In human-dominated landscapes, the effectiveness of ecological corridors in connecting wildlife populations depends not only on ecological but also on human factors, particularly on human–wildlife interactions and the acceptance of wildlife by landowners or managers. The Tenorio–Miravalles Biological Corridor in Costa Rica offers a unique opportunity to examine the relationship between local acceptance of the presence of the Endangered Baird’s tapir Tapirus bairdii and movement on private lands and the functionality of ecological corridor connectivity, as tapir sightings are common in the area. Using land-use analysis, we identified low-resistance, least-cost routes that highlight key habitat connectivity pathways. The corridor provides high structural connectivity for tapirs, with critical habitat fragments concentrated in the northern and southern sectors. In-depth interviews with 31 landowners and managers revealed varied levels of acceptance of the tapir’s presence, influenced by perceived costs and benefits, control, affective responses and trust in institutions. Although most respondents expressed positive emotions toward tapirs, their interactions and behaviours regarding tapir presence and movement on private land varied. These diverse responses underscore the range of human actions that can either impede or facilitate the movement of tapirs. Regardless of how well-connected habitats are structurally, ecological corridors in human-dominated landscapes ultimately depend on the management of human–wildlife interactions. A nuanced understanding of these dynamics is essential for developing connectivity and conservation strategies that align with the perspectives of landowners and managers, and promote sustainable coexistence between wildlife and people.

In Brazil, apart from anthropogenic pressures linked to agriculture, livestock farming and urban sprawl, conifers are facing habitat loss because of escalating climate change primarily driven by the combustion of fossil fuels. These climatic alterations ultimately disrupt the habitat of this plant group, adversely affecting their distribution and potentially driving them towards extinction. Each species has an optimal range of tolerance to climatic factors established over evolutionary timescales. When tolerance thresholds are exceeded, plants may suffer climatic stress, affecting their growth and inducing morphological and physiological impairments. We aimed to predict the exposure of native Brazilian conifer species to climate change to inform conservation action plans. We coupled occurrence data for species of Podocarpaceae and Araucariaceae, the sole conifer families native to Brazil, with current and future climate data under the optimistic (SSP245) and pessimistic (SSP585) greenhouse gas emission scenarios projected to 2050, outlined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. We selected four bioclimatic variables related to temperature and precipitation to identify potential climatic stresses. Our findings indicate that Brazilian conifers will experience varying levels of stress caused by exposure to climate change, with species having narrow distributions and small populations being more vulnerable. Our study underscores the potential risks and challenges for the conservation of these plants in the face of the threat posed by climate change.

The Ngezi–Vumawimbi Forest Reserve is the largest remaining patch of natural vegetation on Pemba Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania. In 2024, in collaboration with the Department of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture, Zanzibar, we conducted a baseline biodiversity survey of animal and plant communities. Preliminary results reveal previously unrecognized plant diversity, including species likely new to science that are currently under study. We confirmed the presence of endemic and threatened plant species, and recorded populations of species not previously reported on Pemba Island. We also confirmed the presence of a small population of blue duiker Philantomba monticola, currently under threat from poaching. One of the areas richest in plant diversity is designated for development of a new tourist resort. This would replace most of the Vumawimbi evergreen coastal forest, home to a unique forest type in continental Africa dominated by Intsia bijuga.

Assessing extinction risk is important for protecting species, as it is the starting point for conservation efforts. However, in Antarctica, none of the c. 116 species of bryophytes (the main terrestrial plant group) have been assessed. The global Aichi Biodiversity Targets stipulate that countries should have knowledge of the extinction risk of their entire flora. However, the Convention on Biological Diversity does not apply to the area of Antarctic Treaty governance, as Antarctica is not subject to national sovereignty. Recognizing the importance of understanding threats in this remote and ecologically sensitive region, we assessed the extinction risk of the moss Roaldia revoluta (Pylaisiaceae) in Antarctica. As far as we are aware, this is the first extinction risk assessment of a native plant on the Antarctic continent. Additionally, we provide a tool for estimating the number of bryophyte individuals. Our findings indicate R. revoluta should be categorized as Endangered. The species has not been documented in any Antarctic Specially Protected Area, suggesting both weakness in survey effort and a potential gap in conservation action. This study underscores the need for specific measures to mitigate the extinction risk faced by R. revoluta as an exemplar of threats facing Antarctic mosses, and emphasizes the importance of devoting resources to conserving Antarctic flora. This study will encourage further initiatives to investigate the risks facing Antarctic botanical diversity and strengthen support for safeguarding the continent’s biodiversity.

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.

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.

