Mount Mabu Wins Protection as Gray Wolves Return to Mendocino

1. Mozambique Formally Protects Mount Mabu Butterfly Forest

Mozambique has granted formal protection to Mount Mabu, a biodiversity hotspot in the country’s north that shelters more than 200 butterfly species along with numerous endemic animals. The decree, published in late August by the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries, establishes a 9,341-hectare protected area. Conservationists hailed the move as a landmark step for one of southern Africa’s most remarkable forests.

Source: Mongabay

2. Gray Wolf Spotted in California’s Mendocino National Forest

Wildlife officials in California have confirmed the first sighting of a gray wolf in Mendocino National Forest since the species returned to the state in 2011. Officials say the sighting is an encouraging sign that the recovering population is expanding its range. The confirmation adds momentum to one of North America’s most celebrated wildlife comebacks.

Source: The Guardian

3. Nigerian Conservationist Honored for Saving Rare Red Monkey

Nigerian conservationist Rachel Ikemeh has been named a 2026 Rolex Award laureate for her work protecting the critically endangered Niger Delta red colobus monkey. Ikemeh has partnered with local communities in the Niger Delta to safeguard the region’s ecology and the rare primate, known locally as epieni. The award brings significant international attention and support to her efforts.

Source: Mongabay

4. Ecuador’s Jocotoco Foundation Becomes a Global Conservation Model

Thirty years after the chance discovery of the rare jocotoco antpitta in Ecuador’s cloud forests, the foundation created to protect the bird has grown into a globally recognized model for biodiversity restoration. The Jocotoco Foundation now safeguards habitat for many species far beyond the one that inspired it. Its success shows how a single sighting can spark decades of meaningful conservation.

Source: The Guardian

5. New Zealand Approves MDMA Therapy for Severe PTSD

New Zealand’s drug regulator has approved the use of pharmaceutical-grade MDMA to treat severe post-traumatic stress disorder, with two psychiatrists winning approval to prescribe the therapy. The decision follows Australia’s 2023 approval of psychedelic-assisted treatments. Health experts see the move as a promising expansion of options for patients who have not responded to conventional care.

Source: The Guardian

6. Researchers Champion Marine Rewilding to Restore Ocean Health

Researchers are urging a shift in ocean conservation from protection alone toward active recovery through marine rewilding. The approach seeks to rebuild ocean ecosystems and enhance their resilience, going beyond the traditional focus on marine protected areas. Scientists say the strategy holds significant promise for restoring degraded habitats and strengthening ocean health worldwide.

Source: Mongabay