BASIC Studios
Giving Thanks
Conservation Successes: Celebrating Wildlife Recovery
Introduction
As experts, professionals, and everyday people navigate the pressing challenges of wildlife conservation, we should pause to celebrate the positive milestones. Let’s look at some good news for a change! Here are interesting recovery and resilience stories from ecosystems around the globe.
Species Recovery Milestones
In 1982, green sea turtles were put on the endangered list. Today, they have officially been moved to “Least Concern” classification. Wild tigers across forests and grasslands have seen a 70% increase from their historic lows in 2010 when only about 3,000 could be tracked compared with an estimated 100,000 a century earlier. Today, the population has recovered and approximately 5,700 are tracked. Due to unregulated fishing and overfishing, the population of Atlantic bluefin tuna hit critical levels in 2010 with a recorded 80% crash. In the Atlantic, it has risen back up to 60%, which is the percentage recovery to the sustainable biomass. These numbers are primarily recorded and analysed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the World Wildlife Fund.
We know how we got to these dangerously low numbers, but what are people doing to support Mother Nature and her creatures? In 2010, when the wild tiger population was at an all-time low, communities and organisations came together to establish the TX2 initiative. The goal: double the tiger population. Cameras were used to stop poachers in real time and monitor tiger movements across India, Nepal, and Russia. Specifically, the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tools, or SMART Cameras, were of great aid. These cameras were also integrated with high-tech tracking devices to give real-time updates about tiger nesting sites and movements in Belize and Southeast Asia. There was even an AI-powered Smart Shell, to monitor nesting grounds and alert to any illegal harvesting. In the fishing industry, marine software and similar AI tech are being used to monitor vessels, cross-reference with international databases, and alert and deploy authorities in real-time. One cheer for AI being used for good!
Rediscoveries
Thanks to dedicated and passionate scientists around the world we can welcome two new species to our biology books this year: the sailback houndshark (Gogolia folewoodi) from Papua New Guinea and the Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus) from Nepal.
The houndshark was only ever recorded once: in 1973, one pregnant female was found. For over fifty years we heard nothing more of this species… until now. Knowing where they live and having found the first male of the species helps the WWF and IUCN put in place measures to prevent devastation.
Anti-Poaching Developments
As mentioned, one of the major problems and obstacles to species recovery (that isn’t based on Mother Nature’s reactions to changing climates) is poaching. This means the illegal killing, trapping, and/or capturing of wildlife. It also extends to the illegal trafficking of parts or whole animals across international waters.
The rhino and pangolin have been targets for decades, but conservation efforts are finally making a dent in this awful trade.
In Kruger National Park, in South Africa, heavy militarisation has greatly diminished poaching of the African white rhino. Community involvement in the Masai Mara has encouraged locals to earn livable wages by protecting wildlife and introducing their home environments to tourists, rather than partaking in poaching for financial security. In 2025-2026, efforts have been focused across Africa to relocate large herds of rhinos into Rwanda and the Okavango Delta for protection. Ongoing battles for legislative changes have been ongoing for decades as well… but progress is slow.
The pangolin has been hunted since the late 1900s for its scales, which are used in traditional Chinese medicine. The meat procured from the four Asian species of the animal is also considered a luxury in parts of Eastern Asia and highly sought after still today. Now there is transatlantic trafficking of the four African species in addition to those from Asia. Luckily, in 2016, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species banned all commercial trading of the species. In 2020, China upgraded pangolins to its highest level of national protection and removed pangolin scales from the official list of traditional medicines. Traffickers continue to be stopped as well by K9 United deployed to their hotspots inNigeria, Gabon, and Vietnam. Unfortunately, legislative and policing efforts have not been enough to remove the pangolin from the IUCN list; they are endangered and on the brink of extinction.
Conclusion
Signing off with the good news! Let’s remember to protect and preserve all aspects of Mother Nature as much as we can, because we all share this space, creatures big and small, mobile and stationary.
- CITES Secretariat. Pangolins (Manis spp.): Status of Trade, Conservation, and Enforcement. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 2024.
https://cites.org/sites/default/files/documents/COP/20/resolution/E-Res-17-10-R20.pdf
- Concu, Adriano, et al. “First Documentation and Biological Insights into the Sailback Houndshark (Gogolia filewoodi) in Papua New Guinea.” Journal of Fish Biology, vol. 102, no. 4, 2023, pp. 845-852.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jfb.70196
- Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. Otter Conservation Action Plan for Nepal (2026–2035). Government of Nepal, Ministry of Forests and Environment, 2026.
- IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist Group. The Status of Global Pangolin Populations and the Implementation of CITES Appendix I. International Union for Conservation of Nature, 2025.
- SMART Partnership. Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) Mobile Users Guide v7. SMART Conservation Tools, 2025.
https://smartconservationtools.org/en-us
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Endangered Species Act Protections for Seven Pangolin Species: Final Rule.” Federal Register, vol. 90, no. 114, 2025, pp. 34211-34225.
https://www.fws.gov/international-affairs/pangolins.
- WWF International. The Comeback: How Nature Protection, Technology, and Funding Revived Tigers, Turtles, and Tuna. World Wide Fund for Nature, 2026.
Artist Spotlight: Kyan Red
While the nation watched a historic display of civic responsibility as blue states claimed a majority, states like Nebraska remained conservatively dominated. But at the Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA), the focus shifted to a different kind of Red. This weekend, MONA hosted a local artist showcase featuring the work of Kyan Red.