Illegal wildlife trade is a major driver of biodiversity loss, and online platforms are increasingly used to advertise protected wildlife. In Pakistan, raptor trade is increasingly mediated by online marketplaces, reflecting a wider global transition. As a case study, we assessed the online trade in raptors in Pakistan from January 2021 to December 2023 by monitoring groups on the social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and WhatsApp, and local e-commerce websites, using keyword-based searches, with cross-checking to reduce duplication and misidentification. We recorded 310 raptors advertised for sale from 92 seller accounts, representing 24 species across four families. Falconidae comprised 61% of individuals and Accipitridae 37%, with peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus and saker falcon Falco cherrug the most frequently advertised species. A substantial proportion of listings involved species protected under provincial wildlife legislation, as well as species listed under CITES and categorized as threatened on the IUCN Red List. Using a generalized linear model, we found that asking prices were higher for threatened and visitor species. Seller activity was concentrated in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Facebook accounted for the largest share of records, indicating that improved monitoring and enforcement on this platform is a priority. Our findings provide baseline evidence to support demand-reduction outreach, community reporting and capacity building within wildlife agencies, alongside improved online detection tools and updated assessments of raptor population status in Pakistan, particularly for migratory species using the Central Asian Flyway.

Rediscoveries of endemic plant species previously believed lost recalibrate conservation priorities by revealing relict populations and underscore the need for botanical surveys. Since its description in 1927, Ravenea latisecta, a palm species endemic to Madagascar, had been considered lost for nearly a century. Numerous palm collections failed to find wild populations, raising doubts about its existence. During a 2024 botanical survey in the Andasibe region, we rediscovered the species in Vohimana Reserve, Analamazoatra–Mantadia National Park and Vakona Forest private reserve. We recorded a total of 28 individuals within a limited area of c. 50 km2. Our findings suggest a provisional categorization as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. All known individuals are located within protected areas, under various management regimes. Monitoring will be essential to evaluate potential threats, track population dynamics and study the species’ reproductive biology. This rediscovery highlights the critical role of fieldwork in Madagascar, where species believed lost may persist in overlooked forest patches. Our rediscovery shows that conserving even small forest remnants can safeguard species, and has conservation implications: integrated strategies are needed to secure the future of narrowly endemic palm species.

As protected areas increasingly compete with other land uses, their ability to generate economic value through tourism has become central to both public acceptance and long-term sustainability. However, the effects of tourism on wildlife remain understudied, particularly in African protected areas. Mole National Park, Ghana’s largest protected area, is critical for both biodiversity conservation and ecotourism. With plans to expand tourism into its less-visited areas, we assessed the impacts of tourism on medium- to large-sized mammals using multiple metrics. Camera traps were deployed across zones with low, medium and high tourism use, recording 24 mammal species over 6,050 trap-days. Although overall species richness and abundance were similar across zones, certain species showed higher relative abundance in high-use areas (e.g. kob Kobus kob, African buffalo Syncerus caffer) and others were more abundant in low-use areas (e.g. western hartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus major, African savannah elephant Loxodonta africana). The most consistent effect of higher tourism levels was a shift in daily activity patterns towards more nocturnal behaviour, probably in response to human presence. Olive baboons Papio anubis and common warthogs Phacochoerus africanus, however, maintained peak activity around midday. Juvenile presence was highest in low-tourism zones, suggesting possible reproductive sensitivity to disturbance. These behavioural and demographic responses may have longer-term consequences for population dynamics. Our findings raise concerns about the expansion of tourism into currently undisturbed areas, as wildlife is already responding to existing pressure. We recommend designating no-access zones as wildlife breeding areas, implementing buffer zones based on species activity and educating tourists on responsible wildlife viewing. Finally, we highlight the need for broader research on tourism impacts across conservation landscapes in Africa.

Monotypic taxa, often defined by unique evolutionary histories, disjunct distributions, and narrow ecological niches, are of exceptional conservation importance. Here, we document the rediscovery of Indianthus virgatus (Marantaceae), a Critically Endangered monotypic species, in Sri Lanka after 170 years. Endemic to the Western Ghats–Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot, the species was presumed possibly extinct in the wild in Sri Lanka, with the last known collection made by G.H.K. Thwaites in 1855. During targeted surveys conducted over 2 years, we located a wild population of I. virgatus along the Sitawaka Ganga River in a lowland evergreen forest fragment in Sabaragamuwa Province. Morphological analyses confirmed the species’ identity and revealed hitherto undocumented characteristics, including the presence of 1–3 seeds per fruit. This rediscovery after 170 years highlights the importance of targeted field surveys and the urgent need to conserve this Critically Endangered species under the national biodiversity conservation framework.

