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Raising youth awareness on in situ conservation is key for nurturing future environmental stewards. Teaching them about protecting species in their natural habitats empowers them to grasp the link between ecosystems, biodiversity, and human welfare.
This realisation sparked a collaborative journey with Repton school Dubai to create a unique podcast with one aim; to let the youth narrate our conservation stories in their language, filled with passion and emotion aimed at inspiring their peers.
May 28, 2025
We often hear about the amazing world of animals on our Conservation Calls podcast, but let’s not forget that plants have some pretty cool stories too… Take the critically endangered wildflower, Gasteranthus extinctus, for example, which is only found in the Centinela...April 28, 2025
There’s nothing quite like rediscovering a species thought to be lost forever, especially one that faced a deadly fungus! Enter Atelopus mindoensis, a.k.a. the Mindo Harlequin Toad. Meet Tyrone, the incredible sole survivor (or is he…?) of the Mindo...March 26, 2025
In this episode, we meet Dr. Iva Njunjic, a cave biologist who has explored over 300 caves across Europe and Asia, where she’s discovered species new to science! And don’t worry, cave animals are small and not scary at all. ...February 26, 2025
The Kangaroo rat has a unique appearance, with its distinctive hind legs significantly longer than its front, giving it a resemblance to a kangaroo. However, its tale of survival is even more remarkable. Once thought to be extinct for 30...January 29, 2025
This month, we learn of an incredible tale of a petrel in Bermuda, which was thought to be extinct for over 300 years! Thanks to Nonsuch Expeditions, along with the support of the MBZ Fund and Dolphin Energy, JP Rouja...December 18, 2024
This episode of Conservation Calls is especially meaningful! It celebrates 15 years of species conservation, featuring some words of wisdom from our amazing grant recipients. The highlight of the podcast is a powerful poem titled “If the Fund Had a...November 11, 2024
This episode focuses on the important story of owl conservation in the stunning Wadi Wurayah National Park in Fujairah, featuring the elusive and extremely rare Omani Owl as the star. Join Park Ranger Sami Majeed and our Repton podcast...September 26, 2024
This episode of MBZ’s Conservation Calls is roaring with excitement as we explore how Panthera and project partner Sintas Indonesia are mitigating human-wild cat conflict in the Leuser Ecosystem. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a vast area where humans...August 26, 2024
In this episode, we’re diving into the awesome world of the Western Leopard Toad! Nature Connect in South Africa has come up with a brilliant plan to protect this fascinating and endangered species. Get ready to uncover all the exciting...July 24, 2024
Get ready for an epic podcast adventure filled with intrigue and a hint of enigma! This time, we're diving into the world of the rare and elusive - the African manatees. Join us as we uncover the unique collaboration between...June 27, 2024
This episode features an incredible story of how Asociación Armonía is working to protect the critically endangered Red-fronted Macaws in Bolivia. With only 1,200 individuals left, they are implementing various initiatives like safeguarding breeding cliffs, adding nesting boxes, and restoring...June 3, 2024
This episode dives into the incredible journey of an MBZF-supported project. The National Tropical Botanical Garden are using cutting-edge technology, to rediscover plants once thought extinct in the most remote and hard-to-reach places on the Island of Hawaii. It’s a...April 5, 2024
Raising youth awareness on in situ conservation is key for nurturing future environmental stewards. Teaching them about protecting species in their natural habitats empowers them to grasp the link between ecosystems, biodiversity, and human welfare. This realisation sparked a collaborative...
The Uganda Clawed Frog (Xenopus ruwenzoriensis) is a rare amphibian endemic to the Albertine Rift, threatened by climate change and habitat loss. Classified as Data Deficient by the IUCN, it hadn’t been recorded in Semuliki National Park and Rwenzori Mountains National Park for over two decades, raising concerns about its survival.
Thanks to support from the MBZ Fund, Stephen Ssemwaka and his team set out to rediscover this elusive species and raise awareness about amphibian conservation in local communities. The grant provided essential equipment for amphibian surveys, including minnow traps and dip nets, as well as critical logistical support from Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers and local guides.
Apart from confirming the presence of Xenopus ruwenzoriensis in Semuliki National Park, they also engaged local communities, gathered valuable knowledge, and conducted sessions to promote amphibian and wetland conservation.
