New protections for 40 migratory species as extinction risks rise globally
Forty migratory species now have stronger protections under new conservation measures. The move comes as experts warn that one in four of these animals faces extinction. Governments and conservation groups have agreed on fresh steps to reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.
The latest safeguards include species like the great hammerhead shark, the striped hyena, the snowy owl, and the giant otter. Indigenous knowledge has also been formally recognised as vital for protecting these animals in their natural habitats. Brazil has taken a leading role in expanding protected zones. The country's Environment Ministry recently established two new reserves in the Pantanal, covering 104,000 hectares. This wetland, the world's largest freshwater system, has endured severe wildfires from 2020 to 2024.
The ministry is also pushing for more privately protected areas in the region. Another key development is the creation of Albardão National Park, a refuge for the critically endangered tucuxi dolphin. Discussions are ongoing about setting up additional national parks and cross-border ecological corridors to help species move safely between habitats.
The Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in 2022, sets a target to halt and reverse nature loss within this decade. Habitat destruction and overexploitation remain the biggest threats, affecting over 70% of migratory species. Authorities have not yet detailed how many of the newly protected animals were specifically at risk from these pressures. The new protections cover a range of species, from sharks to birds and mammals. Brazil's expansion of reserves in the fire-hit Pantanal aims to restore critical habitats. Meanwhile, global efforts continue to integrate traditional knowledge and scientific research into conservation strategies. These measures form part of a wider plan to secure the survival of migratory animals by the end of the decade.
