In the Indian Trans-Himalaya, Pallas’s cat Otocolobus manul is reported exclusively from Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim. In Ladakh, it has been reported primarily from the south-east, with no prior evidence of its occurrence in the north. In this study, we documented the first record of Pallas’s cat in the Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary in the Nubra Valley, northern Ladakh. We identified the species based on the non-invasive genetic analysis of a morphologically ambiguous scat sample collected during a study on dietary patterns of sympatric carnivores. DNA-based species identification confirmed the presence of Pallas’s cat. We also identified prey remains, of pika Ochotona spp. and Himalayan marmot Marmota himalayana, in the scat. Our record extends the known range of Pallas’s cat into northern Ladakh and adds a new mammal species to the documented fauna of the Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary. We recommend a comprehensive assessment of distribution, population, diet, habitat and potential threats to this elusive species to ensure its long-term survival in this landscape.

Electrical power systems are a ubiquitous part of the Anthropocene. Wildlife interactions with these systems can be positive, for example when natural nesting substrates are limited, but are frequently negative, for example when nests catch fire or nesting individuals are electrocuted. Electrocution research focuses primarily on birds because they, especially large species, are particularly prone to electrocution. However, many other animals are also electrocuted. To explore non-avian electrocutions, we used crowdsourced data from Iran, where electric utility personnel frequently describe unusual incidents on electric industry-focused social media channels. In posts from January 2014 to December 2023, we identified 120 reports of non-avian electrocutions involving mammals (74%), reptiles (24%), amphibians (1%) and invertebrates (< 1%). Most (91%) incidents involved correctly operating electrical systems, indicating that the design of these electrical systems did not account for potential animal contacts. A few (9%) involved malfunctioning electrical components (overturned or energized power poles) that would also have been hazardous to humans. The greatest number of electrocutions occurred as a result of contact with low-voltage and ground-mounted equipment. For example, 220–600 V freestanding switchboards accounted for about one-third of electrocutions. Many of the documented incidents involved outages (n = 71), or outages together with fire ignitions (n = 8), indicating cascading effects on human populations and the environment. Mitigation measures to prevent these incidents are widely available, and should be used throughout the electrical system. Future research should document and quantify non-avian incidents beyond Iran, to better understand the impact of electrical systems on non-avian wildlife.

In 2001, only six Bali starlings Leucopsar rothschildi remained in the wild. In 2006, the NGO Friends of Nature, People and Forests established a second population on Nusa Penida Island through the release of captive-bred individuals, installation of nest boxes, and engagement with local communities, an approach later extended to Besikalung Wildlife Sanctuary. In this study, we evaluated breeding success in Besikalung in relation to location and nest box placement and examined the role of local cultural frameworks in supporting conservation. We assessed breeding outcomes from 34 nest boxes across sites and conducted interviews with key local stakeholders. Breeding success differed among locations, indicating that site-specific conditions influence reproductive outcomes. Interviews showed that conservation at Besikalung is reinforced by Indigenous law (awig-awig), grounded in the Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, and by the symbolic status of the Bali starling as an emblem of Bali, which together strengthen community support for its protection.

Urbanization is one of the most enduring transformations in land use, resulting in often irreversible habitat loss and fragmentation, which are key drivers of defaunation. However, the impact of urbanization varies depending on the native vegetation remaining within urban areas. In the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, urbanization has led to biodiversity loss but the city still has a significant coverage of green areas and remnants of Atlantic Forest. This includes the Tijuca National Park, which has been the focus of reintroduction projects to restore native fauna. The first of these was of the Ariel toucan Ramphastos ariel in 1970, which has established well. Flocks are now often seen in the city’s green spaces but no monitoring has been carried out since the reintroduction. Here, we seek to understand how the reintroduced population is utilizing urban green areas for feeding and reproduction, which are key indicators of reintroduction success. We characterized frugivory in the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden over 290 weeks during 2017–2023, using the feeding bouts method. We recorded 850 observations of toucans feeding on the fruits of 91 plant species. We also assessed reproductive success during two breeding seasons, monitoring 29 fledglings in 10 nests. Nests in tree cavities were re-used in both breeding seasons, by different nesting birds. We conclude that this urban green area provides breeding sites for the R. ariel population and food resources year-round. Our results corroborate the potential of urban green areas to support biodiversity and contribute to the success of reintroduction projects in cities.

