Oct. 29, 2026 -Sailing toward the Danger Islands, Dr. Ralph Vanstreels had a good idea of what he might find: A lot of dead Adélie penguins.

It was March 2024 and a virus had been sweeping through the area, leaving deceased birds in its wake.

Vanstreels got the crime right but the culprit wrong. There were dead penguins but a virus was not to blame.

Oct. 28, 2026 -The point where land meets sea at Ayetoro, in southwestern Nigeria, is marked by the skeletons of now-submerged landmarks. Birdcalls, crashing waves, and the sounds of local fishing boats’ outboard engines wash over the crumbling remains of old buildings as well as a wetland that’s a vital stopover and wintering site for migratory waterbirds like Eurasian curlews, whimbrels, and common sandpipers.

These birds are just some of the billions that travel vast distances each year in their annual migration between breeding sites far to the north and warmer climates during the Northern Hemisphere winter.

Oct. 28, 2026 -The battle over where to put data centers is heading below the waves: the Trump administration is considering proposals to build two massive underwater data centers off the country’s coast. The sites selected for the projects—one in Cook Inlet, Alaska, and one in the Gulf of Maine—are smack in the middle of two endangered whale populations’ habitats.

Whales are “skittish animals,” says Arial Brewer, a beluga researcher at the University of Washington and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “A massive-scale project like this could really stress them out in a lot of different ways.”

Oct. 26, 2026 -River dolphins remain among the world’s most endangered species, whether swimming in the New World or the Old. Yet for now, things are looking up for these gentle creatures considered sacred by the people living along a stretch of the Mekong River in Cambodia, as the most recent calving season produced six beautiful baby dolphins.

Local communities along the Mekong River have long held these dolphins in deep reverence, seeing them as spiritual guardians of the waters that sustain their families and livelihoods. The successful arrival of six new calves brings renewed hope to conservation efforts that have been ongoing for years along this precious stretch of river.

Oct. 25, 2026 -Forest and peatland wildfires continue to burn across the island of Borneo, endangering the air quality for both humans and wildlife—and torching the food supply for critically endangered orangutans. Fortunately, thanks to an 18-year nonprofit that focuses on primate rescue and conservation in Indonesia, a total of 53 orangutans have been rescued from the fires.

The dedicated team has worked tirelessly to locate and transport the vulnerable animals to safety, ensuring they receive the care they need after the trauma of the fires.

Oct. 23, 2026 -A tiny orphaned Pacific walrus calf has found new hope after being discovered alone on a remote northern Alaska beach. The five-month-old male calf, named Annautaq, weighed about 220 pounds when he arrived at SeaWorld Orlando.

SeaWorld’s expert animal care and veterinary team now provides him with around-the-clock attention and nurturing. Only four US institutions currently have the specialized resources needed to care for walrus calves like Annautaq.

Oct. 22, 2026 -Just one year after ecological restoration efforts on Samoa, forests, wildlife, and food resources are showing remarkable signs of recovery.

Nu’utele Island is considered a Key Biodiversity Area for Samoa, and is home to one of the country’s most pristine native forests teeming (usually) with native species.

Oct. 22, 2026 -Nine years ago, Paul and Sarah Bookbinder were asked if they could take in two abandoned and injured raccoons. Paul, a veterinarian who focused on cats and dogs, was willing — but there was one problem: He knew nothing about treating raccoons.

The Bookbinders agreed to keep the baby raccoons, known as kits, in their bicycle shed while they searched for a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. They expected the arrangement to be temporary. Instead, they quickly became attached to the kits, whom they named Stanley and Laurel.

Oct. 20, 2026 -Known for their distinctive black-ringed eyes, lipstick-like mouth markings and timid, elusive nature, the vaquita is the world’s rarest marine mammal. Last year’s survey—carried out by a team of international scientists and state environmental officials—estimated just seven to 10 remain in the waters of Mexico’s Upper Gulf of California.

Yet Mexican authorities announced last week that they were rolling back 2020 protections for the globally adored porpoise. Having declined from more than 550 in 1997 to just a handful today, conservationists warn the vaquitas’ future hangs in the balance.

Oct. 20, 2026 -Federal lawmakers want to ban imports of wild sloths to the United States, a move experts say could have global implications for the conservation of the tree-dwelling species.

Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-Fla.) is set on Tuesday to introduce a bill, co-sponsored by Laurel Lee (R-Fla.), known as the “SLOTHS Act”—Stopping Legalized Organized Trafficking and Harm to Sloths. It’s a reaction to mass sloth deaths at a planned attraction in Orlando.

Oct. 19, 2026 -Across hundreds of miles of the northern Gulf of Mexico, a deep-water ecosystem collapsed after the massive 2011 Deepwater Horizon oil and gas spill, and recovery is uncertain, new research concludes.

The study, published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that animal populations, including octopus, krill, squid and shrimp declined by 60 to 85 percent in the three-and-a-half years after the spill, with few signs of recovery since. Krill and lanternfish, both foundational species in the Gulf’s food web, were among the hardest hit. The findings also suggest that the die-off is causing genetic bottlenecks that could further hinder ecosystem recovery.

