Conservation Planning Specialist Group

Conservation Planning Specialist Group The Conservation Planning Specialist Group is dedicated to saving endangered species by increasing the effectiveness of conservation efforts worldwide.
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Before August 2017, the Puerto Rican parrot population at El Yunque National Forest numbered around 56 birds. By October...
12/05/2026

Before August 2017, the Puerto Rican parrot population at El Yunque National Forest numbered around 56 birds. By October, after Hurricanes Irma and Maria, only three birds from that population were sighted.

But the species did not disappear: recovery was supported by coordinated conservation efforts, including ex situ populations managed across multiple facilities to support translocations and long-term recovery.

That story helps illustrate the argument of a new Comment in Nature Ecology & Evolution: tropical cyclones are natural phenomena, but their impacts on species today are being intensified by habitat fragmentation, invasive species, and climate change. Yet, despite being sudden enough to wipe out entire populations within hours, they are also seasonal and geographically concentrated, which means there is an opportunity to plan and prepare in advance.

The authors call for conservation planning to move toward coordinated preparedness for cyclone-driven extinction risk.

This new publication proposes a framework under a proposed global IUCN-led Task Force to help identify and prioritize species most at risk, coordinate expertise, and develop practical guidance for action before and after a cyclone makes landfall.

Read more here: https://www.cpsg.org/news/next-cyclone-hits-new-publication-nature-ecology-evolution-calls-proactive-planning-prevent?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_campaign=BeforeNextCycloneBlog

Congratulations to the team behind this work!

🐬 The Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea) was recognized as a distinct species in 2014. It is known to inhabit...
11/05/2026

🐬 The Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea) was recognized as a distinct species in 2014. It is known to inhabit a narrow coastal strip from Bay of Bengal (India), to False Bay (South Africa), and they are assessed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List .

However, it is thought that only a few hundred individuals still persist in South African waters in two disjoint populations.

The status of the species seems to be worsening due to a number of threats, while we still know very little about this charismatic and yet secretive species.

From 9 - 11 March 2026, around 20 scientists, researchers, managers, and officials joined an in-person threats and analysis workshop to address the next steps for the conservation of the endangered Indian Ocean humpback dolphin. Participants spent three days evaluating threats and gathering expert opinions on future population viability in South Africa.

Coming up: later this year, we will continue with a Conservation Planning Workshop for this species.

This workshop was organized by the SouSA Consortium with support from Tourvest Travel Services ( ) and Dyer Island Conservation Trust ( ).

The workshop was designed and facilitated by Lauren Waller (CPSG Africa), Christie Craig (CPSG Africa), and Simon Valle (CPSG HQ), with the support of Justin Birkhoff (CPSG mentee through the AZA IMLS Grant).


08/05/2026

Article- Amphibian Ark - Saving endangered amphibians from extinction

You can now register for our 2026 Annual Conference! The IUCN SSC CPSG Annual Conference is a dynamic, informal, and hig...
20/04/2026

You can now register for our 2026 Annual Conference!

The IUCN SSC CPSG Annual Conference is a dynamic, informal, and highly interactive working conference.

This event is open to anyone interested in species conservation. At this event, you will:

- Join colleagues in working group sessions to find ways forward on issues of importance to the conservation community.

- Collaborate in a dynamic environment that brings together in situ and ex situ practitioners, reflecting CPSG's commitment to the One Plan Approach to conservation.

- Network with conservationists from around the world and exchange knowledge, tools, and strategies.

🗓️ This year we'll meet in Cologne, Germany, from 22-25 October, thanks to our hosts at Kölner Zoo!

Registrations are now open at: www.cpsg2026.org

🇩🇪 See you in Germany!

🪻 We are happy to announce that the website for the 2026 CPSG Annual Conference is now live!Registration will open later...
09/04/2026

🪻 We are happy to announce that the website for the 2026 CPSG Annual Conference is now live!

Registration will open later this month—stay tuned.

The CPSG Annual Conference will take place 22-25 October in Cologne, Germany, hosted by Kölner Zoo . We invite you to explore the event details on the website to start planning your participation: www.cpsg2026.org

We hope to see you in Cologne! 🇩🇪📍

For over 40 years, CPSG has facilitated conservation planning processes that have supported species stabilization and re...
01/04/2026

For over 40 years, CPSG has facilitated conservation planning processes that have supported species stabilization and recovery. But many species still lack the plans they urgently need.

To change this, we are also working to build global capacity for more species conservation planning!

Join our next Facilitating Species Conservation Planning Workshops course (online) and gain the confidence and skills to lead impactful, actionable planning processes for species recovery.

🗓️ Next course starts 11 May—apply by 15 April!

We have a new country-based pricing model and this course's content has been recently refreshed and updated to simulate a real 4-day workshop!

🔗 Don't miss out! Apply here: https://www.cpsg.org/our-work/capacity-building/courses/facilitating-species-conservation-planning-workshops

26/03/2026

Fewer than 250 Javan green magpies are believed to remain today, due to pressures from the illegal songbird trade, habitat loss and degredation.

But a new Conservation Strategy and Action Plan for the species has been launched, a major step forward for this species on the brink of extinction.

