Australian citizen scientists urged to help track rabbit virus

STORY: Australian citizen scientists urged to help track rabbit virus SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 22, 2024 DATELINE: Feb. 22, 2024 LENGTH: 0:00:49 LOCATION: Canberra CATEGORY: SCIENCE SHOTLIST: 1. various of CSIRO Discovery centre 2. various of wild rabbits STORYLINE: Australians have been called upon to help the national science agency track rabbit diseases to help contain the invasive pest species. The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) on Thursday released new research showing that testing for the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) has expanded from fewer than 30 tissue samples annually to an average of 345 tested samples per year since the 2015 launch of the disease monitoring program. RHDV, also known as Rabbit Calicivirus or Lagovirus, is used as a biocontrol agent to manage feral rabbits, which are one of Australia's most destructive pest species. According to the CSIRO, feral rabbits cause plant diversity loss, compete with native animals for food and cost t

Over 100 white-lipped deer spotted in NW China nature reserve

STORY: Over 100 white-lipped deer spotted in NW China nature reserve DATELINE: Sept. 9, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:43 LOCATION: LANZHOU, China CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of white-lipped deer in Qilian Mountains National Nature Reserve STORYLINE: More than 100 white-lipped deer were recently spotted in Qilian Mountains National Nature Reserve, northwest China's Gansu Province. The white-lipped deer, a unique Chinese species under first-class national protection, lives in the area at elevations ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 meters. It primarily inhabits high-altitude grasslands within the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its surrounding areas. Notably, it has been classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Qilian Mountains National Nature Reserve in Gansu is rich in wildlife resources, serving as a hub of biological diversity in Northwestern China. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Lanzhou, China. (XHTV)

UN chief urges gov'ts, businesses to take bold action for sustainable future

STORY: UN chief urges gov'ts, businesses to take bold action for sustainable future DATELINE: May 23, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:37 LOCATION: UN headquarters CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of UN Headquarters 2. SOUNDBITE (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General 3. various of UN Headquarters STORYLINE: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday implored governments and businesses worldwide to reinforce their commitment and take decisive steps towards building a sustainable future. SOUNDBITE (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General "On the International Day for Biological Diversity, we reflect on our relationship with humanity's life-support system. From the air we breathe and the food we eat, to the energy that fuels us and the medicines that heal us, our lives are wholly dependent on healthy ecosystems. Yet our actions are devastating every corner of the planet. One million species are at risk of extinction -- the result of habitat degradation, skyrocketing pollution, and the wo

Fish fries released into China's Minjiang River

STORY: Fish fries released into China's Minjiang River DATELINE: May 22, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:37 LOCATION: FUZHOU, China CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of Minjiang River in Fuzhou 2. various of the event STORYLINE: The city of Fuzhou in China's Fujian Province recently released about 125,000 fish fries into the Minjiang River. It's part of the city's efforts to restore fishery resources and improve the ecological environment. The move came ahead of the International Day for Biological Diversity, which falls on May 22. Official figures show that since 2013, Fuzhou has released more than 7 billion fish fries of various aquatic species in water bodies of the city, which has effectively helped preserve biodiversity. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Fuzhou, China. (XHTV)

China seeks harmony between humans, wildlife

STORY: China seeks harmony between humans, wildlife DATELINE: May 22, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:48 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of wild Asian elephants in Yunnan 2. various of snow leopards in Tibet 3. various of Siberian tigers in Jilin STORYLINE: Monday marks the International Day for Biological Diversity. With the continuous ecological conservation efforts in China, endangered wild animal species, such as Asian elephants, snow leopards and Siberian tigers, have seen a rise in populations and expanded their habitats in recent years. Wild Asian elephants, a flagship species in the rainforest, are under A-level state protection in China. Thanks to protection efforts over the past decades, the population in the country has grown to about 300, mostly scattered around southwest China's Yunnan province. Known as the "king of snow mountains," the snow leopards are usually found at an altitude of 3,000 to 5,000 meters. In the Qomolangma National Nature Reserve in southwest China's T

