Civil society

Medieval Indian sculpture

U.S.’s Smithsonian Institution to return stolen medieval sculptures to India

By / / Good News For Humankind

The Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art is officially returning three ancient bronze sculptures to India after an internal investigation confirmed they were illegally removed from Tamil Nadu temples in the mid-twentieth century. In a unique collaborative agreement, the Indian government will allow one returned sculpture, a tenth-century Shiva Nataraja, to remain at the Washington museum on a long-term loan for educational display. This arrangement highlights a growing international commitment to decolonizing museum spaces, prioritizing transparent provenance research, and fostering cross-cultural cooperation to correct historical wrongs.

Bison

Wild bison return to Illinois prairie after nearly 200 years

By / / Good News For Humankind

In a historic moment for conservation, wild bison have returned to the Illinois prairie for the first time in nearly two centuries. The Nature Conservancy has successfully reintroduced a genetically pure herd to the Nachusa Grasslands, marking the first time wild bison have roamed east of the Mississippi since the 1830s. This ecological milestone aims to restore the health of the tallgrass prairie, as the bison’s natural grazing habits boost biodiversity and support other native species. The project offers a powerful model for rewilding and connecting communities with their natural heritage.

Ostrich

Ostriches return to Saudi Desert after 100 years in historic rewilding effort

By / / Good News For Humankind

In a major conservation victory, the red-necked ostrich is thriving once again in the Saudi Arabian desert after a 100-year absence from the wild. The population in the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Natural Reserve has surged to nearly 250 individuals following a successful reintroduction program. This initiative restores a key species to its ancestral habitat, where natural breeding has already begun with the hatching of wild chicks. The success signals a new era of effective rewilding and biodiversity protection in the Kingdom.

African children

Guinea worm disease on the brink of being eradicated worldwide

By / / Good News For Humankind

The global campaign to eradicate Guinea worm disease has achieved a record low, with only 10 human cases reported worldwide in 2025. This historic milestone brings humanity to the brink of wiping out its second-ever human disease. The success is driven by the Carter Center’s grassroots strategy, which relies on water filtration and community education rather than vaccines. Despite challenges with animal infections, key endemic regions like Chad have seen significant reductions, proving that persistent, low-tech interventions can defeat even the most debilitating ancient parasites.

Giant Panda

Giant pandas no longer endangered in historic conservation win

By / / Good News For Humankind

The giant panda has achieved a historic conservation milestone, officially moving from “endangered” to “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List. This status change reflects a 17% increase in the wild population over the last decade, with numbers now reaching 1,864 individuals. The recovery is the direct result of China’s massive investment in habitat restoration, bamboo reforestation, and successful captive breeding programs. This victory proves that sustained, science-based conservation can successfully pull iconic species back from the brink of extinction.

Bison on a plain

Major rewilding effort removes 100 miles of fencing across the Great Plains of Montana

By / / Good News For Humankind

Led by the American Prairie Reserve, this initiative relies on volunteers to clear abandoned barbed wire that endangers wildlife and fragments habitat. The removal reopens ancient migration corridors for species like pronghorn antelope and elk, allowing them to move freely across the landscape. This project restores the natural beauty of the prairie and serves as a powerful model for reconnecting fragmented ecosystems nationwide.

Mountain landscape with blue sky in background

More than 325,000 acres of Chilean Patagonia now protected after “remarkable” local fundraising

By / / Good News For Humankind

In a monumental victory for grassroots conservation, a local coalition has successfully raised 78 million dollars to purchase and protect approximately 328,000 acres of pristine wilderness in Chilean Patagonia. This massive area, known as Hacienda Pucheguin, is home to ancient alerce forests, glaciers, and endangered wildlife like the huemul deer. The initiative, led by the NGO Puelo Patagonia, prevents industrial development and establishes a new model for private conservation that integrates sustainable ecotourism and community stewardship.

Leopard in a tree

West Coast region of South Africa sees leopard return after 170 years

By / / Good News For Humankind

In a stunning conservation milestone, a Cape leopard has been spotted on South Africa’s West Coast for the first time in over 170 years. The historic sighting, confirmed by camera trap footage, signals a major recovery of the local ecosystem. The return of this apex predator suggests that natural wildlife corridors are reopening and prey populations are rebounding. This event is a powerful testament to the resilience of nature and the success of long-term habitat protection efforts in the region.

Syringe extracting from a vaccine vial

Malaria vaccine price cut set to protect 7 million more children by 2030

By / / Good News For Humankind

A landmark agreement between Gavi and UNICEF has secured a major price reduction for the R21 malaria vaccine, lowering the cost from $3.90 to under $3 per dose. This 25% price cut is expected to save $90 million, allowing for the purchase of 30 million additional doses. This financial breakthrough accelerates the goal of vaccinating 50 million children across Africa by 2030, providing a critical new tool to save lives and reduce the burden of this deadly disease.

Milu deer

China’s milu deer achieves stunning population recovery

By / / Good News For Humankind

The world is celebrating a monumental conservation success: the Pere David’s deer (Elaphurus davidianus) has made a remarkable recovery from near-extinction. This unique species, often called the “milu” or “elaphure,” was saved through decades of dedicated human effort and international cooperation. The global population has rebounded from a low of just 39 individuals to an estimated 8,200 today. This achievement demonstrates the immense power of conservation science and captive breeding programs.