#MBZFund #conservation, #endangeredspecies #biodiversity #nature #animals #uae #Uganda #Africa #FrogConservation #Ecology #Evolution #EnvironmentalEducation #amphibians #Frogs #Biodiversity #wildlifeconservation
The Uganda Clawed Frog (Xenopus ruwenzoriensis) is a rare amphibian endemic to the Albertine Rift, threatened by climate change and habitat loss. Classified as Data Deficient by the IUCN, it hadn’t been recorded in Semuliki National Park and Rwenzori Mountains National Park for over two decades, raising concerns about its survival.
Thanks to support from the MBZ Fund, Stephen Ssemwaka and his team set out to rediscover this elusive species and raise awareness about amphibian conservation in local communities. The grant provided essential equipment for amphibian surveys, including minnow traps and dip nets, as well as critical logistical support from Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers and local guides.
Apart from confirming the presence of Xenopus ruwenzoriensis in Semuliki National Park, they also engaged local communities, gathered valuable knowledge, and conducted sessions to promote amphibian and wetland conservation.
#MBZFund #conservation, #endangeredspecies #biodiversity #nature #animals #uae #Uganda #Africa #FrogConservation #Ecology #Evolution #EnvironmentalEducation #amphibians #Frogs #Biodiversity #wildlifeconservation
نستقبل عامًا هجريًا جديدًا، نستذكر فيه رحلة الهجرة التي لم تكن انتقالًا بين مكانين فحسب، بل كانت بداية لفصل جديد من الإيمان والعمل والأمل.
في صندوق محمد بن زايد للمحافظة على الكائنات الحية، نؤمن أن كل بداية جديدة هي فرصة لتجديد النية، وتعزيز التزامنا بحماية الحياة على هذا الكوكب، والوقوف مع كل من يعمل بإخلاص لأجل كوكب أكثر توازنًا ورحمة.
كل عام وأنتم بخير، ونسأل الله أن يكون عامًا يحمل الخير والسلام والبركة للجميع.
#رأس_السنة_الهجرية #1447هـ #عام_هجري_جديد #حماية_الأنواع #صندوق_محمد_بن_زايد #التنوع_البيولوجي
As we welcome the Hijri New Year, we are reminded that Hijrah was not just a journey between places; it was the beginning of hope, purpose, and renewal.
At the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, we believe that every new beginning is a chance to recommit to protecting life on Earth and standing alongside those working to safeguard our planet.
Wishing you and your loved ones a year filled with peace, purpose, and prosperity.
#MBZfund #NewHijriYear #IslamicNewYear #conservation #speciesconservation #endangeredspecies #wildlifeconservation #biodiversity #sustainability #UAE #environment
نستقبل عامًا هجريًا جديدًا، نستذكر فيه رحلة الهجرة التي لم تكن انتقالًا بين مكانين فحسب، بل كانت بداية لفصل جديد من الإيمان والعمل والأمل.
في صندوق محمد بن زايد للمحافظة على الكائنات الحية، نؤمن أن كل بداية جديدة هي فرصة لتجديد النية، وتعزيز التزامنا بحماية الحياة على هذا الكوكب، والوقوف مع كل من يعمل بإخلاص لأجل كوكب أكثر توازنًا ورحمة.
كل عام وأنتم بخير، ونسأل الله أن يكون عامًا يحمل الخير والسلام والبركة للجميع.
#رأس_السنة_الهجرية #1447هـ #عام_هجري_جديد #حماية_الأنواع #صندوق_محمد_بن_زايد #التنوع_البيولوجي
As we welcome the Hijri New Year, we are reminded that Hijrah was not just a journey between places; it was the beginning of hope, purpose, and renewal.
At the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, we believe that every new beginning is a chance to recommit to protecting life on Earth and standing alongside those working to safeguard our planet.
Wishing you and your loved ones a year filled with peace, purpose, and prosperity.
#MBZfund #NewHijriYear #IslamicNewYear #conservation #speciesconservation #endangeredspecies #wildlifeconservation #biodiversity #sustainability #UAE #environment
This project aims to conserve five remarkable species of the genus Ambystoma (A. taylori, A. rivulare, A. altamirani, A. granulosum, and A. velasci), which are found across central Mexico. In this phase, researcher Juan Daniel Monets and his team focused on A. velasci.
Thanks to funding from the MBZ Fund, they embarked on a field campaign to gather critical environmental data, tissue samples, and swabs from various locations in Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, and Jalisco. These samples will undergo thorough laboratory analysis to identify the threats impacting these populations, allowing us to develop effective conservation strategies tailored for success.
In addition to our scientific efforts, they also engaged with local communities near the sampling sites. By raising awareness about the importance of protecting these unique species and their habitats, they are creating a culture of conservation that is vital for the long-term survival of these organisms.
