We looked back at our blog posts this year, and found that there was plenty to celebrate! Take a look at these conservation highlights from 2016.

Conservation Status and Population Size Improvements

• Bronx Zoo helps achieve downlisting from Critically Endangered to Endangered for Blue Iguanas.
• After a close call with extinction, Hawaiian Crows recover and return to the wild.
• South Island Takahe averts extinction and sets out on the road to recovery.
• West Coast Wildlife Centre Hatches 101 Tokoeka Kiwi Chick
• Conservation Intervention Rescues Murrelets from Potential Endangerment
• Sightings of Night Parrot, once thought extinct, are increasing.
• Success in captive breeding of Critically Endangered Stick Insect
• Thanks to conservation efforts, Eastern Barred Bandicoots are rebounding from extinction.
• Critically Endangered Tāiko has record breeding season.
• Island Foxes officially no longer Endangered.
• Kākāpō population gets a much-needed boost.
• Rare New Zealand plant, Ngutukākā, saved from extinction.
• Endangered Green Sea Turtles return to Florida in record numbers.
• California Condors rise from the brink of extinction.

Conservation/Project Successes and Milestones

• Restoration of Macquarie Island Supports Seabirds.
• Choros Island, Chile ecosystem recovering following invasive species removal.
• Critical Hawaiian Petrel nesting area protected from invasive predators.
• Restoration project successfully removes invasive rats from Penguin Island, AU.
• Invasive mice removed from Maud Island, NZ.
• Critical Jamaican Rock Iguana habitat protected.
• Palmyra Atoll exhibits signs of recovery following removal of invasive rats.
• South Island Robins moved to predator-free island.
• Invasive ants removed from Tiritiri Matanga Island.
• Malta marine areas receive protection.
• Endangered Black-fronted Terns receive protection.
• Invasive rats successfully removed from Malinoa and Motu Tapu Islands.
• Murchison and Faraday Islands, British Columbia, declared rat-free.
• Hawadax Island recovering after removal of invasive rats.

Big Picture

• New Zealand takes leadership role to reduce impacts of invasive species
• New partnership forms to protect Key Biodiversity Areas
• Mexico designates Marine Protected Areas.
• Global Initiative Launched to Reduce Impacts of Invasive Species

Exciting Wildlife News

• Defying expectations, world’s oldest Laysan Albatross prepares to hatch 41st chick.
• New lizard species discovered in Dominican Republic.
• Million-year-old lizard species discovered on remote Pacific island.

And to keep in mind as we move forward in conservation:

• Island Conservation Co-founder Bernie Tershy: There is Hope Yet

Thanks and congratulations to all who have supported the recovery of species and ecosystems this year! Here’s to another year of conservation success!

Featured photo: Albatross parent and chick on Antipodes Island. Credit: Jason Zito/Island Conservation