Species with extremely small populations being saved in China

STORY: Species with extremely small populations being saved in China DATELINE: Dec. 17, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:28 LOCATION: MONTREAL, Canada CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. STANDUP (English): PENG ZHUO, Xinhua correspondence 2. various of the Yunnan Day activities 3. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): ZENG XIWEN, Senior Engineer in Yunnan Research Academy of Eco-environmental Sciences 4. various of Yunnan STORYLINE: As the most biodiverse province in China, the southwestern Yunnan shared its conservation strategy on the international stage. Yunnan showcased its achievements in conserving Species with Extremely Small Populations (SESP), at a side event of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in Montreal, Canada. STANDUP (English): PENG ZHUO, Xinhua correspondent "Now I'm at the China Pavilion at the second phase of COP15. It's Yunnan Day today. The first phase of COP15 was held in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province, in October last year." Yunnan int

Japan major importer of rare species

Japan major importer of rare species

TOKYO, Japan - Photo shows the Indian star tortoise, a rare species frequently imported to Japan. TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, has published a report designating Japan as one of the world's largest importers of rare wildlife as the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity meets in Nagoya.

Ecological protection efforts of E China's Jiangxi on display at COP15

STORY: Ecological protection efforts of E China's Jiangxi on display at COP15 DATELINE: Dec. 11, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:24 LOCATION: MONTREAL, Canada CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of the China Pavilion at COP15 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): ZHANG MENG, Researcher, Jiangxi Academy of Eco-environmental Sciences and Planning 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ABELARDO CASTILLO ROSAS, Specialist in human geography and wildlife, Intercultural Center for the Study of Deserts and Oceans STORYLINE: Ecological protection efforts of east China's Jiangxi Province are on display at the China Pavilion during the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) in Montreal, Canada. Through vivid pictures and cultural and creative products, audiences can get first-hand information on the protection of rare and endangered species in the province. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): ZHANG MENG, Researcher, Jiangxi Academy of Eco-environmental Sciences and Planning "We mainly share the bio

COP15 make-or-break moment for humankind, China's role crucial: UN biodiversity leader

STORY: COP15 make-or-break moment for humankind, China's role crucial: UN biodiversity leader DATELINE: Dec. 7, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:50 LOCATION: London CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of wild animals 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ELIZABETH MARUMA MREMA, Executive Secretary, UN Convention on Biological Diversity 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ELIZABETH MARUMA MREMA, Executive Secretary, UN Convention on Biological Diversity 4. various of COP15 held in Kunming 5. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): ELIZABETH MARUMA MREMA, Executive Secretary, UN Convention on Biological Diversity STORYLINE: The adoption of a post-2020 global biodiversity framework is top of the agenda at a major upcoming United Nations conference as the world faces "the greatest loss of species on Earth since the dinosaurs' demise." Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, executive secretary of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), made the remarks ahead of the second part of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) held from Dec. 7 to 19

UN conference on biological diversity pivotal for future of conservation

STORY: UN conference on biological diversity pivotal for future of conservation DATELINE: Dec. 3, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:40 LOCATION: LOS ANGELES, U.S. CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of the scenery of U.S. Channel Islands National Park 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JASMINE REINHARDT, Chief of interpretation and education at U.S. Channel Islands National Park 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ANNIE LITTLE, Supervisory natural resource manager at Channel Islands National Park 4. various of different plant and animal species in the U.S. Channel Islands National Park STORYLINE: The UN Biodiversity Conference will be held from Dec. 7 to 19 in Montreal, Canada, focusing on protecting nature and halting biodiversity loss. Countries from around the world will come together to agree on a new set of goals to guide global action through 2030 to halt and reverse nature loss. Jasmine Reinhardt, chief of interpretation and education at U.S. Channel Islands National Park, told Xinhua she expected to learn experiences and i

Saudi Arabia hosts Cirque du Soleil's "OVO" show in Riyadh

STORY: Saudi Arabia hosts Cirque du Soleil's "OVO" show in Riyadh DATELINE: Oct. 14, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:40 LOCATION: Riyadh CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Cirque du Soleil's "OVO" show STORYLINE: Riyadh hosts Cirque du Soleil's "OVO" show between October 12th and December 3rd, 2022. The OVO Show is an exciting experience, with acrobatics showcasing the unique personalities and abilities of selected insect species, as well as revealing the beauty of biodiversity in all its diversity. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Riyadh. (XHTV)