We’re excited to have helped bring this plan to life, working with IUCN SSC Indonesia Species Specialist Group, IUCN SSC Conservation Planning Specialist Group and IUCN SSC Asian Songbird Trade Specialist Group to facilitate the workshop and support the development of the plan.

Together, we’re turning collaboration into real action for the Javan green magpie. 💚



👉 Read more: https://idssg.id/jgm-conservation-plan-2026/

🐢 The Beale's Eyed Turtle (Sacalia bealei) is a small, secretive freshwater turtle endemic to southeastern China, includ...
23/03/2026

🐢 The Beale's Eyed Turtle (Sacalia bealei) is a small, secretive freshwater turtle endemic to southeastern China, including Hong Kong. This species is especially vulnerable due to its slow growth, late maturity, and low reproduction rate.

In Hong Kong, one of the species' known breeding populations persists with fewer than 100 individuals. But threats such as poaching, non-native turtle species, habitat disturbance, and key knowledge gaps continue to put pressure on their future.

In June 2024, a four-day conservation planning workshop was convened in Hong Kong to develop a shared strategy for the species. The workshop brought together 26 participants from 10 institutions, including government agencies, academic institutions, NGOs, and herpetological and zoological groups. The process was designed and facilitated by Paul Bamford (CPSG Facilitator, Chester Zoo ) and Fabiana Lopes Rocha (CPSG | CSS Brazil ).

You can now find the resulting Integrated Conservation Strategy for the Beale's Eyed Turtle in Hong Kong (2025-2030) on our website! Read more here: https://www.cpsg.org/news/integrated-conservation-strategy-beales-eyed-turtle-hong-kong-workshop-report-now-available

This workshop was organized by 香港海洋公園 Ocean Park Hong Kong , and supported by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD).

Later this week, from March 27-30, 2026, Ocean Park Hong Kong, Lingnan University, and partners will be hosting the First International Conference on Asian Turtles (ICAT) in Hong Kong. You can find more information here: https://www.ln.edu.hk/dos/icat

IUCN Species Survival Commission

19/03/2026

Did you know we are one of the three founding partners of Amphibian Ark?

Looking back, it's remarkable how this effort came together so quickly at a time when we were only just beginning to understand the in the early 2000s. Thanks to the IUCN Species Survival Commission, through two of its specialist groups (the IUCN Amphibian Specialist Group and the CPSG), an unprecedented conservation response quickly took shape.

Our longstanding partners at the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums quickly stepped in, and together, the three organizations coordinated the response from the ex situ community in what would soon become Amphibian Ark.

It's also a powerful reminder of what can sometimes come out of a CPSG workshop and from the (OPA).

In Episode 02 of Amphibian Ark's new podcast, former CPSG Chairs Dr. Onnie Byers and Dr. Bob Lacy take us through this important moment in conservation history and reflect on how much has been achieved for .

Follow our friends at Amphibian Ark and listen to their new podcast: https://www.amphibianark.org/news/article/amphibian-rescue-the-amphibian-ark-podcast-is-here/

Learn more about the One Plan Approach: https://www.cpsg.org/our-work/our-approach/one-plan-approach

Freshwater ecosystems are essential for both wildlife and people: they provide us with critical ecosystem services, and ...
17/03/2026

Freshwater ecosystems are essential for both wildlife and people: they provide us with critical ecosystem services, and they are home to 11% of all animal species and 5% of all known plant species worldwide. Yet despite their importance, freshwater ecosystems remain underrepresented in conservation efforts.

In June 2025, within the framework of the First Mesoamerican Symposium on Freshwater Biodiversity Conservation, Yolanda Matamoros and Jorge Rodríguez from CPSG Mesoamerica facilitated a two-day planning workshop for the newly formed Mesoamerican Alliance for the Conservation of Freshwater Biodiversity.

The workshop brought together 40 participants from 19 institutions. Together, they identified major threats to freshwater ecosystems and species in the region, agreed on a shared regional vision, and developed coordinated lines of action.

The resulting workshop report is now available on our website (in Spanish; an Executive Summary in English on p.6). Read more here: https://www.cpsg.org/news/strengthening-regional-action-freshwater-biodiversity-mesoamerica-workshop-report-now

The event was organized by Shedd Aquarium’s Center for Species Survival: Freshwater ( ) , the IUCN Species Survival Commission Freshwater Conservation Committee, the Center for Environmental Studies and Biodiversity (.uvg ), and the School of Biology ( ) at Universidad del Valle de Guatemala ( ).

16/03/2026

🐸 ROUND 1 IS HERE!! And we need all of you!
Vote for the Giant Water Frog!
Telmatobius gigas is officially competing in the UPROAR Conservation Challenge by Indianapolis Zoo, and Round 1 starts TODAY!

🗓 Round 1 voting: March 16 – 19
🏆 5 rounds total — March 16 to April 3.

Voting is FREE! one vote per device, per round. Use every device you have and share the link so your friends and family can vote too!
Every vote goes directly toward funding the Telmatobius Task Force; real conservation money for a an Endangered species.

Cast your vote now 👉uproar.indianapoliszoo.com👈

Share this post and help the Giant win this first battle!

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