Rhino numbers on the rise in Africa, reversing a sinking trend begun in 2012

White rhinos saw their numbers grow for the first time since 2012 last year, boosted by efforts to restore the creatures to the African landscape.

White rhinos now total 16,803, according to a tally from the International Union for Conservation of Nature released Friday, World Rhino Day. Black rhinos also saw their ranks swell, and now number 6,487. Together, the population of both white and black rhinos grew by more than 5 percent last year.

https://e360.yale.edu/digest/white-rhinos-population-rebound

Final 2023 WH tally: 42 new sites added to World Heritage List

The World Heritage List has designated 42 global treasures as UNESCO World Heritage sites, according to a statement released Monday.

Since its founding in 1972, the World Heritage Convention has inscribed sites of “outstanding universal value,” and after the 45th session held this month, the total of sites now stands at 1,199.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2023/09/25/unesco-world-heritage-list-hopewell-ohio/70923186007/

Pacific Island nation of Niue to sell sponsorships to protect its ocean territory

The tiny Pacific island nation of Niue has come up with a novel plan to protect its vast and pristine territorial waters: it will get sponsors to pay. Under the plan, which was launched by Niue’s premier, Dalton Tagelagi, on Tuesday in New York, individuals or companies can pay $148 to protect 1 square kilometre of ocean from threats such as illegal fishing and plastic waste for a period of 20 years.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/20/pacific-island-nation-niue-seeks-ocean-sponsors-conservation-plan-niue-climate-change