is native to Eurasia, northern Africa and western Asia, and is primarily used for medicinal purposes, as a sweetener and in the tobacco industry. Conservation status: least concern

Juniper: Juniperus communis is a species of the temperate and subarctic northern hemisphere. Its berries are a key ingredient in gin manufacturing. They are also used as a food flavouring, an essential oil, an ingredient in cosmetics, and have a long history of use in traditional medicines and for religious purposes. Conservation status: least concern

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North Africa may not enjoy the same popularity for its national parks as some of the other renowned spots spread across the continent, but that in no way should be a deterrent to visit. The countries which constitute a major portion of the Sahara desert are home to some of the most stunning landscapes and regions of natural biodiversity that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

So set out on a journey with us to explore these areas of lush green wetlands, rugged mountains and some of the most fascinating flora and fauna in some of the top national parks of North Africa.

Toubkal National Park, Morocco

Standing tall at 4167 metres, Mount Toubkal, set in the beautiful Atlas mountains is the continent’s highest peak outside East Central Africa and is the main feature of this extremely popular national park of Morocco. The area is ideal for nature enthusiasts and hikers looking to spend a relaxing time in this attractive heritage spot from late spring extending to late autumn.

The park is home to more than a hundred species of birds, reptiles and other mammals. Some of the remarkable animals found here are the mountain sheep. Birdlife includes the Royal Golden Eagle, the Bonelli’s eagle, booted eagle and the short-toed eagle.

While hiking, keep your eyes peeled to the ground for porcupine, mongoose, the Atlas viper and the thorny eyed gecko. Toubkal National Park certainly makes for one of the best wildlife holidays in North Africa.

Jebil National Park, Tunisia

Situated in the Sahara desert, the 150,000 hectares Jebil National Park is the largest of all in Tunisia. Consisting mostly of desert vegetation, the place is home to a large variety of wildlife which include the Barbary sheep, a species which is endemic to the region.

Other animals found here are the fennec fox, cobra, horned viper, gazele and jackals. Birds which have made this place their home are bustards, larks and ravens. The park offers a perfect opportunity to view the natural world of Tunisia as other regions of the country focus mainly on ruins and towns.

El Kouf National Park, Libya

Access to this wonderful park is limited due to the political instability in the country, else the El Kouf National Park should be on the must visit list of any tourist to Libya. Enjoying a picturesque setting just off the Mediterranean coast, the park is known for its rich flora and fauna.

Shrubs, sand dunes and limestone hills form the predominant landscape here which in turn is home to rare animals like the striped hyena, the Egyptian wolf, red fox, crested porcupine and the tiny spotted Genet. Important birds spotted here include the golden eagle, barbary partridge, houbara bustard, black and white storks, sandgrouse and a variety of waders. Hopefully with passage of time visitors will be allowed to appreciate the unique ecosystem of El Kouf.

Banc d’Arguin National Park, Mauritania

Due to its strategic location extending to the Atlantic coast, the topography of the park consists of mainly shallow waters, coastal swamps and sand dunes resulting in a contrasting desert environment. This has resulted in throwing up a unique and diverse marine zone of important natural significance.

The vast marshy expanses attract millions of migratory birds from places as far as Europe and Siberia. Great white pelican, greater flamingo, caspian tern,reed cormorant, eurasian spoonbill are a few of the species found here.

The park also houses a number of varieties of turtle, notably green sea turtle, apart from  the bottle nosed and humpback dolphins. The only predominant mammal found here is the Dorcas gazelle. Virtually free from tourists this UNESCO World Heritage site is a very peaceful place to visit in a country off the tourist radar. Some airlines let you book now, pay later.

Ifrane National Park, Morocco

This 500 sq km park is boundaried by the Azoru National Park on one side and few Berber villages on the other. Home to wolves, wild boar and the highly endangered Barbary macaque, Ifrane is also known for its exceptional birdlife. Some fine species include marbled teal, common kestrel and red kite. The two Ramsar wetland areas harbour brahminy ducks and common coot.

