Successful Conservation & Rewilding Projects

As part of the evolutionary process, the extinction of living creatures has always been a part of life on earth. However, scientists estimate that between 269 and 350 birds and mammals will become extinct by 2100 due to the devastating effects of climate change on ecosystems. If special list applications created for creatures at risk of extinction do not work, this number can go up to 1000. Therefore, taking the necessary precautions before it’s too late is of great importance to prevent biodiversity from vanishing worldwide.

According to Russia’s state-run news agency, paw prints belonging to a Siberian tiger have been spotted in Russia’s largest province for the first time in 50 years. This is a sign that the big cats are recovering from the brink of extinction due to hunting and logging. Today, there are an estimated 600 Siberian tigers in the wild.

Short Film By Deej Phillips

The EU, UK, Canada, Senegal and other Atlantic fishing nations agreed on stopping fishing the mako shark, the world’s fastest shark, due to decreasing population. This shark has been hunted for its meat and fins for years. This ban will be regulated through 2022 and 2023. 

”At long last, we have the basis for a game-changing rebuilding plan, but it won’t be successful if we take our eyes off the EU and their egregious intent to resume fishing a decade before rebuilding is predicted to begin,” said Ali Hood, director of conservation at the Shark Trust.

According to the census results published last May, the population of the wild Iberian lynx, which is reported as the most endangered cat species in the world, has increased tenfold over the previous 20 years. Females make up 239 of the population, and this ratio is an essential indicator of the viability of this species.

“This is a great conservation success in Spain and worldwide. Few species escape from such a critical situation as the Iberian lynx faced. The news today is the result of the tireless and collective work of more than 20 administrations and organisations, as well as many individuals. However, despite the celebratory mood today, we have to remember that the Lynx is not out of danger,” says Juan Carlos del Olmo, CEO of WWF-Spain.

Unfortunately, despite these positive developments, there is also negative news: Great apes are in danger. It has been reported that 90 per cent of their habitats will disappear by 2050. The combination of factors such as the climate crisis, the destruction of wildlife due to wood and food supply, and the uncontrolled increase in the human population cause the devastation of the habitats for the great apes and put many ecosystems in danger of extinction. 

Illustration by Sarah Nelson

“There must be global responsibility for stopping the decline of great apes. All nations benefiting from these resources have a responsibility to ensure a better future for great apes, their habitats and the people living there,” says Hjalmar Kühl, from the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research in Leipzig. 

Sea turtles, which have existed for approximately 100 million years, are in danger of extinction. Having an indispensable role in the health of marine and coastal ecosystems, the chance of survival of sea turtles is decreasing due to increasing human and industrial activities. Two of the seven species of sea turtles are “significantly endangered”, according to the IUCN Red List. Studies show that the leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelis coriacea) in the Pacific Ocean and the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) in the Mediterranean Basin are rapidly decreasing.

Illustrations by Anita Bagdi

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) banned commercial hunting in 1986 to save the whales. However, in 2019, Japan reversed this decision and started whaling again. Today, significant amounts of whaling continue to be practised in Japan. As a result, environmental scientists and activists warn both hunters and governments about animal rights violations and the risk of biodiversity extinction.

“These graceful giants face so many threats in our degraded oceans such as entanglement, plastic and noise pollution, and climate change, the last thing they need is to be put back in the whalers’ crosshairs,” says Kitty Block, president of Humane Society International.

Needles to say, the “excessiveness” of humans disrupts the balance of nature and destroys the habitats of all living creatures. However, it is not too late: We can prevent this extreme consumption by creating a collective consciousness. In this regard, the cooperation of international organisations, governments and local people (such as indigenous peoples) who can provide the most accurate observation and information on the protection of living creatures will prevent the destruction of our world.

There is no Planet B!

Artwork by Julio Cesar

Artwork By Dr. Sabine Waldmann-Brun