One of the world’s rarest tree species may have been given a second chance at survival. Scientists have managed to successfully collect and preserve seeds from the last known wild specimen growing on a remote Chilean island. The critically endangered tree, Dendroseris neriifolia, is native to the Juan Fernández Islands, a volcanic archipelago located about 673 kilometres (420 miles) off the coast of Chile. Once found widespread across Robinson Crusoe Island, the species has been pushed to the brink of extinction due to habitat loss, invasive species, erosion, grazing animals, fires and historical deforestation. Today, only a single known wild tree remains.In a major breakthrough for conservation efforts, seeds from the lone survivor have been transferred to the Millennium Seed Bank at Kew Wakehurst in England. Scientists at the facility are conducting germination trials while preserving the seeds for long-term storage.X-ray examinations showed that 25 of the 29 seeds sent to the seed bank were potentially viable. In promising results, seven seedlings have already begun growing at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, offering hope that the species can be propagated and safeguarded for the future.“Through this project, we hope to be able to produce more seed from the plants which we have growing now once they reach flowering age,” Alice Hudson, the Millennium Seed Bank partnerships officer at Kew Wakehurst, told Live Science.Collecting the seeds was no easy task. The last remaining tree clings to a steep cliff on Robinson Crusoe Island, accessible only after a four-hour journey followed by a challenging two-hour climb. Chilean park rangers must carefully navigate the rugged terrain and use ropes to reach the tree’s branches during the annual seed-collection season.Conservationists remain concerned about the species’ long-term prospects. With only one surviving wild individual, genetic diversity is extremely limited, raising the risks of inbreeding and low fertility. However, seed banking provides a crucial safety net. Even if the remaining wild tree is lost, scientists now possess viable seeds and young plants that could help revive the species.Researchers hope the seedlings growing in England will eventually flower and produce more seeds, paving the way for future restoration efforts and helping ensure that one of the world’s rarest trees does not disappear forever.

Scientists collected and preserved seeds from the last known wild Dendroseris neriifolia tree in Chile. Seven seedlings have already sprouted, offering hope for saving the species from extinction.

One of the world’s rarest tree species may have been given a second chance at survival. Scientists have managed to successfully collect and preserve seeds from the last known wild specimen growing on a remote Chilean island. The critically endangered tree, Dendroseris neriifolia, is native to the Juan Fernández Islands, a volcanic archipelago located about 673 kilometres (420 miles) off the coast of Chile. Once found widespread across Robinson Crusoe Island, the species has been pushed to the brink of extinction due to habitat loss, invasive species, erosion, grazing animals, fires and historical deforestation. Today, only a single known wild tree remains. In a major breakthrough for conservation efforts, seeds from the lone survivor have been transferred to the Millennium Seed Bank at Kew Wakehurst in England. Scientists at the facility are conducting germination trials while preserving the seeds for long-term storage. X-ray examinations showed that 25 of the 29 seeds sent to the seed bank were potentially viable. In promising results, seven seedlings have already begun growing at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, offering hope that the species can be propagated and safeguarded for the future. “Through this project, we hope to be able to produce more seed from the plants which we have growing now once they reach flowering age,” Alice Hudson, the Millennium Seed Bank partnerships officer at Kew Wakehurst, told Live Science. Collecting the seeds was no easy task. The last remaining tree clings to a steep cliff on Robinson Crusoe Island, accessible only after a four-hour journey followed by a challenging two-hour climb. Chilean park rangers must carefully navigate the rugged terrain and use ropes to reach the tree’s branches during the annual seed-collection season. Conservationists remain concerned about the species’ long-term prospects. With only one surviving wild individual, genetic diversity is extremely limited, raising the risks of inbreeding and low fertility. However, seed banking provides a crucial safety net. Even if the remaining wild tree is lost, scientists now possess viable seeds and young plants that could help revive the species. Researchers hope the seedlings growing in England will eventually flower and produce more seeds, paving the way for future restoration efforts and helping ensure that one of the world’s rarest trees does not disappear forever.

Scientists collected and preserved seeds from the last known wild Dendroseris neriifolia tree in Chile. Seven seedlings have already sprouted, offering hope for saving the species from extinction.

Scientists rescue seeds from THIS last remaining tree in wild before it goes extinct

A critically endangered western lowland gorilla has been born at London Zoo, the second of the apes to be born at the facility in a month, the zoo said on Tuesday.

