Snowy Owls & Sharks Get Global Protection

At the COP15 summit on migratory species held in Campo Verde, Brazil, representatives from 132 countries and the European Union approved the addition of 40 new species to international protection lists. Among the newly protected species are the snowy owl, known from the Harry Potter saga, the great hammerhead shark, and the Hudsonian godwit. The summit highlighted the critical state of migratory wildlife.

This significant conservation meeting also saw the inclusion of land mammals like the striped hyena and cheetah, as well as aquatic species such as the giant otter. These additions underscore a growing concern over declining wildlife populations. Parties to the CMS are now legally obligated to protect these species, conserve their habitats, and facilitate safe migration.

A report released prior to the summit indicated that 49 percent of species tracked by the CMS show declining numbers, and approximately 25 percent are threatened globally. CMS Executive Secretary Amy Fraenkel emphasized the urgency, stating that while stronger protections are in place, species cannot wait for future meetings. Further concerns were raised about migratory freshwater fish populations, which are in severe decline.