#MBZFund #conservation #UAE #Mexico #ambystoma #endangeredspecies #wildlifeconservation #biodiversity #sustainability #animals #wildlife #nature
This project aims to conserve five remarkable species of the genus Ambystoma (A. taylori, A. rivulare, A. altamirani, A. granulosum, and A. velasci), which are found across central Mexico. In this phase, researcher Juan Daniel Monets and his team focused on A. velasci.
Thanks to funding from the MBZ Fund, they embarked on a field campaign to gather critical environmental data, tissue samples, and swabs from various locations in Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, and Jalisco. These samples will undergo thorough laboratory analysis to identify the threats impacting these populations, allowing us to develop effective conservation strategies tailored for success.
In addition to our scientific efforts, they also engaged with local communities near the sampling sites. By raising awareness about the importance of protecting these unique species and their habitats, they are creating a culture of conservation that is vital for the long-term survival of these organisms.
#MBZFund #conservation #UAE #Mexico #ambystoma #endangeredspecies #wildlifeconservation #biodiversity #sustainability #animals #wildlife #nature
The Elephant Listening Project is a groundbreaking initiative led by Daniela Hedwig from the K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics at Cornell University, supported by Ivonne Kienast and Michael Boungalo on the ground. Their mission is to support conservation efforts for forest elephants and other endangered wildlife in the Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas of the Central African Republic.
Thanks to support from the MBZ Fund, they have acquired essential acoustic monitoring equipment, including recording units and data storage media. This funding has also enabled them to deploy a skilled local African team dedicated to advancing and expanding the use of acoustic monitoring as a powerful tool for conserving elephants and combating gun-hunting.
The project has made significant strides in a remarkably short time. Over 25 locals have been trained to install and monitor the 23 deployed units, with an additional 21 units scheduled for deployment by September. Currently, the team is monitoring gunshot activity and elephant vocalisations but will include monkeys and bird diversity in the near future.
#MBZFund #conservation #UAE #Africa #elephants #endangeredspecies #wildlifeconservation #biodiversity #sustainability #animals #wildlife #nature
The Elephant Listening Project is a groundbreaking initiative led by Daniela Hedwig from the K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics at Cornell University, supported by Ivonne Kienast and Michael Boungalo on the ground. Their mission is to support conservation efforts for forest elephants and other endangered wildlife in the Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas of the Central African Republic.
Thanks to support from the MBZ Fund, they have acquired essential acoustic monitoring equipment, including recording units and data storage media. This funding has also enabled them to deploy a skilled local African team dedicated to advancing and expanding the use of acoustic monitoring as a powerful tool for conserving elephants and combating gun-hunting.
The project has made significant strides in a remarkably short time. Over 25 locals have been trained to install and monitor the 23 deployed units, with an additional 21 units scheduled for deployment by September. Currently, the team is monitoring gunshot activity and elephant vocalisations but will include monkeys and bird diversity in the near future.
#MBZFund #conservation #UAE #Africa #elephants #endangeredspecies #wildlifeconservation #biodiversity #sustainability #animals #wildlife #nature
Thanks to the MBZ Fund, Durell launched urgent surveys for the Malagasy Giant Jumping Rat, endemic to the dry forests in Madagascar! The results are alarming: its population is plummeting even faster than deforestation. Now listed as Critically Endangered, this incredible species needs our help!
But there’s hope! Durell findings are shaping park patrols and conservation strategies to protect its last strongholds. Additionally, the IUCN SSC Small Mammal Specialist Group and Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust recently secured an IUCN Species Survival Commission EDGE grant to develop a Species Action Plan. Set for 2025, this multi-stakeholder workshop will map out the crucial steps needed to secure the species’ future.
A big question remains: Are dogs a threat to its survival? Durrell has launched a new study to assess dog populations within protected areas! Let’s come together to ensure this unique species thrives for generations to come!
#MBZFund #Durell #IUCN #rat #conservation #UAE #Madagascar #ConservationInAction #SaveTheGiantJumpingRat #MadagascarWildlife
Thanks to the MBZ Fund, Durell launched urgent surveys for the Malagasy Giant Jumping Rat, endemic to the dry forests in Madagascar! The results are alarming: its population is plummeting even faster than deforestation. Now listed as Critically Endangered, this incredible species needs our help!
But there’s hope! Durell findings are shaping park patrols and conservation strategies to protect its last strongholds. Additionally, the IUCN SSC Small Mammal Specialist Group and Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust recently secured an IUCN Species Survival Commission EDGE grant to develop a Species Action Plan. Set for 2025, this multi-stakeholder workshop will map out the crucial steps needed to secure the species’ future.
