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.

We present a new camera-trap record of the Critically Endangered Chinese pangolin Manis pentadactyla in Vietnam, from a survey during January–November 2022 in Kon Ka Kinh National Park, Gia Lai Province. This record is c. 950 km south of the only other previous camera-trap records of the species in Vietnam. We obtained three camera-trap images of an individual M. pentadactyla at 1,600 m altitude, highlighting the potential importance of this Park for M. pentadactyla in Vietnam. We confirmed the identification through expert consultation and morphological analysis. This record suggests that the range of M. pentadactyla extends into central Vietnam. Further research and conservation efforts in Kon Ka Kinh National Park are required, to safeguard this enigmatic species and its habitat.

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.

Mountain ungulates play an important role in ecosystems as primary consumers and as prey for rare predators. Monitoring their populations is therefore critical for conservation efforts. Within the 12 countries comprising the range of the snow leopard Panthera uncia, camera traps are routinely deployed to estimate numbers of this apex predator, providing an opportunity to also estimate numbers of their prey using bycatch data. However, the relative accuracy of the resulting prey density estimates compared to field surveys targeted specifically at prey species was unknown. We compared the performance of distance sampling based on camera-trap data with field surveys to estimate population densities of bharal Pseudois nayaur. We assessed estimates of bharal numbers from cameras placed to detect snow leopards (where ungulate captures presented bycatch data) against estimates from cameras placed specifically to detect bharal and then compared both with an independent estimate of bharal density from double-observer surveys and a total count of all bharal in the study area. The double-observer field surveys suggested a density of 1.94 bharal/km2, which was similar to the density derived from the total count (1.92 bharal/km2). By comparison, we estimated density to be 2.11 bharal/km2 from camera-based distance sampling and 0.35 bharal/km2 from cameras placed to detect snow leopards (bycatch data). The density estimate from the ungulate bycatch data was significantly lower than that from the double-observer field survey and from the total count. It was also less precise, more costly and more time-consuming to obtain. Our results caution against using bycatch data from surveys designed for predators to estimate ungulate prey densities and indicate that tailored survey methods are required.

The bush dog Speothos venaticus, a short-legged, medium-sized Neotropical canid, remains elusive despite its wide geographical range. We present the first documented occurrence of this species within Rio Doce State Park, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. This Park is a unique, well-preserved area with a diverse array of mammal species, a rarity in the fragmented Atlantic Forest. We recorded the bush dog after 7,744 camera-trap days near Lagoa dos Patos, one of the Park’s lakes. This new record is a significant range extension for the species within the Atlantic Forest of Minas Gerais state, as the nearest known record is c. 420 km to the south. The new record is the northernmost documented occurrence of the bush dog in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. This finding is a significant addition to the Park’s mammalian carnivore community, and underscores its importance as high-quality habitat for rare species such as the bush dog, and its value for scientific research and biodiversity conservation.