![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Giant-Otter-Pteronura-brasiliensis-Credit-Omar-Torrico-supplied-by-WCS-\u00a9\ufe0f.jpg\")
Giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) \u2013 Credit, Omar Torrico supplied by WCS \u00a9<\/p>\n Giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) \u2013 Credit, Omar Torrico supplied by WCS \u00a9<\/p>\n
132 representatives from world governments recently adopted a sweeping set of conservation measures aimed at protecting migratory species and their habitats worldwide.<\/p>\n
The 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) took place in Brazil this March, where 40 animals were granted special protections under one of the UN\u2019s premier wildlife conservation treaties.<\/p>\n
Protections were provided for animals of the seas, skies, and lands, from as small as a godwit bird to as large as the hammerhead shark.<\/p>\n
Among the animals that were listed in the treaty\u2019s appendices include two species of hammerheads, the thresher shark, two species of migratory Amazonian fish, the jaguar, striped hyena, giant river otter, snowy owl, manta rays, and Hudsonian godwit.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese listings send a clear signal that the global community recognizes the urgent need to act for species that depend on connected landscapes and waters that span borders,\u201d said Susan Lieberman, Vice President for International Policy at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), who gave a speech at the event\u2019s Plenary session.<\/p>\n
The CMS lists animals under Appendix I for migratory species threatened with extinction that require protections wherever they roam. Appendix II are those species that quality for protections under Appendix I, but which require specialized international collaboration to help facilitate or guarantee their movement across borders.<\/p>\n
Beyond simply listing the animals, multiple courses of action were agreed on, including the need to develop plans to help better ensure cross-border movement of freshwater fish, jaguars, and protections for migratory sharks from bycatch.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/The-great-hammerhead-shark-credit-Masayuki-Agawa-supplied-by-WCS.jpg\")
The great hammerhead shark \u2013 credit, Masayuki Agawa, supplied by WCS<\/p>\n
\u201cExpanded protections for striped hyena, snowy owls, giant otters, great hammerhead sharks, and many more, demonstrate that nations can act when the science is clear,\u201d said<\/a> CMS Executive Secretary Amy Fraenkel. \u201cOur duty now is to close the distance between what we\u2019ve agreed and what happens on the ground for these animals.\u201d<\/p>\n