A big question remains: Are dogs a threat to its survival? Durrell has launched a new study to assess dog populations within protected areas! Let’s come together to ensure this unique species thrives for generations to come!
#MBZFund #Durell #IUCN #rat #conservation #UAE #Madagascar #ConservationInAction #SaveTheGiantJumpingRat #MadagascarWildlife
Our project aims to conserve the most endangered small felid of central Argentina: the Pampas Cat (Leopardus pajeros). This elusive and rare felid faces severe threats from habitat loss, roadkill, and retaliatory killings, with its survival closely linked to the preservation of natural grasslands. Through targeted interventions, such as placing traffic signs, improving chicken pens, launching a social marketing campaign, and engaging local schools, our goal is to reduce human-wildlife conflicts and promote a conservation message towards the Pampas cat among children and their families. Ultimately, by conserving the Pampas cat, our project not only contributes to the resilience of the local ecosystem but also builds community capacity for long-term conservation and coexistence with wildlife.
“The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund field grant supported by the GEF has greatly boosted my journey as a young conservation biologist. It has provided the resources and inspiration needed to address the challenges of protecting the Pampas cat, allowing me to reshape my approach to conservation”. Maria Garcia
#MBZFund #GEF #Fonseca #FieldGrants #GEFyouth #youngconservationist #conservation #biodiversity #wildcats #smallcats #pampascat #Argentina
Our project aims to conserve the most endangered small felid of central Argentina: the Pampas Cat (Leopardus pajeros). This elusive and rare felid faces severe threats from habitat loss, roadkill, and retaliatory killings, with its survival closely linked to the preservation of natural grasslands. Through targeted interventions, such as placing traffic signs, improving chicken pens, launching a social marketing campaign, and engaging local schools, our goal is to reduce human-wildlife conflicts and promote a conservation message towards the Pampas cat among children and their families. Ultimately, by conserving the Pampas cat, our project not only contributes to the resilience of the local ecosystem but also builds community capacity for long-term conservation and coexistence with wildlife.
“The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund field grant supported by the GEF has greatly boosted my journey as a young conservation biologist. It has provided the resources and inspiration needed to address the challenges of protecting the Pampas cat, allowing me to reshape my approach to conservation”. Maria Garcia
#MBZFund #GEF #Fonseca #FieldGrants #GEFyouth #youngconservationist #conservation #biodiversity #wildcats #smallcats #pampascat #Argentina
Lake Poso, an ancient tectonic gem in Sulawesi, Indonesia, is home to the unique freshwater bivalve, Corbicula possoensis, found along its sandy and muddy shores. While much has been studied about its reproductive modes and phylogenetic relationships, crucial data on its population sizes remains elusive, hindering effective conservation efforts.
Thanks to a MBZF global field grant supported by the GEF, researcher Wahyuni and her team conducted a vital population survey in December 2024. They focused on areas with distinct genetic characteristics, proposing a targeted conservation approach to preserve this species’ genetic diversity.
Their survey identified a priority site near Dumalanga Village, boasting the highest population density of Corbicula possoensis. With water levels fluctuating due to seasonal changes and hydropower operations on the Poso River, the team is set to share their findings with stakeholders, including local government and Poso Energy, advocating for the long-term survival of this endangered bivalve.
#MBZFund #GEF #Fonseca #FieldGrants #GEFyouth #youngconservationist #conservation #biodiversity #Indonesia #Sulawesi
Lake Poso, an ancient tectonic gem in Sulawesi, Indonesia, is home to the unique freshwater bivalve, Corbicula possoensis, found along its sandy and muddy shores. While much has been studied about its reproductive modes and phylogenetic relationships, crucial data on its population sizes remains elusive, hindering effective conservation efforts.
Thanks to a MBZF global field grant supported by the GEF, researcher Wahyuni and her team conducted a vital population survey in December 2024. They focused on areas with distinct genetic characteristics, proposing a targeted conservation approach to preserve this species’ genetic diversity.
Their survey identified a priority site near Dumalanga Village, boasting the highest population density of Corbicula possoensis. With water levels fluctuating due to seasonal changes and hydropower operations on the Poso River, the team is set to share their findings with stakeholders, including local government and Poso Energy, advocating for the long-term survival of this endangered bivalve.
#MBZFund #GEF #Fonseca #FieldGrants #GEFyouth #youngconservationist #conservation #biodiversity #Indonesia #Sulawesi
