The savannah–forest mosaic of the Rupununi region of Guyana is a dispersal corridor between large tracts of intact Guiana Shield forests and a subsistence hunting ground for Indigenous Makushi and Wapichan communities. We conducted a camera-trap survey at 199 sites across four major forested habitat types and used multi-species occupancy modelling to determine regional-scale drivers of mammalian occupancy at both species and community levels, accounting for imperfect detection. We detected 47 savannah- and forest-dwelling mammal species, with the occupancy of medium- and large-bodied terrestrial mammal species (community occupancy) positively related to per cent forest cover and negatively to the presence of gallery forest habitat. The occupancy of 15 of 30 species was positively related to forest cover, suggesting the importance of maintaining forested habitat within the broader mosaic comprising savannahs and intermediate habitats for sustaining maximum mammal diversity. Jaguar Panthera onca occupancy was associated with the presence of livestock, and giant anteater Myrmecophaga tridactyla occupancy was negatively associated with distance to the nearest road, both results of concern in relation to potential human–wildlife conflict. The probability of detecting terrestrial mammal species (community detectability) increased away from villages, as did the detectability of two large-bodied, hunted species, the lowland tapir Tapirus terrestris and collared peccary Pecari tajacu, potentially indicating the negative effects of subsistence and commercial hunting in this savannah mosaic habitat. We use our findings to discuss how management strategies for hunting, fire, timber harvest and agriculture within Indigenous titled lands could help ensure the sustainability of these traditional livelihood activities.

Mouse lemurs Microcebus spp. are small, nocturnal primates endemic to Madagascar. The genus is extraordinarily diverse, with 25 extant species, several of which have been described recently. The Endangered Claire's mouse lemur Microcebus mamiratra was first described in 2006, but, similarly to other newly described mouse lemurs, remains understudied, and estimates of its population size are unavailable, hampering effective conservation management. We conducted line transect distance sampling surveys of M. mamiratra across several habitat types in and around Lokobe National Park on the island of Nosy Be in north-western Madagascar. Using a systematic random design we surveyed 15 transects over a 6-week period in 2023, recording 92 detections from a total survey effort of 46.5 km. We estimate the density of M. mamiratra on Nosy Be to be 125.1 individuals/km2, which extrapolates to an estimate of c. 4,700 individuals across the forested areas of its range on the island. Our results indicate that Nosy Be harbours moderately high densities of M. mamiratra, with the highest encounter rates in the unprotected secondary and degraded forests around Lokobe National Park. Our population estimate will inform future conservation status assessments and conservation planning for this range-restricted species and provide a baseline for monitoring population changes over time. We present recommendations for the conservation of M. mamiratra and highlight the potential for lemur watching, sustained by the strong tourism industry on Nosy Be, to help protect lemur habitat and generate economic opportunities for local communities.

The rare Himalayan wolf Canis lupus chanco is categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, and there is limited knowledge of its ecology and distribution. In Bhutan, the Himalayan wolf is one of the least known carnivores. Our aims in this study were to map the current distribution of the wolf in Bhutan and to identify potential habitats within the country. We compiled 32 records of wolf presence from camera-trap surveys and, using a maximum entropy approach, we estimated a potential habitat of 2,431 km2, comprising c. 6.3% of Bhutan. However, wolf presence was localized and non-continuous. We recommend a detailed fine-scale habitat analysis in areas of potential habitat and genetic studies to investigate population structure. Knowledge of these matters will provide insights regarding connectivity and facilitate the development of conservation strategies for this threatened wolf.

The export of ornamental fishes from Malawi has received limited attention regarding its sustainability or the conservation status of any threatened species involved in this trade. To identify any species that require specific management actions, we used a negative binomial regression model to examine the relationship between the number of exported fish and year of export, adjusted for fish prices and the number of fish exporters. We also examined the correlation between export volume trends and the conservation status of fish species. We identified three groups of fish species based on their export volume trends: species with no trends, with decreasing trends and with increasing trends. There was no significant correlation between export volume trends and the conservation status of fish species. The export volume trends of individual species appear to be related to the number of exporters, price and, potentially, anthropogenic factors affecting fish populations. Based on our findings we recommend the inclusion of ornamental fishery management issues in a revised Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy. This should include strategies to control overexploitation of species with declining export volume trends, and conservation of threatened species and a ban on their export. We recommend further research to establish the population status of the exploited fish species and to identify any other factors linked to the volume trends of ornamental fish exports.

The record of mammal declines and extinctions in Australia raises concerns regarding geographically restricted and poorly known taxa. For many taxa, the existing data are insufficient to assess their conservation status and inform appropriate management. Concerns regarding the persistence of the subspecies of yellow-footed rock-wallaby Petrogale xanthopus celeris, which is endemic to Queensland, have been expressed since the 1970s because of red fox Vulpes vulpes predation, competition with feral goats Capra hircus and land clearing. This rock-wallaby is rarely observed, occupies rugged mountain ranges and, prior to our surveys, had not been surveyed for 25 years. We surveyed 138 sites across the range of this rock-wallaby during 2010–2023, including revisiting sites surveyed in the 1970s–1980s and locations of historical records. We examined occurrence in relation to habitat variables and threats. Occupancy and abundance remained similar over time at most sites. However, by 2023 the subspecies had recolonized areas in the north-east of its range where it had disappeared between surveys in the 1980s and 2010s, and three south-western subpopulations that were considered extinct in the 1980s were rediscovered. Recolonization and increases in abundance at numerous sites between the 2010s and 2020s are associated with declines in feral goat abundance, indicating dietary and habitat competition are major threats. Exclusion fences erected since 2010 could limit genetic exchange between rock-wallaby subpopulations whilst allowing domestic goats to be commercially grazed. Petrogale xanthopus celeris should remain categorized as Vulnerable based on these ongoing threats. Repeated monitoring approximately every decade should underpin management of this endemic taxon.

The walia ibex Capra walie is endemic to the Simien Mountains, Ethiopia, and is a national symbol. The Simien Mountains National Park was established in 1966 to protect the last 200 walia ibexes from extinction. We coordinated a population census across their c. 100 km2 range in 2015 and annually during 2019–2024. We counted 865 walia ibexes of all age and sex classes in 2015; this dropped to 650 in 2019–2021, reducing further to 306 in 2024. We investigated this decline through interviews with representatives from neighbouring communities including park personnel, village elders, farmers, local authority staff and militia. More than 70% of those interviewed attributed the drop in walia ibex numbers to poaching, both for food and medicinal purposes. Instability as a result of the Covid-19 crisis and the 2021–2022 war was seen as the fundamental cause. A species action plan is in preparation to mobilize local community ambassadors and increase protection. A database of individually recognized walia ibexes would increase our understanding of population dynamics and distribution to complement the annual counts. We recommend a change of the species’ IUCN Red List status from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered based on the recent, severe population decline and limited extent of occurrence. This status update would accurately reflect the high extinction risk of the walia and help to mobilize resources for urgent conservation actions.