The tree Xylopia decorticans is a rare endemic in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, a global biodiversity hotspot. Described in 2007 from two protected areas, it was originally categorized as Least Concern but as a result of progressive forest conversion and degradation it is now categorized as Endangered in the Brazilian Red List and IUCN Red List. Ecologically, the search for new populations is important because the species provides resources to a range of wildlife in different forest layers, but there have been no demographic studies on which to base conservation action. To address this lack of information, we surveyed a private protected area in south-eastern Brazil where there was a new record of X. decorticans. We located 121 individuals within a minimum convex polygon area of 4.08 ha (density 29.65 individuals/ha), c. 30% of which were juveniles. Mean tree height was 9 m and diameter at breast height ≤ 10 cm. The species is ombrophilous and sensitive to edge effects, as evidenced by desiccation observed in the field. The findings of this study improve our understanding of the ecological characteristics of species within regions afflicted by ongoing forest degradation, and underscores the pivotal role of Reservas Particular do Patrimônio Natural (private natural heritage reserves) in Brazil in the conservation of threatened species such as X. decorticans.

The dhole Cuon alpinus was historically one of the most widespread large carnivores in Asia, but it has declined across its range as a result of habitat loss, hunting and prey depletion. There are few recent confirmed records of the species in Vietnam, and it has been reported as possibly extirpated. Here, we report a new camera-trap record of a dhole in Pu Hoat Nature Reserve, in Nghe An province, north-central Vietnam. To our knowledge, this is the first confirmed record of the dhole in Vietnam in > 20 years. We are unable to determine whether the record represents a vagrant animal or a remnant population. However, this new record should be viewed in the wider context of the species’ decline across Vietnam. During 2014–2024, in addition to our study, 3,231 camera-traps were set in 1,657 stations across 31 sites that would have been within the species’ historical range but the dhole was not recorded. We conclude that, despite this new record, the species is likely extirpated across most protected areas in Vietnam.

One of the major challenges in combatting biodiversity loss concerns range-restricted taxa that are of conservation importance because of their reduced and threatened populations. Astragalus is a genus with many polymorphic species, adapted to arid and semi-arid ecosystems, some of which require urgent conservation attention. Astragalus centralis E. Sheld., endemic to Uzbekistan, is known from a single population in the Tamditau low mountains of the Kyzylkum Desert. Its population is extremely small and continues to decline as a result of threats from limestone extraction, overgrazing, climate change and extreme weather events. Field assessments indicate that this plant is at high risk of extinction, with limited regeneration capacity and ongoing habitat degradation. Using the IUCN Red List criteria, we assess A. centralis as Critically Endangered. Urgent conservation measures are necessary to secure its survival, including habitat protection, conservation translocation, ex situ propagation and regulated grazing, and the ecosystem in which this species occurs should be assessed for the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems. Raising public awareness and securing international recognition for the species are also required. This study highlights the significance of taxonomy in identifying species of conservation priority. The recognition of A. centralis as a unique species has led to it being identified as in urgent need of protection, and reaffirms the importance of taxonomic reassessments in conservation.

