Kathryn Pintus, content officer at ARKive (the website-based initiative of the wildlife charity Wildscreen), takes a look to see which endangered species are on the road to recovery
From saving the world’s most threatened species of sea turtle to bringing unusual amphibians back from the brink of extinction, no conservation challenge is a lost cause if knowledge, dedication and strong partnerships are put into play. This is the important message being championed by ARKive to celebrate our tenth anniversary this year.
ARKive is a web-based initiative of the wildlife charity Wildscreen, and through our extensive collection of wildlife imagery we aim to help spread the conservation message and educate people about the importance of biodiversity. To mark a decade of highlighting conservation issues, we worked closely with the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Specialist Groups to select ten very different species – one for each year of ARKive’s existence – to feature on a specially designed section of our website and act as ambassadors for conservation.
Each of our ten chosen species has the unfortunate distinction of being at risk of extinction, but each one has also been put on the road to recovery and is expected to improve in conservation status over the next ten years thanks to targeted conservation efforts and the dedication of scientific experts. From Juliana’s golden-mole (Neamblysomus julianae), one of Africa’s oldest and most enigmatic mammals, to the Asian white-backed vulture (Gyps bengalensis), a bird which has suffered a 99.9% population decline in just over a decade, this selection of species aims to raise awareness of the myriad threats faced by wildlife, and demonstrates how targeted conservation action can truly make a difference.
While the work of conservationists and scientific experts is a vital component in the fight against species extinctions, ARKive is also keen to highlight the role that members of the general public can play in the future survival of Earth’s incredible biodiversity. By learning more about the natural world around them and understanding its importance, it is hoped that people will be inspired to take action in their daily lives to safeguard our invaluable species and ecosystems. From recycling and limiting plastic usage to making wiser seafood choices and supporting some of the many hundreds of organisations and scientists who devote their lives to conservation, we can all strive towards building a healthier planet.
Find out more about our latest campaign on our new Conservation in Action page.