Kyan is a 33-year-old painter, hair stylist, and single mother of three. Her paintings, executed in a striking hyper-realism style, carry powerful messages ranging from body positivity and mental health to racial pride, identity, and female empowerment. Balancing her career and her family, Kyan works tirelessly to provide for her children while dedicating time to her passion. Her children and family serve as both her support system and her inspiration, often appearing as the subjects of her deeply expressive pieces.
You can see Kyan Red’s work here https://kyanred.com
The Blue Tsumani
Americans are waking to a giant blue tsunami in the 2026 midterm elections. Polls and predictions had Democrats poised to win the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate. The shocking reality was that it wasn’t just a blue wave; it was a blue tsunami. Democrats were even more shocked at wins in deep red states as they won control of the House and clinched the Senate majority.
The biggest surprise of the night was the red states flipping blue, which hasn’t happened in decades for some of these states. From San Antonio to Houston, there were celebrations after the blue wave hit Texas. Cheering in the streets and cars honking in celebration in Dallas showed the joy and positivity of voters flipping Texas to blue. One of the Democrats’ greatest accomplishments this election cycle was getting Kansas to elect its first Democrat in over ninety-four years. Iowa Democrats won the Senate, governorship, and three districts. North Carolina Democrats gained five seats in the House of Representatives and flipped their Senate seat blue.
Republicans on the other hand had expected Democrats to win back control of the House, but were surprised at Democrats taking control of the Senate. Many Republicans have now openly admitted that inflation and war were the two issues that cost them this election cycle. Yet, according to a PBS poll, voters nationwide cited government corruption as a major concern as they headed to the voting booths. Some Republicans are leaning towards pointing the blame back at President Trump, stating that he backed weak Republican candidates, while many Republican voters blame President Trump’s failure in delivering his promises on inflation, war, and gas prices. Regardless, the Democrats had one of the greatest turnouts and wins in recent history.
Both parties spent a historic amount of money on their campaigns. The race for the Senate alone spent nearly $2 billion via outside groups and independent committees (Reuters.com). The Republican-affiliated groups actually outspent the Democrats by 60%. In Texas alone the Republicans spent over $300 million to back Ken Paxton, current state attorney general, while Democrats spent just over $100 million campaigning for James Talarico. The world’s richest man, Elon Musk, poured out over $400 million for Republicans this election cycle.
Now, the current states that still need to complete their voting counts are Mississippi and Alaska. Those races are neck and neck, but nevertheless the Democrats will have control over the House and Senate. As of Saturday, November 7th the House of Representatives has 254 Democrats and 162 Republicans, while the Senate has 54 democrats and 44 republicans.
Will the change of power in Congress hold government corruption accountable starting in January? Voters are hoping so.
Sources:
https://www.reuters.com/graphics/US-ELECTIONS/GRAPHICS-BLOG/akpelkldzvr
We Are Thankful: Team Submissions
“This year, I got to meet Lore and all the lovely people from BASIC Studios, I also started a new experimental treatment for my chronic condition. We are surviving the worst timeline, but I still have hope.”
- Anonymous
“I’m thankful I got to see my family in Tennessee. I also got to meet some family in Florida; I haven’t seen them in a long time. I’ve missed my grandpa since his passing, but this loss has allowed my mom and me to become closer. I’m thankful for my job, even though it’s a pain sometimes. Currently, I’m working on a book of my own, which I’m excited to finish.”
- Ladeca
“2026 sent many changes in my direction—some delightful, some daunting, and some disheartening. I published a book, travelled abroad for the first time, and was promoted to a new position here at BASIC Studios. None of that would have been possible without my friends’ and family’s support. I’m currently enduring one of the most challenging seasons of my life thus far, and I’m not sure I’d have survived it up to this point without them.”
- Luna
“This year has come with ups and downs and lots of uncertainty. Through it all, I’ve met people and lost connection with others. I’ve learned new skills and grown as a person. I’ve tried and tried and tried again until I found a path that suits my personality, skills, and knowledge (I think). For all of this, I am grateful to be sharing this space on Mother Earth at this time with the people I know. It’s not always easy—but as Mr Sinatra says, “But I don’t let it get me down…’Cause this fine old world, it keeps spinnin’ around!”
- Sana
“This year has been a whirlwind of blessings. I went to see one of my favorite bands in concert, at the barrier, and let my inner teenager scream and shout all she wanted! My family and I went to France. We saw Euro Disney, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and ate all of the pastries we could. Summertime, my best friend came to see me for my 40th birthday. My son moved out on his own and started his life. I’m most grateful for his peace that he has found. I’m grateful my daughter is happy. I’m grateful for my family, and the wonderful friends I have kept and gained all these years. The last wonderful moment that happened this year was that I passed my citizenship test and will now be a citizen of both the U.S. and Canada. It was a big year of adventures! I am blessed to have had these, and so many more, experiences.”
- Kaie
“I am grateful for life. Breath. Existence. The ability to bring together people who love me. I was able to build BASIC because the people I brought together have placed their trust in me to guide them. They love me because I’m strong and kind, and because I gave them a safe space to be themselves.”
- Lore
Thank you everyone! Have a safe and healthy November! We will see you in December.
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