Increasing evidence shows that genuine collaboration between scientists and Indigenous Peoples and local communities can deepen global understanding of species’ ecological distribution ranges, baselines and trends. In this study, we explore trends in bird body mass as reflected in the collective biocultural memory of 10 place-based communities on three continents. To do so, we conducted a globally coordinated survey, asking 1,434 adult participants about the most common bird species around their territories both at present and during their childhood. The survey resulted in 6,914 unique bird reports, corresponding to 283 bird species and covering an 80-year period (1940–2020). By combining our ethno-ornithological dataset with scientific data on species’ body mass, we assessed whether the composition of locally abundant bird assemblages has shifted towards smaller-bodied species over time. Our results show a general shift in the bird species observed over the participants’ lifetimes, with recent species assemblages being composed of species with smaller body sizes than those in the past. Despite variation among sites, we find an overall statistically significant body mass reduction of 72% across all sites over 80 years. This work illustrates that the depth of the current avian extinction crisis, which has been well documented by scientists, is also widely acknowledged by Indigenous Peoples and local communities through their deep ecological knowledge and place-based observations. It highlights the substantial benefits of establishing meaningful collaborations across different knowledge systems to increase the evidence basis that underpins biodiversity policy and practice.

The Atrato slider Trachemys medemi is a freshwater turtle endemic to the Atrato River basin in the Urabá region of north-west Colombia. Although there is limited information about the species, it was provisionally categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List by the IUCN Turtle Taxonomy Working Group in 2021 because of its restricted distribution. This study aimed to estimate the potential distribution of T. medemi, identify relevant climatic factors affecting its geographical range and predict its probable future distribution under different climate change scenarios. We recorded its occurrence along the Atrato River and in the surrounding areas, and we employed an ecological niche modelling approach to predict species distribution based on our field data and literature records. Our model indicated that the aquatic distribution of the Atrato slider encompassed the lower, middle and upper Atrato River. This distribution was influenced by air temperature, water temperature and hydrological slope. Our climate change models predicted a dramatic loss of suitable habitat in future, leading to > 50% reduction in T. medemi populations within 30 years. Considering the threat from climate change together with the cultural tradition of harvesting wild turtles for human consumption, we suggest (1) a conservation focus on areas of potential habitat already protected under the National System of Protected Areas in Colombia, (2) empowering local community-based programmes that protect biodiversity, and (3) encouraging reforestation to improve connectivity amongst habitats in the turtle’s geographical range, particularly in degraded areas.

The long-tailed goral Naemorhedus caudatus is a small ungulate that inhabits mountainous regions in eastern Russia, China and Korea. It is highly sensitive to human disturbance and is categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. We present the first distribution map of the long-tailed goral in South Korea and identify habitats critical for enhancing conservation and recovery efforts. We conducted a two-step modelling process, using MaxEnt to identify sites for field surveys, and subsequently draft a distribution map, and then used linear mixed-effects modelling to identify predictors of goral presence. Based on 641 records of the goral, we used MaxEnt to identify 364 of 1,027 10×10 km grid cells as potentially suitable for the species. In field surveys during 2019–2022, we confirmed goral presence at 892 of 1,232 survey sites in 123 of the 364 grid cells, primarily in the north-eastern and central-eastern mountains. There were no detections south of latitude 36°16′N. Using linear mixed-effects models, we examined the contribution of 14 environmental and anthropogenic variables to the prediction of goral presence. Elevation, land-cover type, human footprint, distances to nearest express highway, paved road and national park, and land price were significant predictors of goral presence. In combination, the distribution map and predictive model of goral presence can be used to monitor and protect remaining goral populations.

As part of a project investigating the distribution of the Critically Endangered western long-beaked echidna Zaglossus bruijnii in western New Guinea, we report two new records of this rarely-recorded species in forests around Klalik Village in Sorong Regency on the Vogelkop Peninsula of south-west Papua Province, Indonesia. In the most recent IUCN Red List account, of 2016, the western long-beaked echidna is reported only from this Peninsula. It formerly occurred on the adjacent land-bridge island of Salawati, but is probably extinct there. Previously, we have also confirmed records of the species in Bintuni Bay (Teluk Bintuni Regency). Our new records of the species are the first confirmed sightings in Sorong Regency. We interviewed hunters and conducted spotlighting surveys, during which we observed two live echidnas in October 2023. Interviewees were asked about their knowledge of the western long-beaked echidna and if they had encountered the animal locally. Encouragingly for its conservation, local people believe the species persists across Sorong Regency. This species appears to be relatively inactive in dry weather and more observable after rain. Our findings suggest that the presence of this species in Klalik could provide an incentive for local communities to protect the Klalik forests from snaring for wild animals and to support mammal-watching, including spotlighting of echidnas as an ecotourism-based conservation programme.

