Into the Mist: Kihansi Spray Toads Return Home in Style

Into the Mist: Kihansi Spray Toads Return Home in Style

Kihansi Spray Toads were thought extinct in the wild after new local infrastructure changed their native environment detrimentally. Disease additionally exacerbated the threats that the population faced. CPSG brought together vital organizations and researchers from around the worlkd in this conservation effort, facilitating the creation of a plan to reintroduce the population in Tanzania. In 2010, the first group was brought from Bronx and Toledo zoos to their homeland. Captive-bred toads were continuously released from a newly-created breeding facility. Researchers monitored the population’s and ecosystem’s responses to the conservation efforts. 

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Emergency action to address COVID-19 related threats to the survival of mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP).

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Helping Endangered Cape vultures at Tswapong Hills, Eastern Botswana

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The Stay Trees Project (2024) focused on promoting reforestation and sustainable agroforestry across Luwero, Mbale, Busia, and Kapchorwa districts. Each location established one nursery, enabling the production of 96,423 seedlings, with 73,867 trees planted by 425 farmers, achieving an average 80% survival rate. Through Good Agroforestry Practices (GAP) training, 414 farmers gained skills in tree planting, management, and crop integration for sustainable incomed for the adopting farmers, ultimately ensuring long-term forest cover and environmental restoration. To support tree survival and farmer engagement, top-performing farmers were awarded cash crops like soya beans and groundnuts, providing short-term incomes while maintaining focus on tree preservation. The nurseries ensured quality seedlings, enhancing tree resilience in the field. The project successfully contributed to afforestation, increased forest cover, and environmental sustainability, while fostering improved farmer livelihoods and community participation.

Protecting protected species in the Gola Forest Landscape from the Effect of COVID 19 Pandemic

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Protecting Elephants: Anti-Poaching Efforts in the Tsavo Conservation Area

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Aerial patrols serve as “eyes in the sky,” locating poachers, monitoring wildlife, and providing vital intelligence to ground teams, significantly enhancing their effectiveness. TT rangers are recruited from local communities, enhancing livelihoods and stewardship of natural resources.

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Beyond Boundaries: Kamungi Conservancy's Wildlife-Friendly 10% Fence Plan Approach

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This innovative model prevents crop raiding and livestock predation, enhancing food and property security. Under this plan, 10% of each individual’s land (ranging from 20-150 acres) is fenced with electrified “porcupine fences,” a common mitigation method in Kenya, enabling landowners to grow crops safely. 

The unfenced 90% remains accessible to smaller wildlife such as Dik-diks, impala, Lesser Kudu and benefiaries livestock, preserving migration corridors for elephants between Tsavo West National Park Triangle and Tsavo East National Park. 

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Mozambique faces substantial challenges in balancing development and environmental conservation. To protect biodiversity and address climate change, the country has adopted the ambitious 30×30 goals, safeguarding 30% of its terrestrial and marine ecosystems by 2030. This requires overcoming obstacles like fragmented development efforts, limited coordination, and insufficient data. In response, Mozambique’s Government, supported by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), has launched a campaign to raise awareness and build consensus. This collaboration has produced a forward-looking framework within the National Territorial Development Plan (PNDT 2020-2040), which aims for a “prosperous, competitive, sustainable, safe, and inclusive” country. The PNDT integrates key data on population, climate, and socio-economic factors, emphasising the need for accurate, real-time data for sustainable development. Pilot projects in two areas have proven innovative strategies and offer best practices for wider application.

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In Mozambique, the struggle for sustainable development is closely linked to protecting vital ecosystems like mangroves, which are crucial for coastal livelihoods and climate resilience. Despite their clear importance, challenges such as limited access to long-term funding, lack of public awareness, and poor governance have hindered effective conservation. To address these, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), through Safe Our Mangroves Now! (SOMN), has led a transformative environmental policy approach. In response to global biodiversity and climate goals, Mozambique aims to protect 30% of terrestrial and marine ecosystems by 2030. This goal is part of the National Territorial Development Plan (PNDT) for 2020-2040, which aims for a “prosperous, competitive, sustainable, and inclusive Mozambique.” The PNDT serves as a comprehensive framework and includes critical efforts such as mangrove mapping and the approval of a Mangrove Implementation Strategy, which are essential for preserving these ecosystems.

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