General Updates from the World Land Trust

General updates and new additions to the website of World Land Trust, an international conservation organisation working to preserve the world's most biologically important and threatened lands.

Read the most recent updates here

Wednesday, May 07, 2008:

Conservation and Environmental news round-up May 7th 2008 

Latest News Headlines

Mangrove trees could have saved lives in Burma

In the wake of the Cyclone which hit Burma this weekend and left untold numbers of people dead, injured and homeless; Association of South-East Asian Nations secretary-general, Surin Pitsuwan, spoke at a high-level conference. He believes that the destruction of the mangrove trees and encroachment by humans into the coastal regions are partly to blame for the death toll.

Read more: Mangrove loss 'left Burma exposed' (BBC News)

Polar bears could stop Arctic drilling plans

Plans to commence drilling for oil in the Arctic could be halted by the conservation status of Polar Bears. Within 10 days the US Government will decide whether or not Polar Bears are an endangered species. Last week, a federal court forced George Bush to make a decision on the bear's classification, which should have been made 18 months ago.

Read more: Bears could halt Shell Arctic plan (Guardian.co.uk)

Global warming threatens tropical insects

Scientists claim that the predicted rise in temperature will seriously affect cold blooded animals, which lack the ability to regulate their own body temperature. They may face extinction as temperatures rise above their natural optimum and they struggle to survive.

Read more: Tropics insects 'face extinction' (BBC news)

Tigers breeding well in Indian reserve

Approximately 14 Tiger cubs have been observed in Ranthambore National Park in western Rajasthan. The cubs are thought to belong to six or seven different mothers, with two more mothers-to-be being monitored for their safety.

Read more: Tiger Cubs ray of hope in India's fight to save tigers (reuters.com)

 
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Read the most general updates from the World Land Trust here