The global conservation community hit an important milestone as CMS COP15 in Brazil expands protection to 40 species and doubles down on efforts to save migratory wildlife. The 15th Conference of the Parties wrapped up in Campo Grande on March 29, with countries making big decisions in response to stark scientific warnings. With new safeguards for everything from top predators to massive marine animals, this move highlights just how serious the biodiversity crisis has become as humans keep reshaping the planet.

Why Were 40 New Migratory Species Added to Protection Lists?

• Sharp decline in populations: Nearly 49% of migratory species are experiencing a decline in their populations, while 24% are directly under extinction risk, according to the State of the World’s Migratory Species Report (2026).
• Identification of high-risk species: The new list comprises species such as cheetahs, striped hyenas, snowy owls, giant otters, and great hammerhead sharks, which are under high ecological risk.
• Scale of extinction risk: In total, 188 migratory species are under extinction risk, which comprises: 103 bird species, 28 terrestrial mammals, 23 aquatic mammals, 26 species of fish, and 8 species of reptiles.
• Escalating risk: At least 26 species, which were already under protection, are now under higher risk, indicating a decline in their conditions despite previous protection efforts, with 18 species of shorebirds included in this category.

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What Are the Major Threats Driving Migratory Species Toward Extinction?

• Overexploitation: The uncontrolled rate of hunting and fishing activities remains one of the major extinction risks.
• Habitat loss and fragmentation: The increasing rate of agriculture and urbanisation leads to habitat fragmentation, affecting the migratory routes necessary for breeding and feeding.
• Marine threats: Millions of marine species die every year because of bycatch, and deep-sea mining has emerged as one of the major extinction risks; also, disturbances caused by plastic and noise disturb marine ecosystems.
• Climate change impacts: The rise in temperature and weather patterns affects the survival rate.

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The Effects of CMS COP15 on Global Conservation Efforts

The meeting included approval for multi-species conservation plans for the Amazon Basin, one of the most biodiverse but endangered areas of the world. In addition, it was estimated that there are 9000 Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) globally; however, almost 47% of these areas are not within the boundaries of protected areas, revealing a significant conservation gap.

CMS COP15 in Brazil expands protection to 40 species, representing an urgent moment for global governance of biodiversity. Despite the establishment of comprehensive protection and ambitious international frameworks, the ultimate success of these documents will depend on how quickly they are implemented and whether or not countries can continue to work together internationally to prevent additional losses of global biodiversity.

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