The Art of Conservation

The amazing abundance of fish and corals -- 550 species, an astonishing 70% of the world's total -- is apparent in this underwater view of Raja Ampat.

The peacock mantis shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus), native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans, from Guam to East Africa, is believed to have the most complex eyes in the animal kingdom. Each is capable of depth perception and trinocular vision (humans have binocular vision, requiring two eyes to perceive depth). This allows the peacock mantis to detect semi-transparent prey, different coral patterns and the shimmering scales of hungry barracudas. They also have very powerful claws, known to break the glass of aquariums.

A community patrolman on his dugout canoe near the island of Batanta, Raja Ampat. Local communities, aware of the importance of reef habitats to their fisheries, have learned to patrol their waters to protect against cyanide and blast fishing -- two destructive forms of fishing developed in the last half century.

This handsome, slender-legged treefrog, while known to be a Osteocephalus, may be a new species. Discovered by Conservation International scientists on a recent trip to Para, Brazil, researchers are still trying to verify if it's ever been identified. With species going extinct every 20 minutes, many disappear without a trace. Since new animal finds have helped humans with everything from diffusing landmines to curing forms of cancer, no one knows what is lost to us when a species vanishes.

Brazil's Pantanal is home to over a 1,000 species of birds, such as this red and green macaw (Ara chloroptera). Unlike the dense forest canopy of the Amazon, the Pantanal's open environment makes wildlife viewing much easier. This is one reason Conservation International promotes ecotourism in the region as an important alternative to environmentally destructive forms of development.

See more new Brazilian species discovered by Conservation International.

The Northern muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus) is a critically endangered resident of Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. Less than 1,000 remain. To help revive them and other unique species, Conservation International helped create green corridors linking the remaining fragments of the Atlantic Forest, assuring animals have a wider home to roam. (The Nature Conservancy is also working to protect Brazil's Atlantic Forest.)

See more new Brazilian species discovered by Conservation International.

The panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) of Madagascar loves sunbathing and enjoys cockroaches. They change color for camouflage and to communicate. When carrying eggs, females turn dark brown or black with orange striping to tell males they aren't interested. When two males come into contact, they turn brighter colors to assert dominance. Often these battles end with the loser retreating, turning drab and dark.

Read more about Madagascar's extraordinary reptiles.

The masonjoany, a Malgasy face mask, softens the skin and protects from the sun. This woman sells traditional crafts and products to tourists in Berenty, in Southern Madagascar. CI and its partners provide financing and advice to ecotourism entrepreneurs. Securing long-term conservation results starts with finding ways for people to profit from leaving forests intact.

Read more about how natives of Madagascar protect local wildlife.

Endangered, the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) is believed to have shared the same ancestry as humans 6 million years ago, making it the closest living relative to human beings. Habitat loss, hunting for bushmeat and human disease are among the threats it faces. Sanctuaries, like Lwiro in the Democratic Republic of Congo, provide care for orphans. Nearly half of primate species worldwide are endangered.

Though capable of highly intimidating displays of power when threatened, the largest of the gorillas, Grauer's gorilla, is generally calm and non-aggressive. There are about 16,000 in the wild. All live in the Democratic Republic of Congo. War in the Congo has been a drain on tourism, a primary source of funding for the gorilla's protection.