Over 130 Governments Agree on Landmark Protections for Manta Rays, Jaguars, and Migratory Birds

In a major breakthrough for wildlife conservation, over 130 governments meeting at COP15 in Brazil have agreed on sweeping new protections for migratory species around the world. Manta rays, jaguars, and numerous migratory bird species are among the animals set to benefit from the landmark agreement.

The new measures include reduced bycatch in commercial fishing — a leading cause of death for marine migratory species — expanded protections for threatened species, and strengthened cross-border wildlife connectivity on land and sea. Critically, the agreement establishes "blue corridors" for sea turtles and marine species, and dedicated "flyways" for migratory birds.

“Manta rays, jaguars, and numerous migratory bird species are among the animals set to benefit from the landmark agreement.”

Birdlife International called the agreement "a major breakthrough for migratory birds," noting that dedicated flyway protections will help address the dramatic decline in bird populations along migration routes. The organization has been advocating for such protections for decades.

The agreement also focuses on habitat connectivity, recognizing that migratory species need continuous, protected pathways between breeding and feeding grounds. Fragmentation of habitats by roads, development, and agriculture has been a primary driver of migratory species decline.

Scientists noted that 49 percent of species covered by the Convention on Migratory Species are currently declining, underscoring the urgency of these new protections. The agreement represents a commitment to reverse these trends through coordinated international action.

The protections are designed to benefit not only wildlife but also the ecosystems essential to sustaining local communities. Healthy migratory species populations contribute to biodiversity, pest control, pollination, and the overall resilience of ecosystems that humans depend on for food security and livelihoods.