AUSTRALIA-LARGEST PLANT-DISCOVERY

AUSTRALIA-LARGEST PLANT-DISCOVERY

(220603) -- CANBERRA, June 3, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Photo provided by Rachel Austin from the University of Western Australia on June 1, 2022 shows the Posidonia australis seagrass meadow in Shark Bay, Western Australia, Australia. Australian researchers have discovered the world's largest plant off the country's west coast. In a study published on Wednesday, researchers from Flinders University in South Australia (SA) and the University of Western Australia (UWA) revealed they have discovered a seagrass stretching 180 km in Western Australia's Shark Bay. The researchers sought to understand the diversity of seagrass meadows in Shark Bay using genetic tools and were surprised to discover it was one vast organism of the Posidonia australis species. They estimate that it is at least 4,500 years old. (University of Western Australia/Handout via Xinhua)

GLOBALink | Rare species thrive in China through enhanced biodiversity conservation

Building a shared future for all life, the theme of the International Day for Biological Diversity 2022 that fell on Sunday, is a true portrayal of what China has been working on over the years. Produced by Xinhua Global Service

Rare species thrive in China through enhanced biodiversity conservation

STORY: Rare species thrive in China through enhanced biodiversity conservation DATELINE: May 22, 2022 LENGTH: 0:02:21 LOCATION: HEFEI/LANZHOU, China CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT/SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of STORYLINE: Building a shared future for all life, the theme of the International Day for Biological Diversity 2022 that fell on Sunday, is a true portrayal of what China has been working on over the years. Chizhou in east China's Anhui Province is a city along the Yangtze River, the longest river in Asia. It's located on a major global bird migration corridor. A total of 350 different bird species have been spotted here, breeding and foraging at ponds and lakes. Wang Shi, a bird conservation volunteer, has been protecting these creatures for years. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): WANG SHI, Bird conservation volunteer We're pretty impressed by the significant results after years of wildlife protection work. In Chizhou, we often go to schools and communities to advocate bird conservation. People's awareness of bird pr

South Africa, China have potential to cooperate more in conservation: scholar

STORY: South Africa, China have potential to cooperate more in conservation: scholar DATELINE: May 22, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:37 LOCATION: CAPE TOWN, South Africa CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. SOUNDBITE (English): Prof. DAVID WALKER, Department of Conservation and Marine Sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology 2. various of biological diversity b-rolls STORYLINE: The International Day for Biological Diversity falls on Sunday. A South African professor says South Africa and China have the potential to cooperate more in conservation and can learn from each other. SOUNDBITE (English): DAVID WALKER, Professor, Department of Conservation and Marine Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology "I think it's really good that it (COP15) has been held in China. I think China has really improved its conservation profile in recent years. There's been a lot of work done in recent times in China to preserve those iconic species like the panda in quite difficult circumstances, because China is ob

CHINA-SICHUAN-WOLONG NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE-BIRDS-GUARDIAN (CN)

CHINA-SICHUAN-WOLONG NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE-BIRDS-GUARDIAN (CN)

(220401) -- CHENGDU, April 1, 2022 (Xinhua) -- File photo taken by He Xiaoan shows a bird in Wolong National Nature Reserve, southwest China's Sichuan Province. He Xiaoan, 55, a staff in the Wolong National Nature Reserve, is also a bird watcher observing the species, habits and traces of birds here. Many of the photos he took on the 293 species of birds in Wolong have become valuable reference for the study of bird diversity. He hopes to inspire people with videos and photos he took to participate in the protection work of ecological environment and biodiversity of nature reserves. (He Xiaoan/Handout via Xinhua)

CHINA-SICHUAN-WOLONG NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE-BIRDS-GUARDIAN (CN)

CHINA-SICHUAN-WOLONG NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE-BIRDS-GUARDIAN (CN)

