Wildlife Wins from 2020, and why there is hope for nature in 2021

by Sophie Bell

As we go further into the new year with more of the same restrictions that we hoped to leave behind in 2020, the importance of acknowledging the positive events from the past year seems more necessary than ever. 

Here are a few pieces of good news concerning the environment to put a smile on your face from 2020…

[image courtesy of Sophie Bell] 

‘Lost’ chameleon species seen for the first time in 100 years

The Voeltzkow’s Chameleon (Furcifer voeltzkowi), is a species so elusive, it is featured on the Global Wildlife Conservation’s “25 Most Wanted Lost Species” list. A team of researchers in northwestern Madagascar found 3 males and 15 females of the species in - of all places - a hotel garden. They are yet to be officially evaluated by the IUCN, but are believed to qualify as an endangered species. 

Phillipine eagle breeding success 

The Phillipine eagle (Pithecopaga jefferyi) is critically endangered, and one of the rarest raptors in the world. However despite the pandemic, 2020 was a positive year for the species, with two new families being spotted despite the birds being slow to reproduce. These sightings indicate that the forests where they reside are still rich in prey items. Unless these nests are destroyed by humans, generations of eagle pairs will occupy the same nests over and over again - making these areas of reproduction very important to conserve in order to save the species from extinction. 

Rare breed of wild dog thought to be extinct in the wild rediscovered 

The New Guinea singing dog (Canis hallstromi) is known for its unique vocalisation - said to allude to both a wolf’s howl and whale song. These dogs exist in zoos and as exotic pets, however there hasn’t been a confirmed sighting in the wild since the 1970s. Recent research into the DNA of another canine - the highland wild dog highlighted their almost identical genetic profiles to the New Guinea singing dogs. If these dogs could be bred, this could widen the gene pool for the inbred singing dogs and do wonders for their future as a species. 

A third of adults in the UK claim to be more interested in nature since COVID-19

In a recent survey by the National Trust, a third of adults say they have become more interested in nature since the first lockdown began in March 2020. There has also been a significant number of adults that claim they will continue the habit of spending more time in nature once the world recovers. A rise in interest in nature is obviously a wonderful thing, and positive for the future of conservation, as if more people have a connection to it - more will likely be done to protect it.

[image courtesy of Sophie Bell] 

Gorilla baby boom in Uganda 

Three times the amount of mountain gorilla babies were born in 2020 than the previous year in Rwanda and Uganda. In 2018, increasing populations saw their status change from Critically Endangered to Endangered. Usually only one or two births a year are recorded, so an increase in breeding success last year is great news for this endangered species. 

Tasmanian devils return to mainland Australia 

Tasmanian devils died out on mainland Australia over 3000 years ago after the arrival of dingoes and have since been restricted to the island of Tasmania. A total of 26 devils have now been reintroduced, thanks to Aussie Ark, a program that has bred them and brought them up using methods which encourage natural behaviours. This reintroduction could save the species from extinction, as well as helping to control populations of feral cats and foxes which prey on other endangered species. 

New artificial intelligence technology could decrease human-wildlife conflict 

In both Africa and Asia, where wild elephants reside nearby local villages, human-wildlife conflict is a huge conservation issue. Lives from both parties are lost too often, due to elephants moving closer to civilization and raiding crop fields. Many farmers will stay up all night protecting their land, but new technology could do that for them. A new system called WildEyes AI can identify what it sees instantaneously without an internet connection - therefore could act as an early warning system for elephants, predators or even poachers. This system could dramatically decrease conflict if successful, giving farmers time to respond more humanely with deterrents. This could also make a huge difference in anti-poaching - if a ranger is caught off guard with a threat, they are less likely to survive the conflict. This system could mean that rangers would not have to patrol 24/7, and could be alerted when a poacher enters a reserve.

[image courtesy of Sophie Bell] 

New hope for the most endangered turtle in the world 

The last known male Swinhoe’s softshell turtle (Rafetus swinhoei), resides at a zoo in China. The species has been driven to the brink of extinction through destruction of habitat and hunting for its meat and eggs. A female of this species has been discovered in a lake in Vietnam, giving hope to the survival of the species.

Whilst reflecting on some of the good to come out of this whirlwind of a year, I would also like to stress the importance of looking forward in hope for the year to come. 

Already, just a few weeks in...

Great Green Wall initiative receives $14 billion in funding 

Launched in 2007, this African-led initiative aims to restore Africa’s degraded landscapes as well as create millions of jobs in some of the poorest areas in the continent. Not only will this be a new natural wonder of the world spanning 8000km, it will also grow food security, climate resilience and fertile land for those that live along it. This new funding will substantially contribute to the goals of the initiative, which aim to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land by the year 2030.

[image courtesy of Sophie Bell] 

Northern rhino embryos have been created

This functionally extinct species only has two females remaining in existence, however scientists have managed to create embryos from their harvested eggs and sperm cells from their deceased male counterparts. This is a huge success for the species, with the next step being to transfer the embryos into a surrogate southern white rhino, in hopes that eventually, a Northern white calf will be born.

With more people than ever interested in conserving nature and becoming more sustainable, hopefully we are in for a good year. 

Keep your head up everyone! 

Sophie is a graduate conservationist, passionate about raising awareness through her writing and photography. She has a particular love for African wildlife, which you can find out more about on her Instagram, or connect with her on LinkedIn.