Western lowland gorillas, which inhabit dense and largely remote rainforests in west and central Africa, are classified as having a high risk of becoming extinct.

Numbers have declined by more than 60 percent over the last 25 years, due largely to deforestation, poaching and disease, according to the Zoological Society of London.

The baby, whose sex has not been confirmed, was born on February 8 to mother Effie and was delivered in the gym area of Gorilla Kingdom.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/once-nearly-extinct-worlds-rarest-insect-now-thrives-in-thousands-in-us-679894">Once nearly extinct, world’s ‘rarest insect’ now thrives in thousands in US</a>

The baby gorilla's birth comes three and a half weeks after that of another infant to a gorilla called Mjukuu.

"We're over the moon to have a second gorilla infant born here at London Zoo in the space of a month," London Zoo's primates section manager Kathryn Sanders said.

"These babies are an important addition to the conservation breeding programme for this endangered species, and just as crucially, great additions to our troop."

Western lowland gorillas, which have brown-grey coats and auburn chests, are slightly smaller than other gorilla subspecies.

Watch:&nbsp;WION Climate Tracker: Animals relish Christmas treats at Zoo in London

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-climate-tracker-animals-relish-christmas-treats-at-zoo-in-london-539166/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

They also have wider skulls with more pronounced brow ridges and smaller ears.

They live in family troops, led by a male silverback, known to reach heights of up to 6 ft (182 cm) when standing upright.

The exact number of western lowland gorillas is not known as they inhabit some of the most dense and remote rainforests in Africa but the World Wildlife Fund estimates there could be about 100,000.&nbsp;

A critically endangered western lowland gorilla has been born at London Zoo, the second of the apes to be born at the facility in a month, the zoo said on Tuesday.

A critically endangered western lowland gorilla has been born at London Zoo, the second of the apes to be born at the facility in a month, the zoo said on Tuesday. Western lowland gorillas, which inhabit dense and largely remote rainforests in west and central Africa, are classified as having a high risk of becoming extinct. Numbers have declined by more than 60 percent over the last 25 years, due largely to deforestation, poaching and disease, according to the Zoological Society of London. The baby, whose sex has not been confirmed, was born on February 8 to mother Effie and was delivered in the gym area of Gorilla Kingdom. Also Read: Once nearly extinct, world’s ‘rarest insect’ now thrives in thousands in US The baby gorilla's birth comes three and a half weeks after that of another infant to a gorilla called Mjukuu. "We're over the moon to have a second gorilla infant born here at London Zoo in the space of a month," London Zoo's primates section manager Kathryn Sanders said. "These babies are an important addition to the conservation breeding programme for this endangered species, and just as crucially, great additions to our troop." Western lowland gorillas, which have brown-grey coats and auburn chests, are slightly smaller than other gorilla subspecies. Watch: WION Climate Tracker: Animals relish Christmas treats at Zoo in London They also have wider skulls with more pronounced brow ridges and smaller ears. They live in family troops, led by a male silverback, known to reach heights of up to 6 ft (182 cm) when standing upright. The exact number of western lowland gorillas is not known as they inhabit some of the most dense and remote rainforests in Africa but the World Wildlife Fund estimates there could be about 100,000.

Another critically endangered gorilla born at London Zoo

In a welcome development, a critically endangered species of bats, which was not sighted in 40 years, has been found in Rwanda. &nbsp;

The “incredible” discovery seems to have delighted conservationists, who feared it was already extinct. &nbsp;

The Hill’s horseshoe bat is currently surviving in Rwanda’s Nyungwe forest, the consortium behind the discovery said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/breakthrough-in-ageing-reversal-us-scientists-rejuvenate-tissues-in-mice-460254" hreflang="en">Breakthrough in ageing reversal? US scientists rejuvenate tissues in mice</a>

As there had been no information on the population of these mammals, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) had listed them as critically endangered in 2021. &nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
AFTER 40 YEARS, WE'VE REDISCOVERED HILL'S HORSESHOE BAT (𝘙𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘶𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪), A "LOST SPECIES" THOUGHT TO HAVE POSSIBLY BEEN EXTINCT. <a href="https://t.co/JxUZ9kpa7b">https://t.co/JxUZ9kpa7b</a> 
 
