Protected Planet

Companies can access KBA data through the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT). This powerful tool combines information from three key 🌎 biodiversity datasets: the World Database of #KBAs, the @protectedplanet.bsky.social database, and the IUCN Red List.

💻 www.ibat-alliance.org

Sabah expands Totally Protected Areas to over 2.2 mln hectares | Borneo Post Online KOTA KINABALU (Feb 13): Sabah is further expanding its Totally Protected Areas (TPA) through the gazettement of approximately 216,000 hectares of new areas involving commercial forest reserves and sta...

#Sabah hits its 30% protection target! 🌿

With 216k new hectares gazetted, Sabah now has 2.22M hectares of protected land—the largest in Malaysia. 🇲🇾🌳

A massive win for global biodiversity!

Details: theborneopost.com/2026/02/13/s...

#Conservation #WDPCA #Biodiversity #WDPCA

This is a huge success story for the protection of the Pelagic Thresher shark (Alopias pelagicus), which regularly visits Kimud Shoal—a renowned cleaning station for the species. 🦈

#SharkConservation #ThresherShark #MPA #MarineProtectedArea #ThePhilippines

The ICCA Registry Welcome to the global ICCA Registry. Explore the world of ICCAs through the interactive map and case studies.

New #ICCA in #Myanmar added to the ICCA Registry!

Hkolo Tamutaku K’rer (Salween Peace Park) is the 1st formally recognised Karen Indigenous Community Conserved Territory, uniting Kaw lands, forests & wildlife sanctuaries

Explore more in the ICCA Registry:
www.iccaregistry.org

Great news from #Nigeria!

Two new #ICCAs, Gbanraun and Kokoloama CCA, are now in the ICCA Registry & Protected Planet.

These sites protect one of the last populations of the critically endangered Niger Delta Red Colobus Monkey. 🐒

www.iccaregistry.org/en/explore

📸 - @mongabay.com

Unprotected shark hotspots mapped in Western Indian Ocean - Oceanographic Scientists identify 125 shark and ray hotspots in Western Indian Ocean, showing that most of them are outside marine protected areas.

New data reveals 125 critical #shark & #ray habitats across the Western Indian Ocean, yet almost ALL fall outside existing #MPAs.🦈

With 50% of regional species at risk of extinction, we must align policy with science to protect these nurseries🌊

oceanographicmagazine.com/news/unprote...

We celebrate the registration of the #ICCA of the Langgawisan Bahi Tribal Association in the ICCA Registry. Known as Pyanada, this ICCA covers the entire Ancestral Domain of the Mandaya people in Maragusan —a sacred, living territory rooted in their covenant with nature & ancestors.

t.co/qYwiOAyJjF

🚨 Protected Planet has launched the World Database on Protected and Conserved Areas (WDPCA) - a new and unified database, merging the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) and the World Database on Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (WD-OECM).

Learn more here: tinyurl.com/mr649ywy

This marks a step forward for inclusive, rights-based conservation, strengthening the visibility and recognition of Indigenous leadership in protecting and stewarding biodiversity.

📷 (1) ZAB Cuyocuyo - Diego Perez, WCS Peru; (2) ZAB Marcapata - ACCA; (3) ZAB Ccollasuyo - ACCA

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🎉🌿 Great news for Indigenous-led conservation!

The January 2026 WDPCA release now includes 3 additional IP-governed OECMs from Peru: Zona de Agrodiversidad Marcapata Ccollana, Zona de Agrobiodiversidad Ccollasuyo, and Zona de Agrobiodiversidad Andenes de Cuyocuyo.

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🌍#ProtectedPlanet January 2026 Update:

WDPCA: 315,348 sites including 308,064 #ProtectedAreas covering 245 countries & territories and 7,284 #OECMs covering 16 countries & territories.

GD-PAME: 6 assessment records updated for Malawi.

Read More: ⤵️
buff.ly/M6bykkP

🌍 #ProtectedPlanet December 2025 Update:

#WDPCA: is 312,538, including 305,895 #ProtectedAreas, covering 244 countries & territories and 6,643 #OECMs covering 16 countries & territories.

GD-PAME: No new #PAME records were added.

Read More: ⤵️

lnkd.in/gfUn8THK

Western Cape expands protected area network with Lettas Kraal Nature Reserve CapeNature announces the formal declaration of Lettas Kraal Nature Reserve, enhancing the Western Cape's Protected Area Estate and supporting biodiversity conservation efforts.

Big #Conservation news for #SouthAfrica!

#CapeNature has declared a 7,050ha 'Lettas Kraal Nature Reserve' in the Succulent Karoo.

The success of the #ProtectedArea will conserve over 800 plant species, and the critically endangered riverine rabbit.

iol.co.za/capeargus/ne...

🚨With contributions & advice of ICCA networks of territories & areas conserved by #IndigenousPeoples & #localcommunities from Colombia, Ecuador, Senegal, Morocco, & Spain, our experts have co-created a guide on how to set up their peer-review and peer-support processes.

🔗 tinyurl.com/4anwbstf

🌍 #ProtectedPlanet November 2025 Update:

#WDPCA: is 310,367, including 303,773 #ProtectedAreas, covering 244 countries & territories and 6,594 #OECMs covering 16 countries & territories.

GD-PAME: No new #PAME records were added.

Read More: ⤵️
www.protectedplanet.net/en/monthly-r...

