Latest news with #TompkinsConservation
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Argentina's top aquatic predator' released in wild for first time. ‘Huge win'
In a wetland of northeastern Argentina, a family of the country's 'top aquatic predator' ventured outside their enclosure for the first time. They didn't run or even wander very far, but that wasn't the point. The family's release into the wild marked a conservation milestone for a species considered locally extinct for about 40 years. Conservationists began this ambitious project eight years ago with one goal: bring giant river otters back to Argentina, Tompkins Conservation, one of the organizations involved, said in a June 27 Facebook post. Giant river otters, or Pteronura brasiliensis, are the world's largest otters, reaching almost 6 feet long and weighing up to 72 pounds, Rewilding Argentina said in a news release. The species is considered endangered globally and went locally extinct in Argentina in the late 1980s due to hunting and habitat loss. 'With no wild or captive individuals left in Argentina, the (reintroduction) process had to start from scratch,' Tompkins Conservation said. First, conservationists prepared a spot for the otters in the Iberá Wetlands, a vast protected area, by building semi-aquatic enclosures to keep the animals contained while allowing them to adjust to the natural environment. Next, the team found zoos in the United States and Europe willing to donate otters to the project and transferred the animals to the new enclosures. 'Since giant river otters live and hunt in large family groups, their release into the protected Iberá wetlands has been contingent on their forming a family,' the United Nations Environment Programme said in a 2024 news release about the project. Conservationists oversaw the giant river otters as they learned to fish, formed mating pairs and had pups. Simultaneously, the team prepared special otter harnesses fitted with tracking devices to monitor the animals post-release. This yearslong process led one otter family — Coco, Nima and their two pups — to be ready for release, Sebastián Di Martino, the conservation director at Rewilding Argentina, told McClatchy News via email. On July 1, conservationists opened up the otter family's enclosure and set them free. Photos show the giant river otters standing on a dock outside their enclosure, swimming in the open water and approaching a research truck. The day marked several firsts: the project's first otter release, the first time otters had lived in the wild in Argentina in decades and 'the first worldwide comeback of this species in a habitat where it had been rendered extinct,' Tompkins Conservation said. Since the release, the otters are 'staying relatively close to their enclosure,' Di Martino said. 'The territory of this group is defined in and around the enclosure, which is why it's logical for them to stay in that area and gradually begin to explore a bit more.' 'They go out, swim around a bit, and then return to the enclosure,' Di Martino said. 'There's a lot of exploratory movements. They vocalize a lot to stay in contact and together. And they've even been swimming a lot. Of course, sometimes they come out onto land, onto the shore a bit, and they've also already caught some fish.' Conservationists are preparing more otter families for reintroduction to the Iberá Wetlands but have no estimated timeline for their release. 'Since this is the first giant river otter reintroduction project in the world, each step we take comes with a lot to learn,' Di Martino said. Still, 'the giant river otter's return marks a huge win for the communities of Northeast Argentina, all the park visitors and the natural world,' Kris Tompkins, the president of Tompkins Conservation, said in a Facebook post. Google Translate was used to translate the news release from Rewilding Argentina.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Billionaire entrepreneur cements legacy with creation of a new national park: 'It feels like a tremendous responsibility'
Another new national park has been established in Chile thanks to the ongoing efforts of U.S. conservationist and philanthropist Kristine Tompkins and her organization, Tompkins Conservation, NPR reported. Tompkins first came to Chile in 1993 with her husband, the late Douglas Tompkins, co-founder of The North Face and Esprit clothing companies. In the intervening years, the couple established 15 other national parks in Chile and Argentina, including two marine parks. Combined, these sites offer the highest level of environmental protection available to 14.8 million acres of land and 30 million acres of ocean. The newest site sits at Cape Froward, the southernmost point of South America. It comprises 315,000 acres of freezing forest, with a view of the glaciers atop the Darwin mountain range. "We started off by acquiring land as and when it came onto the market," said Marcela Quiroz, director of strategic partnerships for Tompkins Conservation subsidiary Rewilding Chile, per NPR. "The first major purchase we made was nearly 94,000 hectares in 2021 which we bought from a local family. We want to keep working to complete this puzzle." The organization purchased this parcel of land and one other, then worked with the Chilean government to establish the new national park. The government accepted the parcel and added on federal land at each end to create a long corridor of uninterrupted nature. Conservation work like this is vital to the future of the planet. As more and more natural areas are cleared for farming, ranching, and industry, the forests that the world relies on for clean air and the removal of carbon air pollution are dwindling. With the old trees and diverse plants go a huge assortment of wildlife, from tiny bugs to the beautiful birds and larger animals — any of which could go extinct forever if enough habitat is lost. "It feels like a tremendous responsibility," said Carolina Morgado, executive director of Rewilding Chile, per NPR. "This goes way beyond creating national parks. It's about installing a vision about how we, as citizens, can get involved in protecting the land and its biodiversity. "And that, to me at least, is important." Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hollywood's Most Exclusive Invite: A Look Inside 2025's Oscars Greenroom
The pinnacle of film excellence is met with the gold standard of craftsmanship for a decade-long partnership that makes perfect sense. Since 2016, Rolex has served as the official host of the Oscars greenroom. Easily the most exclusive VIP lounge in Los Angeles, this backstage haven is strictly open to the evening's host, presenters, nominees and winners. Here, they escape the ceremony's hustle to relax, celebrate and mingle while sipping champagne and enjoying bites by Wolfgang Puck. More from The Hollywood Reporter Karla Sofía Gascón Returns to the Red Carpet for First Time Since Scandal (Photos) How to Watch the Oscars 2025 Around the World How to Stream the 2025 Oscars Online for Free Each year, the Swiss watchmaker reimagines the space to thoughtfully capture its annual theme. In 2025, that theme is rewilding, otherwise known as the restoration of the natural world. This stems from Rolex's ongoing conservation efforts supported by the brand's Perpetual Planet Initiative, which partners with non-profit Tompkins Conservation and its offspring organizations Rewilding Chile and Rewilding Argentina to regenerate and sustain ecological communities. To successfully execute the theme, Rolex's design team used layers of airy tulle, sheer curtains and diffused lighting to depict landscapes devoid of fences. Silhouettes of native species can be seen returning to the wilderness as nature restores their habitat. The furniture's earthy hues and textures top off the lounge's serene ambience. Rolex has long been a supporter of cinema, and within the past 10 years, its commitment to the global film industry has become all the more evident. In 2017, the watchmaker became both the exclusive watch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and the sponsor of the Oscars. In 2018, Rolex was named the exclusive sponsor of the Governors Awards, and in 2021, a founding supporter and official watch of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in L.A. Check out Rolex's past Oscars greenrooms below, and tune into the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 2, live from the Dolby Theatre. 96th Academy Awards: See the 2024 Rolex Oscars Greenroom 95th Academy Awards: See the 2023 Rolex Oscars Greenroom 94th Academy Awards: See the 2022 Rolex Oscars Greenroom Related: How to Watch the 2025 Oscar-Nominated Films Online Best of The Hollywood Reporter From 'Lady in the Lake' to 'It Ends With Us': 29 New and Upcoming Book Adaptations in 2024 Meet the Superstars Who Glam Up Hollywood's A-List Rosie O'Donnell on Ellen, Madonna, Trump and 40 Years in the Queer Spotlight