📷 Dr. Jon Flanders, Bat Conservation International <a href="https://t.co/TgQSqwkOPS">pic.twitter.com/TgQSqwkOPS</a>
— Bat Conservation International (@BatConIntl) <a href="https://twitter.com/BatConIntl/status/1501227443079704578?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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In a statement late on Tuesday, Jon Flanders, director, Bat Conservation International (BCI), said, rediscovering the lost species “was incredible. It’s astonishing to think that we’re the first people to see this bat in so long.” &nbsp;

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Volume up to hear the first ever recording of the Hill's horseshoe bat (𝘙𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘶𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪) echolocation call. This recording was taken during our expedition to find the "lost" species which had only been seen twice, last in 1981. 
 
📷 Dr. Winifred Frick <a href="https://t.co/dGgIlFNTpE">pic.twitter.com/dGgIlFNTpE</a>
— Bat Conservation International (@BatConIntl) <a href="https://twitter.com/BatConIntl/status/1501272386280194054?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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To hold surveys in the jungle in 2013, the Texas-based non-profit had partnered with the Rwanda Development Board and Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/new-explosive-shock-waves-driven-rocket-engine-developed-say-scientists-460146" hreflang="en">New explosive shock waves-driven rocket engine developed, say scientists</a> &nbsp;

After a 10-day expedition scouring the caves in the forest, the scientists found the bat in 2019. &nbsp;

“We knew immediately that the bat we had captured was unusual and remarkable. The facial features were exaggerated to the point of comical,” said BCI’s chief scientist&nbsp;Winifred Frick. &nbsp;

But it took another three years to verify the species. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In a welcome development, a critically endangered species of bats, which was not sighted in 40 years, has been found in Rwanda. The “incredible” discovery seems to have delighted conservationists, who feared it was already extinct.

In a welcome development, a critically endangered species of bats, which was not sighted in 40 years, has been found in Rwanda. The “incredible” discovery seems to have delighted conservationists, who feared it was already extinct. The Hill’s horseshoe bat is currently surviving in Rwanda’s Nyungwe forest, the consortium behind the discovery said. Also Read: Breakthrough in ageing reversal? US scientists rejuvenate tissues in mice As there had been no information on the population of these mammals, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) had listed them as critically endangered in 2021. AFTER 40 YEARS, WE'VE REDISCOVERED HILL'S HORSESHOE BAT (𝘙𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘶𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪), A "LOST SPECIES" THOUGHT TO HAVE POSSIBLY BEEN EXTINCT. https://t.co/JxUZ9kpa7b 📷 Dr. Jon Flanders, Bat Conservation International pic.twitter.com/TgQSqwkOPS — Bat Conservation International (@BatConIntl) March 8, 2022 × In a statement late on Tuesday, Jon Flanders, director, Bat Conservation International (BCI), said, rediscovering the lost species “was incredible. It’s astonishing to think that we’re the first people to see this bat in so long.” Volume up to hear the first ever recording of the Hill's horseshoe bat (𝘙𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘶𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪) echolocation call. This recording was taken during our expedition to find the "lost" species which had only been seen twice, last in 1981. 📷 Dr. Winifred Frick pic.twitter.com/dGgIlFNTpE — Bat Conservation International (@BatConIntl) March 8, 2022 × To hold surveys in the jungle in 2013, the Texas-based non-profit had partnered with the Rwanda Development Board and Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association. Also Read: New explosive shock waves-driven rocket engine developed, say scientists After a 10-day expedition scouring the caves in the forest, the scientists found the bat in 2019. “We knew immediately that the bat we had captured was unusual and remarkable. The facial features were exaggerated to the point of comical,” said BCI’s chief scientist Winifred Frick. But it took another three years to verify the species. (With inputs from agencies)

Not seen for 40 years, critically endangered bats’ species found in Rwanda

The study conducted by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Gabon’s National Park Agency (ANPN), and Vulcan, estimates that 95,000 forest elephants now live in Gabon, confirming it as the principal stronghold for this species, which is considered critically endangered by IUCN.

Study: Gabon is largest stronghold for critically endangered African forest Elephants

Eighty sea turtles took their first plunge into the ocean at a beach on the Colombian coast on Wednesday (October 14) after they were released by volunteers and conservationists.

Volunteers release 80 turtles back into sea on Colombian coast

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