(220401) -- CHENGDU, April 1, 2022 (Xinhua) -- He Xiaoan crosses a river in Wolong National Nature Reserve, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 23, 2022. He Xiaoan, 55, a staff in the Wolong National Nature Reserve, is also a bird watcher observing the species, habits and traces of birds here. Many of the photos he took on the 293 species of birds in Wolong have become valuable reference for the study of bird diversity. He hopes to inspire people with videos and photos he took to participate in the protection work of ecological environment and biodiversity of nature reserves. (Xinhua/Liu Qiong)

CHINA-SICHUAN-WOLONG NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE-BIRDS-GUARDIAN (CN)

CHINA-SICHUAN-WOLONG NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE-BIRDS-GUARDIAN (CN)

(220401) -- CHENGDU, April 1, 2022 (Xinhua) -- He Xiaoan takes photos of birds in Wolong National Nature Reserve, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 23, 2022. He Xiaoan, 55, a staff in the Wolong National Nature Reserve, is also a bird watcher observing the species, habits and traces of birds here. Many of the photos he took on the 293 species of birds in Wolong have become valuable reference for the study of bird diversity. He hopes to inspire people with videos and photos he took to participate in the protection work of ecological environment and biodiversity of nature reserves. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)

CHINA-SICHUAN-WOLONG NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE-BIRDS-GUARDIAN (CN)

CHINA-SICHUAN-WOLONG NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE-BIRDS-GUARDIAN (CN)

(220401) -- CHENGDU, April 1, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Aerial photo shows a view of Wolong National Nature Reserve, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 23, 2022. He Xiaoan, 55, a staff in the Wolong National Nature Reserve, is also a bird watcher observing the species, habits and traces of birds here. Many of the photos he took on the 293 species of birds in Wolong have become valuable reference for the study of bird diversity. He hopes to inspire people with videos and photos he took to participate in the protection work of ecological environment and biodiversity of nature reserves. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)

CHINA-SICHUAN-WOLONG NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE-BIRDS-GUARDIAN (CN)

CHINA-SICHUAN-WOLONG NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE-BIRDS-GUARDIAN (CN)

(220401) -- CHENGDU, April 1, 2022 (Xinhua) -- He Xiaoan looks for birds in Wolong National Nature Reserve, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 23, 2022. He Xiaoan, 55, a staff in the Wolong National Nature Reserve, is also a bird watcher observing the species, habits and traces of birds here. Many of the photos he took on the 293 species of birds in Wolong have become valuable reference for the study of bird diversity. He hopes to inspire people with videos and photos he took to participate in the protection work of ecological environment and biodiversity of nature reserves. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)

CHINA-SICHUAN-WOLONG NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE-BIRDS-GUARDIAN (CN)

CHINA-SICHUAN-WOLONG NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE-BIRDS-GUARDIAN (CN)

(220401) -- CHENGDU, April 1, 2022 (Xinhua) -- He Xiaoan prepares equipment for observing and photographing birds in southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 23, 2022. He Xiaoan, 55, a staff in the Wolong National Nature Reserve, is also a bird watcher observing the species, habits and traces of birds here. Many of the photos he took on the 293 species of birds in Wolong have become valuable reference for the study of bird diversity. He hopes to inspire people with videos and photos he took to participate in the protection work of ecological environment and biodiversity of nature reserves. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)

CHINA-SICHUAN-WOLONG NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE-BIRDS-GUARDIAN (CN)

CHINA-SICHUAN-WOLONG NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE-BIRDS-GUARDIAN (CN)

(220401) -- CHENGDU, April 1, 2022 (Xinhua) -- He Xiaoan observes birds with telescope in Wolong National Nature Reserve, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 23, 2022. He Xiaoan, 55, a staff in the Wolong National Nature Reserve, is also a bird watcher observing the species, habits and traces of birds here. Many of the photos he took on the 293 species of birds in Wolong have become valuable reference for the study of bird diversity. He hopes to inspire people with videos and photos he took to participate in the protection work of ecological environment and biodiversity of nature reserves. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)

CHINA-SICHUAN-WOLONG NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE-BIRDS-GUARDIAN (CN)

CHINA-SICHUAN-WOLONG NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE-BIRDS-GUARDIAN (CN)

