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, July 30, 2008:

Conservation and Environmental news round-up July 30th 2008 

Latest News Headlines:

Sumatran Orang-utan now in serious decline

Orang-utan numbers are falling rapidly in areas in Sumatra and Borneo due to habitat loss caused by deforestation. The findings come from a 2004 survey of Orang-utan populations coupled with data available for deforestation since the survey and estimate a population of around 6,500 left in Sumatran forest. A new report published in Oryx, the International Journal of Conservation, says Bornean Orang-utan numbers may be around 10% lower than previously documented.
Read more: Sumatran Orang-utan now in serious decline (Telegraph)

Lowland Gorillas taken back to the wild

Three Western Lowland Gorillas hand raised in Kent, have been flown back to Africa to becomse acclimatised to life in the jungle. The Aspinall foundation set up by the late conservationist, John Aspinall, is responsible for raising and re-introducing the Gorillas.
Read more: Gorillas hand-reared in Kent returned to wild in Africa (Telegraph)

Biofuel corporations create new lobby groups

Biofuel companies, under criticism for their environmentally unsound practices and contribution to the rising food prices, have created a lobby group to influence lawmakers and consumers to support subsidies for biofuel production in the United States.
Read more: Facing criticism, biofuels industry forms new lobby group to influence lawmakers (Mongabay.com)

Famous Tortoise; Lonesome George may have finally reproduced

Lonesome George, the last Tortoise of his kind and wildlife conservation icon, may have reproduced with one of the two females he is housed with. Since his rescue from Pinta, an island off the Pacific coast of Ecuador, reproduction efforts have all ended unsuccessfully, however a clutch of eggs laid by a female may be the first steps toward reintroduction of a Tortoise population to the island.
Read more: Lonesome George may finally be a father (Guardian)

 
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