Everyone says no matter how many times you’ve been to Wildlife Conservation Network’s annual fall Expo, you always learn something new. This year, that proved true for me when I learned about the Amazon through a monster fish. João Vitor Campos-Silva from Instituto Juruá shared the incredible story of the arapaima, a leviathan so massive that nine people can stand side by side along a single specimen. Nearly fished to extinction in the Juruá River by the 1990s, these armored giants were brought back by the ribeirinhos—the people of the river—through community-based conservation. Today, arapaima populations have increased by 600 percent in protected areas, and the lakes function as community savings banks for local villages. It’s a powerful reminder that one of Amazonia’s greatest natural resources is its people, and the type of locally-led conservation WCN supports.
This October, Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN) brought together conservationists from around the world and our incredible community of supporters for two unforgettable days of connection, celebration, and conservation. From an exciting new event on October 3rd to our flagship Wildlife Conservation Expo on October 4th, we shared groundbreaking announcements, welcomed new partners, and reminded ourselves why this work matters, and why none of it would be possible without you.
Wild Night Out: A New Conservation Tradition
On October 3rd, WCN partnered with the California Academy of Sciences to host Wild Night Out, a special edition of the California Academy of Sciences’ signature event designed to welcome the public into the world of wildlife conservation. The evening brought together music, food, and hands-on learning in an atmosphere that was as fun as it was meaningful.
Wildlife Conservation Expo 2025: Key Highlights
On October 4th, we held our annual Wildlife Conservation Expo, welcoming over 60 conservationists from Botswana, Ecuador, Malaysia, and everywhere in between, along with hundreds of dedicated supporters.
Here are the major moments that made this year’s Expo truly special:
Honoring Dr. Jane Goodall
This year’s Expo held special significance as we gathered just days after the passing of Dr. Jane Goodall, a true conservation leader and dear friend to WCN. Jane was part of WCN from the very beginning, headlining our Wildlife Conservation Expos for years and inspiring audiences with her sharp wit, engaging stories, and unshakable optimism. In their opening remarks, WCN’s president and co-founder Charles Knowles and CEO Jean-Gaël “JG” Collomb shared wonderful memories and stories about Jane, reminding us of her belief that it is not too late to save wildlife and wild places. Her spirit of collaboration, hope, and optimism was woven throughout Expo, reminding us that every individual matters and every action counts.
Voices from the Field
Throughout the day, conservationists from across the globe took the stage to share their work protecting some of the world’s most endangered species. From WCN’s Wildlife Fund leaders discussing strategies to protect lions, painted dogs, and pangolins across borders, to panels on tropical rainforest conservation, marine life protection, and wildlife veterinarians. These presentations brought to life the challenges and triumphs of protecting wildlife. All Expo presentations are available on our YouTube.
Celebrating the Sea Otter Fund
One of the most exciting moments at Expo was learning more about WCN’s Sea Otter Fund, launched earlier this year. This once-in-a-generation initiative aims to restore sea otters to their historical range along the West Coast, from Northern California to Washington—an 800-mile stretch where they once thrived but are now completely gone. Tribes, fishing communities, scientists, and organizations like the Monterey Bay Aquarium are working hand-in-hand to bring these charismatic animals home and heal entire coastal ecosystems in the process.
Welcoming New Partners
We were thrilled to introduce two new Africa-based partners to the WCN family: the Hirola Conservation Program(HCP) from Kenya and the African Marine Conservation Organization(AMCO) from Cameroon. As our 27th and 28th Conservation Partners, they represent the continued growth of our global network and the power of locally-led conservation.
The Hirola Conservation Program (HCP) is an indigenous-led organization working to save the critically endangered hirola antelope in the border regions of eastern Kenya. Operating in areas where formal conservation efforts have been historically limited, HCP brings vital on-the-ground expertise to protect one of the world’s most threatened antelope species.
The African Marine Conservation Organization(AMCO) protects sea turtles, manatees, dolphins, whales, sharks, and rays through field surveys, community engagement, and citizen science programs. By empowering local fishermen to report wildlife sightings and reduce bycatch along the Cameroon coast, AMCO demonstrates how community-based monitoring can drive effective marine conservation.
You Make It All Possible
Conservation is incredibly difficult, with many challenges to overcome in order to have a positive impact. But the conservationists in our Network make it look easy thanks to their tireless diligence and expertise. We were honored to welcome them to the Expo stage, where we learned more about their work and how we can help them continue protecting wildlife.
As always, Expo is about more than just the wildlife we love. It’s about you, the people who make this work possible. Without your support and dedication to helping wildlife and the local communities who live alongside them, none of what we do would be achievable.
Thank you for being such an important member of our wonderful community. We hope you’ll join us at next year’s Wildlife Conservation Expo. Until then, the wild awaits, and with your support, its future has never looked brighter.
WCN is incredibly grateful to Disney Conservation Fund and Wilson Sonsini Foundation for their generous sponsorship.
We extend a special thank you to the California Academy of Sciences for hosting us at the Wild Night Out. Learn more about the Academy:
Academy Adventures invites you to explore Earth’s most vital ecosystems alongside leading experts in their fields. From dazzling coral reef dives to remote rainforest treks to real scientific research, each itinerary is immersive—and each Adventure is unforgettable.
Dr. Shannon Bennett, the Academy’s Chief of Science and presenter during Wild Night Out’s Penguin Conservation Spotlight, will be leading a trip to South Africa in July, 2026. During this adventure—from penguins on the coastline to safari wildlife—Dr. Bennett will illuminate the complex connections between species, habitats, and conservation, enriched by stories from the Academy’s collection of millions of specimens.”
The Regeneration Circle is a vibrant collective of Academy supporters ready for action and committed to being a force for nature! You will receive regular updates from our scientists, updates and discounts to Academy events, and learn about practical ways to regenerate the planet.