The leopard Panthera pardus is a widespread felid, distributed throughout Africa, Asia and parts of the Middle East. The survival of the African leopard Panthera pardus pardus is significantly higher within protected areas but numerous factors influence the growth and stability of populations. Monitoring population density and demographics over a long timeframe can help to identify the drivers of change and inform conservation actions. We aimed to determine the drivers of change in leopard populations in a protected area and to identify those factors that encourage leopards to remain within the reserve, so that appropriate conservation management actions can be implemented to improve leopard survival and reduce human–wildlife conflict. We used camera trapping to monitor changes in the leopard population in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, South Africa, in a long-term study during 2013–2022. We applied spatially explicit capture–recapture models to the camera-trap data to determine annual population density and sex ratio. We estimated that leopard density declined from six to four individuals per 100 km2 over the study decade. The sex ratio was heavily female-biased during the first years of the study but was male-biased by 2022 (male : female ratio of 0.64 : 0.36). Individual leopards remained in the Park for 2.45 years on average and annual turnover was high. The abundance of other predators and the level of conflict with people affected leopard density and their duration of residency in the Park, and annual rainfall also had an effect. Instability within leopard populations affects population growth and is linked to a range of factors such as prey availability, habitat fragmentation and persecution. However, immigration of males from other populations should increase genetic diversity and improve breeding success. Understanding the drivers of leopard population dynamics, and the factors that cause them to remain inside protected areas, can help with the design and implementation of appropriate conservation management actions to lower individual turnover and limit human–wildlife conflict.

Roads are essential for social and economic development, but their presence often leads to deforestation, habitat loss, changes in wildlife behaviour and distribution, and loss through collisions with vehicles. In southern Bahia state in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest hotspot, cocoa agroforestry systems are vital in connecting natural fragments and supporting local biodiversity. This study assessed the impacts of a 24 km segment of the BA-262 road, a route linked to the construction of a new port. During May–December 2022, we recorded vertebrate roadkill events and analysed their relationship with traffic volume, identifying high-risk zones. Camera traps and live traps were deployed in forest fragments to evaluate mammal presence near and along the road, comparing species detected near the road with those recorded as roadkill. In total, we documented 243 roadkill events, with amphibians being the group most affected (153 individuals, 63% of the total recorded), followed by reptiles (49, 20%), birds (28, 12%) and mammals (13, 5%). Hotspot analyses revealed nine roadkill clusters. Camera traps along the road recorded 409 images of 21 mammal species from eight orders. Although species richness was unaffected by proximity to the road, relative abundance increased closer to the road. Mammals appeared less affected by the road than other groups, probably because they are mostly active at night, when traffic is lower. This research highlights the ecological impacts of roads on biodiversity-rich areas, underscoring the need for mitigation measures to reduce wildlife mortality and offering insights for future research.

Plantago fengdouensis, a species endemic to China’s Yangtze River Basin, was once presumed extinct in the wild as a result of the complete inundation of its native habitats following the construction of the Three Gorges Dam. Historically documented only on two riverine islets in Fengdu and Zhongxian counties of Chongqing, the species was last observed in 2003 before its habitats were permanently submerged, leading to its designation as the first documented herbaceous plant driven to extinction by the dam project. However, in 2023 a previously unknown population of > 200 individuals was discovered in Jiang’an County, Sichuan Province, representing the largest known wild population to date. From January to May 2023, 273 seeds were collected and conservation research was conducted in the botanical greenhouse of Yibin University. The key to the germination of P. fengdouensis seeds lies in the harvest period. Seeds with light brown seed coats that are not fully mature have the highest germination vitality. Through systematic germination trials, optimal conditions were identified as 24 h pretreatment with 1.0% gibberellin under 28 ℃ and 1,500 Lux illumination, achieving an 87.5% germination rate. During May–November 2024, nursery-grown seedlings were transplanted near the wild population, with an initial 89% establishment success and 98.5% survival after 12 months. These results suggest that P. fengdouensis populations can be effectively restored in situ through seed-based propagation, offering a model for conserving other threatened floodplain species.