The rapid decline of wild populations has resulted in complete extinction of many species. In some cases, this outcome has been avoided through the establishment of ex situ conservation breeding populations. These have the aim of safeguarding the survival of the species and ultimately their reintroduction to the wild. In the case of Partula tree snails, conservation work spanning 4 decades has included ex situ breeding and reintroduction attempts. Most Partula tree snails of French Polynesia are categorized as Extinct on the IUCN Red List as a result of the introduction of invasive predators. Ten species survive only in ex situ conservation breeding centres and reintroduction attempts have been underway since 2015. In 2024, a wild population of Partula tohiveana was located, formed as a result of reintroductions to Moorea Island over the previous decade. This is the first Extinct in the Wild invertebrate species to have been re-established through coordinated, interdisciplinary ex situ and in situ conservation actions.

The Wildlife Atlas of Sabah was recently published, in English and Malay, presenting information for 31 mammal species living in the dipterocarp forests of Sabah in northern Borneo. The data indicate substantial declines over 40 years, including the extirpation of the Sumatran rhinoceros Dicerorhinus sumatrensis in 2019. This followed a wave of widespread and intensive timber extraction, and then a period of oil palm plantation development. Despite these declines, Sabah still holds viable populations of the remaining forest mammal species, with the majority living in logged forests that are regenerating naturally. Safeguarding these populations depends on keeping the deforestation rate at its current low level, to maintain about half of the state as natural forests. Within these forests, current policy is for 30% of Sabah to be Totally Protected Areas, and the remainder to be under sustainable timber production. All forest areas require management to control hunting, especially to protect larger and commercially valuable species. Oil palm plantations support little forest wildlife, but oil palm companies can still support wildlife conservation through restoring wildlife corridors and controlling hunters’ access to adjacent forests. The Sabah government is seeking to integrate forest protection and palm oil production through a jurisdictional approach to certified sustainable agricultural practices.

Myanmar is globally significant for biodiversity conservation but is facing unique challenges as a result of the current political situation, which has led to unsustainable use of natural resources, withdrawal of conservation funds and a governance vacuum that hinders effective conservation. Given these challenges, there is a need to empower local civil society to implement community-led conservation programmes. We report on locally-led surveys of the Critically Endangered white-bellied heron Ardea insignis in northern Myanmar. We recorded the species’ occurrence along rivers and streams across two river catchments in Kachin state during June 2022–December 2023. We sighted white-bellied herons on 25 occasions and we estimate the local population to be 3–5 individuals. Opportunistic hunting using home-made air-pressured guns is a major threat to wildlife in the region and we documented two white-bellied herons shot in the area since 2019. Threats are exacerbated by a lack of wildlife law enforcement as a result of the country’s political unrest. We describe our initial efforts to implement a community-led approach to foster local stewardship in species and habitat management.

Meconopsis florindae Kingdon-Ward, an alpine species endemic to Xizang, China, is extremely scarce and restricted in distribution. Prior to this study, the first and only collection was in 1924. During three targeted field surveys, we rediscovered one small population not far from its type locality but at a significantly higher elevation and occupying a highly specialized ecological niche. Meconopsis florindae is a monocarpic perennial at high risk of extinction and categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List because of its limited population and restricted geographical range. Its survival is threatened by anthropogenic activities including nomadic livestock grazing, disturbance and habitat destruction, and habitat alteration as a consequence of climate change. We recommend comprehensive in situ and ex situ conservation measures to protect this species, including establishing a micro-reserve, implementing practical conservation interventions and long-term monitoring, and collecting seeds and preserving them in the Germplasm Bank of Wild Species to safeguard genetic diversity. Field surveys should be expanded to locate additional populations, and local communities should be engaged to raise awareness and support the conservation of this rare plant.