The forests of the park are pretty alluring and the region is splashed with lakes among which Dayet Ifrah and Dayet Aoua support a large colony of birds.

Ahaggar National Park, Algeria

Dominated by the lofty Ahaggar Mountain range, the massive park covers an area of almost 450,000 square kilometres and lies in the Saharan Algerian Region. Even though rainfall in this area is scanty, an excellent number of animal species, some now extinct, roamed across these volcanic landscapes. Due to its location, plants and vegetation grow abundantly here, thus making survival of animals easy in the otherwise harsh conditions of the desert.

Nomadic herders have confirmed regular sightings of the critically endangered Saharan cheetah, once thought to have perished. Other important wildlife found here is the Dorcas gazelle and the endemic Barbary sheep.

Ichkeul National Park, Tunisia

Named after the lake which lies within its borders, the park is one of the most vital wetland reserves in Tunisia. A dam constructed upstream of this UNESCO World Heritage site has left the ecosystem in a balance, but thankfully conservation efforts have made it to survive.

The park forms a passage for migratory birds and ample numbers if geese, ducks, storks and flamingos make a halt here during the season.

Tlemcen National Park, Algeria

The Northwest part of Algeria is home to this park and lies near the city of Tlemcen, from where it got its name. The park is rich in biodiversity and nearly 141 species of animals have been recorded here along with almost 100 different varieties of birds, 18 reptile species and 7 amphibian types.

Historic sites found inside the park like the Beni Add caves and the Zariffet and Ain Fezza woodlands are of significant importance. The conservation efforts which have been undertaken  ensure that the flora and fauna are well preserved.

The extraordinary ecosystem has resulted in spotting exotic species such as – turtle Greek and common chameleon. Raptors make up for more than half of the bird population and migratory birds such as the white stork make up the rest. Mammals found here are forest cat, squirrels and Barbary sheep.

The large number of National Parks in North Africa are a source of food and shelter to an amazing variety of wildlife within its boundaries. This is the only place where you can witness the beauty of the harsh Sahara region and at the same time support in the conservation of some of the finest flora and fauna which manage to thrive in these extreme habitats.

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Among nature’s most frail ecosystems, coral reefs usually thrive in clear water with ambient temperatures and little salinity, but the recent find by scientists from Germany’s Institute for Geology Scientific Diving Center suggests that some reefs are more resilient than previously thought.

Not only is the mouth to the Shatt al-Arab River cold, polluted and turbulent, conditions that are typically unfavorable to coral reefs, but it has also been the site of considerable political instability.

The only waterway in Iraq that empties into the Persian Gulf, the confluence of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers also forms a natural border with Iran, making it of critical strategic importance to both countries.

Wars have been fought over the river, and during the American invasion and subsequent years, it was particularly integral as a means to deliver humanitarian aid and munitions to the interior.

Under these conditions, even the most devout researcher would be forgiven for overlooking the area. But the group led by Thomas Pohl persisted and for their efforts they were rewarded with the discovery of a 2.5 by 4.4 mile Palinurs Rock Reef previously unknown to science, according to Discovery News.

Related: The Marsh Arabs Who Restored a Global Ecosystem

“We were entirely surprised to find a living coral reef under such harsh conditions,” lead author Thomas Pohl of Germany’s Institute for Geology Scientific Diving Center and his colleagues wrote in the journal Scientific Reports.

While visibility was low at just three feet or less and the research team battled to study the reef, they found a fairly diverse ecosystem with a variety of hardy corals species and sponges.

“The authors identified a number of living stony corals and octocorals (which lack a stony skeleton),” writes Discovery News, “as well as sponges and aquatic mollusks that may compete with the corals for space on the reef — or that may cause the coral structure to erode.”

Like Nature Iraq, the group has struggled to mobilize the international community to take more interest in the region, which is consistently beset with political strife. They hope that this recent find will change that, Discovery reports.

“These habitats urgently need protection, conservation and research, especially given their location in areas of oil and gas exploration…”

:: Discovery News

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