Russian delegation stymies creation of Antarctic conservation area

Efforts at major conference in Tasmania stall despite evidence that such areas would save crucial foraging and breeding grounds for Antarctic wildlifeFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastA major international conference on the Antarctic marine environment has failed to agree on new conservation areas despite hearing evidence the southern continent is facing a range of crises, including historically low sea ice levels, plummeting wildlife numbers and the first cases of bird flu.Longstanding proposals to create nearly 4m sq km of marine protected areas did not receive consensus support largely due to opposition from the Russian government delegation, which arrived late due to visa-related delays and then repeatedly stalled discussions, according to multiple sources at the meeting in Hobart.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup