The Maremmano dog breed is used as a sheepdog in Italy, including during traditional annual transhumance in the Apennines. The dogs live with the flocks they guard, and are valued for their independence and loyalty. These traits predisposed them for a new role as conservation assistant in Argentina, where the Maremmano breed has been repurposed as a guardian for sheep flocks in areas subject to predation by the puma Puma concolor. As in Italy, a dog lives and moves with its flock. Although evidence elsewhere (e.g. Rigg et al., Reference Rigg, Finďo, Wechselberger, Gorman, Sillero-Zubiri and Macdonald2011) has shown that the use of guarding dogs reduces predation on flocks, camera-trap monitoring has now provided tantalizing evidence that pumas may avoid the guarding dog, and thus the sheep that it lives with, consequently reducing conflicts between ranchers and the puma (Rinaldi García et al., Reference Rinaldi García, Martínez, Caruso, Casanave, Luengos Vidal and Lucherini2026). As the human population increases and wild spaces dwindle, the so-called wicked problem of human–wildlife conflict preoccupies conservationists, farmers and pastoralists alike (Sillero-Zubiri et al., Reference Sillero-Zubiri, Ardiantiono, Caruso, Chen, Christidi and Eshete2023), and has done so both down the ages and through the pages of this journal (Fisher, Reference Fisher2016). This use of a sheep guarding dog is an ancient, non-lethal tool reimagined in the modern age for reduction of human–wildlife conflict.

For María Lina Rinaldi García, the principal author of this article on the use of the Maremmano guarding dog, this is her first article published in a peer-reviewed research journal. This milestone has become something of a rite of passage for early-career researchers. It demonstrates they can analyse, discuss and summarize their research findings, all under the spotlight of peer review and an international readership. Given the emphasis placed upon publication in peer-reviewed journals for the advancement of careers, this article will support not only the use of guarding dogs for alleviating human–wildlife conflict, but the author herself. As of 27 May, María Lina’s article has been read online or downloaded c. 600 times since its publication 2 months previously.

In the Oryx editorial team, we believe our remit in conservation extends beyond the handling, peer review and publication of authors’ submissions to the journal. The additional support we provide to our authors includes writing workshops for early-career conservationists and a Writing for Conservation guide (Fisher, Reference Fisher2019). To broaden further our support for early-career conservationists, in late 2024 we put out a call for submissions from first-time authors (i.e. for their first article as principal author), with a promise to guide them, where required, through manuscript preparation, peer review and publication. We touched upon a need, with c. 80 submissions received. In this issue of Oryx, we present the first 12 articles from this initiative. In all, we will be publishing more than 30 articles by first-time authors; further articles will appear in subsequent issues.

The research covered by our 12 principal authors—working in a total of 10 countries—is a microcosm of the range of concerns and interests of contemporary conservation, along with some topics less commonly touched upon. Overall, along with novel analyses and considered recommendations, the research of this group of early-career conservationists offers a generally optimistic overview of progress. Lawrence (Reference Lawrence2026) shows how conservationists deal with more than reason, examining the roles of emotion in conservation decision-making processes and how these roles need to be recognized and nurtured, both for the well-being of individuals and for conservation. The challenges of reintroduction are examined in the monitoring of reintroduced lowland tapirs Tapirus terrestris (Agles et al., Reference Agles, Macedo and Galliez2026) and through assessment of the importance of urban green space for a successful reintroduction of the Ariel toucan Ramphastos ariel (Zagury et al., Reference Zagury, Neves, Lins de Mello Franco, Sartori, Pires and Rajão2026). The additional challenges that armed conflict brings to conservation are never far from our minds, and Houehounha et al. (Reference Houehounha, Vermeulen, Akpona, Lhoest, Tobada, Laly and Hugé2026) examine the drivers of insecurity as a result of the incursion of armed groups into the transboundary W–Arly–Pendjari Complex of Benin, Niger and Burkina Faso.

In an experimental examination of live animal programming in a zoo, Palmer et al. (Reference Palmer, Acker and Young2026) find programmes that allow children to touch animals may not be the most effective way to inspire conservation intent and, for younger children, may promote the desire to own exotic pets. Zoos may need to consider both matters in planning such programmes. With the global abundance of oceanic sharks and rays declining and nearly one-third of shark species threatened, work is required to address the drivers of non-compliance with bans on shark finning and harvesting of certain species: Gule Godage et al. (Reference Gule Godage, Collins, Dissanayake, Budhawaththa, de Vos, Fairoz and Nuno2026) find that the economic importance of sharks, reluctance to discard them if caught, lack of awareness of regulations and perceived corruption amongst management authorities all drive non-compliance.

Research on the biogeography, ecology, status and protection of threatened species remains a central conservation concern. Khatiwada et al. (Reference Khatiwada, Kunkel, Wright, Acharya, Aung and Bhumpakphan2025) look at the global distribution of the Endangered dhole Cuon alpinus, to identify areas where conservation needs to focus. To support the return of the Endangered tiger Panthera tigris to Kawal Tiger Reserve—as yet without tigers—Siddiqui et al. (Reference Siddiqui, Basu, Bandyopadhyay, Koprowski and Angandhula2026) assess prey availability to estimate potential carrying capacity and identify management interventions to enhance habitat suitability for this keystone species. Rosa et al. (Reference Rosa, Antas, Freitas, Nic Lughadha, Fuller and Lira2026) document the distribution of a lineage of the Endangered brazilwood Paubrasilia echinata in forest fragments of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and recommend conservation actions in priority fragments. The population of the Critically Endangered Townsend’s shearwater Puffinus auricularis, which breeds only on the Revillagigedo Archipelago of Mexico, was last estimated nearly 20 years ago. Following conservation initiatives in the Archipelago, Solís-Carlos et al. (Reference Solís-Carlos, Ortiz-Alcaraz, Aguirre-Muñoz, Bedolla-Guzmán, Fabila-Blanco and Aztorga-Ornelas2026) estimate the current breeding population to be c. 200 pairs and document the return of a small breeding population to Clarión Island after a 30-year absence. For the endemic, Endangered orchid Cattleya quadricolor in tropical dry forest of the upper Cauca River valley in south-west Colombia, Torres et al. (Reference Torres Torres, Torres Gonzalez, Flanagan and Ospina-Calderón2026) use demographic models to recommend conservation priorities tailored to individual sites.

Becoming a conservationist—a profession that for many is a passion and vocation rather than simply employment—requires the mastery of a range of skills: project administration, field research, data analysis, technical competence and, of course, writing. These skills are all on display in these 12 articles, and it has taken but a little encouragement and support to see them through to publication. Oryx is proud to shepherd and promote these first-time authors through this milestone of scientific inquiry and communication.

We thank Julia Hochbach for her critique.