Portugal Now Expands Marine Conservation with Madeira-Tore and Gorringe Bank Marine Nature Reserve - Travel And Tour World Portugal aims to reach 30% marine protected areas by 2026 with the creation of the Madeira-Tore and Gorringe Bank Marine Nature Reserve, enhancing sustainability

#Portugal is accelerating its goal to protect 30% of its #MarineProtectedArea coverage, with the creation of the Madeira-Tore and Gorringe Bank Marine Nature Reserve.

This massive 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣km reserve is a HUGE win for biodiversity.

Read More:⤵️

www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article...

Thresher sharks spotted off Negros Occidental Thresher sharks were spotted by a diving team at the Sipaway Island Marine Protected Area (MPA) in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

🦈Thrilling news from the #SipawayIsland #MPA:

Researchers confirmed the sighting of rare Thresher Sharks in the area's shallow waters. This incredible discovery has proven that decades of conservation efforts have resulted in a thriving marine ecosystem

cebudailynews.inquirer.net/665382/thres...

Fiji’s Coral Reefs Show Remarkable Recovery After Category 5 Cyclone SUVA, FIJI, October 21, 2025 - A new study led by WCS, University of the South Pacific, and partners has found that coral reefs in Fiji showed remarkable resilience after being battered by Category 5 ...

🪸Study shows Fiji coral reefs recovered rapidly from acute disturbance (Cat 5 Cyclone): sites losing up to 91% cover achieved near-baseline health in 4 years.

🪸Recovery hinged on strong ecological factors & key data for adaptive coral reef management.

newsroom.wcs.org/News-Release...

It's #InternationalSnowLeopardDay! 🐾

These majestic cats are vital to Asia's high-altitude ecosystems, but they remain a vulnerable species.

Today, we highlight the urgent need for international cooperation to protect the snow leopard and its fragile mountain home from poaching and climate change.

New cluster of Tapanuli orangutans discovered in Sumatra peat swamp CENTRAL TAPANULI, Indonesia — Since it was first described by scientists in 2017, the Tapanuli orangutan, one of the world’s rarest great apes, was believed to live only in the Batang Toru forest of I...

🦧 Scientists have discovered a new cluster of the Critically Endangered Tapanuli #Orangutan in a remote peat swamp. While vital for conservation, this small population is isolated & unprotected, demanding immediate habitat defence. #ProtectedAreas #Conservation

news.mongabay.com/2025/10/tapa...

83 snow leopards and rare species discovered in Himachal’s trans-Himalayas News & Views from Alternative Quarters

The recent Himachal Pradesh #SnowLeopard assessment confirms a robust population of 83 individuals, a testament to effective conservation efforts. This success story proves the critical importance of #ProtectedAreas for the survival of this keystone species:

www.counterview.net/2025/10/83-s...

It's #SaveTheKiwiWeek - Survival for New Zealand's iconic #Kiwi heavily relies on #ProtectedAreas! Outside of predator-controlled sanctuaries, only 5% of chicks survive. PAs and fenced zones are essential life support, boosting survival rates to ~65%!

@savethekiwi.bsky.social

Introducing the WDPCA Exciting changes are coming to Protected Planet in November, including a bringing together and rebrand of our flagship databases into the World Database on Protected and Conserved Areas.

#ProtectedPlanet is evolving!🌍

We're merging the WDPA & WD-OECM into the new World Database on Protected and Conserved Areas ( #WDPCA ). This simplifies reporting & boosts our ability to track KMGBF Target 3 (30% effective conservation by 2030).

Read More: ⤵️
www.protectedplanet.net/en/news-and-...

🌍#ProtectedPlanet October 2025 Update:

WDPA: is 305,645 (303,770 #ProtectedAreas), covering 244 countries & territories.

WD-OECM: is 6,631 (6,594 #OECMs), covering 15 countries & territories.

GD-PAME: No new #PAME records were added.

Read More: ⤵
www.protectedplanet.net/en/monthly-r...

Happy International #OctopusDay! 🐙 These highly intelligent ocean predators are critical to marine health. Protecting their habitats by supporting #MPAs and #OECMs is essential to securing their underwater home and their future. #OceanScience

📸 - @livescience.com

New species of gecko with curved fingers discovered in a dense forest Scientists discover a new species of gecko, Cyrtodactylus sakaeratensis, in the Sakaerat reserve, Thailand, confirmed by genetic analysis.

New species alert! 🦎 Scientists discovered the Sakaerat bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus sakaeratensis) in Thailand's #UNESCO Sakaerat #BiosphereReserve. This find underscores the critical role #ProtectedAreas play as hidden sanctuaries for unique life:

www.earth.com/news/new-spe...

#Greece is making waves in marine conservation, demonstrating that protecting the #Ocean can be an effective strategy for boosting a national economy.

Anchored by two major commitments: the expansion of #MPAs & the ratification of the #GlobalOceanTreaty:

greekcitytimes.com/2025/10/06/g...

When local communities manage protected Amazon rainforest areas, good things happen Local patrols in the Amazon are leading a conservation success story, protecting forests and wildlife against growing threats.

Amazing! 🙌 In the #Amazon, local communities are driving huge conservation wins. Protecting lakes means 86 acres of surrounding forest benefits for every 1 acre patrolled. True #OECMs, demonstrating the power of local empowerment! #CommunityConservation

www.earth.com/news/how-loc...

A truly sad day 💚 #ThankyouDrJane, for everything you have done for chimpanzee research and for inspiring others to protect wildlife through The Jane Goodall Institute UK.

Launch of New Guidance for Reporting Effectiveness Data to #ProtectedPlanet 📔

The GD-PAME has now been expanded to store information on assessment results, collating data gathered through a range of effectiveness assessment tools at the national & site level

www.protectedplanet.net/en/news-and-...