Briefly 687 AMERICAS
Near-extinct Caribbean reptile makes comeback The population of the Sombrero ground liz- ard Pholidoscelis corvinus has increased from ,100 individuals in 2018 to .1,600 in 2024. The Critically Endangered reptile was on the brink of extinction before conser- vationists stepped in to help the species in 2021. Since then, experts from the Anguilla National Trust, Fauna & Flora and Re:wild have been working to help the species and its island habitat to recover. The lizard is en- demic to Sombrero, a 38 ha island situated 54 km from Anguilla. Although small, this Caribbean island is a globally important area for biodiversity and forms the heart of the Sombrero IslandMarineReserve. Several other extremely rare species are unique to the island, which also supports large seabird colonies and is designated as an Important BirdArea and a Ramsar Site. Because of his- toricalmining for phosphates, invasivemice and severe hurricanes, the Island was on the verge of ecological collapse. Conservation efforts have focused on removing the inva- sive rodents and planting native species. Sources: Re:wild (2024)
rewild.org/press/ near-extinct-caribbean-reptile-makes-epic- comeback2
Underwater mountain hosts numerous new species Scientists discovered a new underwater mountain off the coast of Chile, and more than 100 potentially new-to-science species, during expeditions in the south-eastern Pacific, including rare creatures such as a si- phonophore (a jellyfish relative) called the flying spaghetti monster and a not yet for- mally described mollusc known informally as Casper octopus. The seamount, located c. 1,450 km off the coast of Chile, rises 3,100mfromthe seafloor and hosts thriving deep-sea ecosystems with ancient corals and glass sponges. Researchers created de- tailed 3D maps of the seafloor topography using their ship’s advanced multibeam sonar system before conducting exploratory dives on one of the mountain ridges using a remotely operated underwater vehicle. In addition to mapping and visual surveys, the teams collected samples of plants and animals for analysis. These findings high- light the rich biodiversity of the high seas at a crucial time as the UN finalizes the high seas treaty to protect international waters. Source: Mongabay (2024)
news.mongabay. com/2024/10/in-the-pacific-depths-an- underwater-mountain-hosts-a-bonanza- of-new-species
Deadly parasite turns jaguar conservation into a human health priority Analysisof jaguardroppingsinBrazil’sPanta- nal wetlands have uncovered the presence of Spirometratapeworms,aparasitewithsignifi- cant ecological andpublichealthimplications that can be dangerous to people in its larval form. Pantanal ranchers typically see jaguars as pests because they prey on livestock; how- ever, conservationists aim to use this new finding to reframe these big cats as allies in ecological balance, as they control parasite- carrying prey and serve as vital bioindicators of the biome’s health. The underreporting of parasitical infections in humans caused by Spirometra reveals a gap in public health awareness in Brazil, making the discovery of the parasite in jaguars a key breakthrough toward protecting communities. Educational workshops and practical measures such as electric fencing have significantly reduced jaguar–livestock conflicts while improving community practices and promoting co- existence between humans and the big cats. Source: Mongabay (2024)
news.mongabay. com/2024/12/a-deadly-parasite-turns-jaguar- conservation-into-a-human-health-priority
Salmon return to the Klamath River after 100 years After being absent for more than a century, salmon have been spotted in Oregon’s Klamath River Basin, following a dam re- moval project in California, USA. In October 2024, fish biologists at Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife identified an autumn-run Chinook salmon in a tribu- tary to the Klamath River, upstream from where the John C. Boyle Dam once stood. It is the first anadromous fish (species that migrate from the sea upstream to spawn) to be seen in the state’s Klamath Basin since 1912, when the first of four hydroelectric dams was constructed. In August, the last dams were demolished. This followed a lengthy campaign by tribal communities, who hoped the dam removal would lead to the return of salmon, a vital source of food for the people living alongside the Klamath River. The headwaters of the Klamath River originate in Oregon, flowing through the Cascade Mountain Range into Northern California, and emptying into the Pacific Ocean. With a length of 423 km, the river was once the third-largest salmon- producing river on the West Coast, and was a life force for numerous Native American tribes, such as the Yuroks, who are known as the ‘salmon people’. Source: BBC (2024)
bbc.com/future/article/ 20241122-salmon-return-to-californias- klamath-river-after-dam-removal
Cape Cod seeing more whale, turtle and dolphin strandings Dolphins, whales, seals and turtles are turn- ing up in large numbers on the beaches of the famous Cape Cod peninsula, requiring more rescue operations than ever before. The cause is change in tidal patterns, with more extreme differences between high and low tide. On Cape Cod, this difference can be 3–4 m, which can be fatal to a dol- phin if it becomes stuck on land. More than 140 dolphins were stranded off Cape Cod back in June 2024 in the largest mass stranding of the mammals in USA history. Seven individuals were euthanized and 37 died naturally, but .100 survived, accord- ing to the International Fund for Animal Welfare. Turtles are also being affected, becoming cold-stunned when they are exposed to rapidly cooling waters, which often causes them to become weak and prone to health problems. Many of the tur- tles facing this problem in Cape Cod are Kemp’s ridley sea turtles Lepidochelys kem- pii, the smallest sea turtle species, which is Critically Endangered globally. Source: The Guardian (2024) theguardian. com/us-news/2024/dec/28/cape-cod-whale- turtle-dolphin-strandings
Extinct in the Wild Hawaiian crow released on Maui Five Hawaiian crows, known as ʻalalā in the Hawaiian language, have been released on the island of Maui. Thirty of the birds were reintroduced to their native Big Island dur- ing 2016–2020, but after some successful years, numbers began to decline and re- introduction efforts were paused. The re- maining ʻalalā were returned to human care. This new effort is the first release of the crow on Maui and the first reintroduc- tion attempt outside of the Big Island. Three male and two female juveniles were selected for the release in Maui, as young birds are less territorial than adults and may there- fore show more group cohesion and team- work, learning from one another as a result. The crows hopped out of their cages on the leeward slopes ofHaleakalā,in the Kīpahulu Forest Reserve onMaui. These particular in- dividualswere selected for their highly devel- oped social and behavioral skills that may mean they are more likely to succeed in the wild at foraging, predator avoidance and pair bonding. The field team will continue to monitor the birds into the foreseeable future, supplementing their food and keeping an eye on their health and well-being. Source: Good News Network (2024)
goodnewsnetwork.org/hawaiian-crow- that-went-extinct-in-the-wild-decades- ago-released-on-maui
Oryx, 2024, 58(6), 683–688 © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Fauna & Flora International doi:10.1017/S0030605325000195
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