Land snails of the genus Poecilozonites, endemic to Bermuda, have undergone precipitous declines, and both extant species, P. bermudensis and P. circumfirmatus, are categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Here we report on recovery efforts to reintroduce P. bermudensis derived from a remnant wild population and ex situ breeding programme to within the species’ indigenous range. Follow-up monitoring of initial reintroductions on the small Nonsuch Island carried out over 7 years revealed that the snails rapidly established a self-sustaining population at one of three release sites. By 2023, the snails, released in 2016, had increased their area of occupancy to 6,849 m2, moved up to 92 m from the release site, and reached an estimated mean density of up to 44.2 adult snails/m2. Across the archipelago, we released 105,970 P. bermudensis (adults and juveniles) to 11 offshore islands and 16 main island sites from 2019 to 2022. Based on persistence, reproduction, and expansion from the release site after at least 1 year from release, reintroductions to six offshore islands were successful, but those on the main island failed, possibly because of higher predation pressure and paucity of suitable refuges. Controlling predators, such as rodents, and safeguarding these offshore islands against predator incursion is essential to ensure continued survival of the reintroduced populations.

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.

The domestic cat Felis catus is a predator, variously regarded as a pet, pest or pest controller, making its management ecologically and socially complex. On islands, wildlife predation by cats is a major conservation concern. Knowledge of the ecology of free-roaming cats is essential for identifying the variables that influence their predatory behaviour, for regulating their populations and for controlling their negative effects. We assessed the seasonal diet of free-roaming cats, including the importance of anthropogenic foods, using stable isotope analysis, on Linosa. This small Mediterranean island is home to the largest Scopoli’s shearwater Calonectris diomedea colony in Europe and an important stop-over site for migratory passerines. We also compared the diet of neutered and unneutered cats, to investigate whether differences in husbandry practices influence consumption of wild prey. Cat diets mainly comprised anthropogenic foods during summer and autumn. Consumption of Scopoli’s shearwaters increased during the early chick-rearing period and shifted towards passerines during the autumn migration. Invasive mammals in cat diets were primarily European rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus. Unneutered cats consumed more shearwaters and passerines than neutered cats. Neutered individuals relied more heavily on pet foods rather than pasta, possibly indicating improved husbandry conditions. Overall, anthropogenic foods likely support the high cat densities observed on Linosa, and wild prey consumption, primarily by unneutered cats, fluctuated according to availability. Free-roaming cats are protected by Italian Law 280/91, and their populations can be managed only with non-lethal methods. Enhanced cat husbandry and compulsory reproductive control via neutering combined with adoptions could significantly reduce consumption of wild prey.

The Asiatic wild ass, or khulan, Equus hemionus, is native to the arid landscapes of Central and East Asia. Although the Mongolian Gobi supports the largest population, the species remains threatened by habitat fragmentation, competition with livestock, illegal hunting and climate change. Historically, the khulan ranged widely across Mongolia, including the Eastern Steppe. However, the construction of the fenced Trans-Mongolian Railway in the mid 20th century created a near-continuous barrier to movement, leading to the species’ local extinction east of the railway. In 2019, a pilot conservation initiative removed sections of the fence and documented the first confirmed crossing of the Trans-Mongolian Railway by a khulan in over 6 decades. To assess the current status of khulan east of the railway, we combined GPS data from 29 collared individuals in the South Gobi with distance sampling and opportunistic field surveys. We recorded two confirmed crossings near the Zamiin–Uud border during the winters of 2023 and 2024. Additionally, during field surveys in 2024 we observed 384 khulan in four groups east of the railway. These findings provide the first confirmed evidence of khulan recolonization within their historical range and establish a baseline for future conservation efforts. Strategic investments in wildlife-friendly crossings and habitat restoration east of the Trans-Mongolian Railway are critical to support further recolonization, enhance connectivity and reduce pressure on core populations in the South Gobi.

Population estimates of abundance and density are key metrics to evaluate the conservation status of wild felids and inform conservation actions. Individual identification of wild felids with camera traps has been carried out mostly for large and conspicuous species. Small, subtly marked species have received significantly less research attention. One such species is the güiña Leopardus guigna, the smallest wild cat of the Neotropics. The species is categorized as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, but some subpopulations are threatened. To our knowledge, there have been no studies to estimate güiña population density or abundance from individual identification. Commonly, camera traps are set up horizontally, to face the flanks of a passing animal, with one or more cameras per site for individual identification. However, in güiñas the dorsal zone has more notable and highly individual variation in spotted markings than the flanks. To identify güiña individuals in the temperate rainforest of Chilean Patagonia based on their dorsal markings, we carried out a camera-trap survey with zenith orientation (i.e. cameras oriented vertically, facing downwards). During 12,784 trap-days, we captured 1,386 photographs of güiñas in 586 independent events. We successfully identified 12 individuals. Our results show that zenith camera-trap placement can facilitate individual identification of subtly marked species such as the güiña. We provide recommendations for zenith installation of camera traps and for the identification process. We discuss the potential application of this method for population density estimates of güiñas and other small wild cat species with similar dorsal markings.

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.