Targeted Species-Specific Conservation:
A global study published in PLOS Biology has found that targeted conservation efforts have helped prevent the extinction of numerous animal species, highlighting the effectiveness of species-specific interventions for conservation.
- Nearly 99.3% of species that improved in the IUCN Red List category since 1980, benefitted from conservation measures.
- Out of 969 species with increasing populations, 78.3% had active conservation interventions in place.
- Species-Specific Outcomes:
- Iberian Lynx: Grew from a few hundred to several thousand individuals through breeding and habitat management.
- Kākāpō: A New Zealand parrot revived through intensive monitoring and predator control.
- European Bison: Reintroduced into wild areas in Eastern Europe after complete extinction in the wild in the early 20th century.
- India’s Species-Specific Conservation Programme:
- The Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH-2008) approved for continuation during the 15th Finance Commission cycle (2021–26), aims to strengthen wildlife conservation of critically endangered species in India through captive breeding, and habitat restoration with community participation.