(220401) -- CHENGDU, April 1, 2022 (Xinhua) -- He Xiaoan sorts out his photos of birds at his office in Wolong National Nature Reserve, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 23, 2022. He Xiaoan, 55, a staff in the Wolong National Nature Reserve, is also a bird watcher observing the species, habits and traces of birds here. Many of the photos he took on the 293 species of birds in Wolong have become valuable reference for the study of bird diversity. He hopes to inspire people with videos and photos he took to participate in the protection work of ecological environment and biodiversity of nature reserves. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)

CHINA-SICHUAN-WOLONG NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE-BIRDS-GUARDIAN (CN)

CHINA-SICHUAN-WOLONG NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE-BIRDS-GUARDIAN (CN)

(220401) -- CHENGDU, April 1, 2022 (Xinhua) -- File photo taken by He Xiaoan shows a bird in Wolong National Nature Reserve, southwest China's Sichuan Province. He Xiaoan, 55, a staff in the Wolong National Nature Reserve, is also a bird watcher observing the species, habits and traces of birds here. Many of the photos he took on the 293 species of birds in Wolong have become valuable reference for the study of bird diversity. He hopes to inspire people with videos and photos he took to participate in the protection work of ecological environment and biodiversity of nature reserves. (He Xiaoan/Handout via Xinhua)

CHINA-SICHUAN-WOLONG NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE-BIRDS-GUARDIAN (CN)

CHINA-SICHUAN-WOLONG NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE-BIRDS-GUARDIAN (CN)

(220401) -- CHENGDU, April 1, 2022 (Xinhua) -- He Xiaoan observes birds with telescope in Wolong National Nature Reserve, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 23, 2022. He Xiaoan, 55, a staff in the Wolong National Nature Reserve, is also a bird watcher observing the species, habits and traces of birds here. Many of the photos he took on the 293 species of birds in Wolong have become valuable reference for the study of bird diversity. He hopes to inspire people with videos and photos he took to participate in the protection work of ecological environment and biodiversity of nature reserves. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)

CHINA-SICHUAN-WOLONG NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE-BIRDS-GUARDIAN (CN)

CHINA-SICHUAN-WOLONG NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE-BIRDS-GUARDIAN (CN)

(220401) -- CHENGDU, April 1, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Aerial photo shows He Xiaoan looking for birds in Wolong National Nature Reserve, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 23, 2022. He Xiaoan, 55, a staff in the Wolong National Nature Reserve, is also a bird watcher observing the species, habits and traces of birds here. Many of the photos he took on the 293 species of birds in Wolong have become valuable reference for the study of bird diversity. He hopes to inspire people with videos and photos he took to participate in the protection work of ecological environment and biodiversity of nature reserves. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)

CHINA-SICHUAN-WOLONG NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE-BIRDS-GUARDIAN (CN)

CHINA-SICHUAN-WOLONG NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE-BIRDS-GUARDIAN (CN)

(220401) -- CHENGDU, April 1, 2022 (Xinhua) -- He Xiaoan takes photos of birds in Wolong National Nature Reserve, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 23, 2022. He Xiaoan, 55, a staff in the Wolong National Nature Reserve, is also a bird watcher observing the species, habits and traces of birds here. Many of the photos he took on the 293 species of birds in Wolong have become valuable reference for the study of bird diversity. He hopes to inspire people with videos and photos he took to participate in the protection work of ecological environment and biodiversity of nature reserves. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)

Japan major importer of rare species

Japan major importer of rare species

TOKYO, Japan - Photo shows the Indian star tortoise, a rare species frequently imported to Japan. TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, has published a report designating Japan as one of the world's largest importers of rare wildlife as the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity meets in Nagoya. (Kyodo)

Brazil imports blue macaw female to breed in captivity

Brazil imports blue macaw female to breed in captivity

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Photo shows a female blue macaw Brazil has imported from Spain. Brazil hopes it will breed in captivity to help enlarge the genetic diversity of the world's most threatened species of bird, the federal environmental agency Ibama said Sept. 23. (Kyodo)

Talking of fish?

Talking of fish?

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko chat with each other during a reception of an international symposium on fish diversity held Feb. 24 at the National Science Museum in Ueno, Tokyo in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the emperor's ascension to the throne. The emperor, a member of the Ichthyological Society of Japan, has been involved in researching the taxonomy of gobies, a species of small fish.