Oct. 19, 2026 -An Lambrechts is a biodiversity politics expert at Greenpeace International with extensive experience in biodiversity-related multilateral negotiations. She is the head of the Greenpeace delegation at the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP17 happening in Yerevan, Armenia.

In 2022, COP15 delivered the landmark Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. With COP17 starting in Yerevan, we are now halfway to the deadline, and according to the first Global Review of progress, countries are not on track to meet the biodiversity targets, and implementation must accelerate fast.

Oct. 17, 2026 -A southern ground hornbill at a Netherlands zoo has become the first bird in the world to receive 3D-printed prosthesis on both its upper and lower beak.

"A bird that loses part of its beak loses much more than just a piece of its appearance," the zoo said on social media. "For the southern hornbill in Artis, it meant that he could not take care of himself and could not pick up more difficult food from the ground."

Oct. 17, 2026 -A wind from the sea drove droplets of condensing vapor against the gorse-covered hillside. My overshirt was soaked and my glasses frosted with a layer of fine mist. Far below, New Zealand’s capital city of Wellington was obscured by the cloudbank from which the country derives its original name: Aotearoa, “land of the long white cloud.” My companions, local conservation biologists, were packing away a radio antenna and reining in a dog.

I was holding a four-month-old kiwi.

Oct. 16, 2026 -The drones were supposed to help keep swimmers safe from sharks. But almost no one could believe it when the footage showed gatherings of up to 100 young hammerheads swimming in the shallow waters off some of Australia’s most popular beaches.

For a species teetering on the brink of extinction, these crowded coastal waters may be far more important than anyone realized.

Oct. 8, 2026 -Two juvenile humpback whales stranded on sandbars off New York's Fire Island returned to open water, with one helped by rising tides and crews that responded, including the U.S. Coast Guard.

Coast Guard personnel responded to a report of a whale stranded in shallow waters at about 8:30 a.m. Their first concern was determining whether the animal was alive.

Oct. 16, 2026 -As autumn settles across the wide Montana plains, a gentle wind carries the low rumble of hooves. A herd of American bison, once nearly lost to history, now moves in quiet triumph across open grasslands that stretch farther than the eye can see.

The nonprofit American Prairie, steward of the nation’s largest private conservation initiative, announced that its free-roaming bison population has passed the 1,000 mark for the first time in the organization’s twenty-plus-year history.

Oct. 13, 2026 -Imagine an insect the size of your hand. Its body stretches nearly 10 centimeters (4 inches), while its spiny legs can span twice that distance. It has no wings, can’t fly, and looks like something that crawled out of a prehistoric forest.

Meet the w?t?punga, New Zealand icon and the world’s heaviest known orthopteran—relative of crickets and grasshoppers. Adult females can weigh around 35–40 grams, roughly as much as a small mouse. One exceptionally large, egg-carrying female weighed a staggering 71 grams (2.5 ounces). And despite its intimidating appearance, this nocturnal giant spends much of its life hiding among leaves and feeding on vegetation.

Oct. 13, 2026 -Jonathan is blind, but the 194-year-old giant tortoise knows it’s time to eat when he hears Joe Hollins call his name.

Jonathan chomps at the air, expecting Hollins to feed him pears, cucumbers or carrots. But a few times in recent years, Hollins, a veterinarian, tricked Jonathan and slid a cotton swab into the giant tortoise’s mouth to get a saliva sample.

Oct. 13, 2026 -Wyoming wildlife managers are reporting that no black-footed ferrets are being detected in the cradle of the species’ conservation: the Absaroka Range foothills outside of Meeteetse, where the ferrets were saved after presumed extinction in the 1980s.

A tough combination of plague and drought — both big issues for the embattled western species — are suspected causes of a population collapse in the Meeteetse area, where wildlife managers returned ferrets to the wild in 2016 after a three-decade-long absence

Oct. 12, 2026 -On one of the world’s most remote island groups, a population of penguins has been hiding an evolutionary secret.

They look almost identical to other gentoo penguins, with their black-and-white plumage, bright orange beaks and distinctive white markings above the eyes. But their DNA tells a very different story.

Oct. 11, 2026 -Queen conch larvae drift for two to three weeks before settling into seagrass, where their first food grows on the thin green blades. This is where they spend most of their first year, buried in the sand.

In the Exumas region of the Bahamas, just south of East Sampson Cay, Shedd Aquarium researchers recorded the third-highest mean density of juvenile conch among the sites in a 2019 survey.

Oct. 10, 2026 -A new species of rhino has arrived in Denver.

The Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance welcomed two southern white rhinos — 3-year-old Mkuu and 4-year-old Viazi — after months of planning and updates to the zoo’s historic pachyderm habitat, zoo officials shared Saturday. The zoo announced the planned arrival of the new rhino species in late August.

Mkuu is Swahili for “prince,” and Viazi is Swahili for “potatoes,” the zoo said.

Oct. 9, 2026 -The Supreme Court once billed the Endangered Species Act as “the most comprehensive legislation for the preservation of endangered species ever enacted by any nation.” Federal protections have been key to saving nearly 300 U.S. species — including the bald eagle, American alligator, and grizzly bear — from permanent extinction.

Each year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which is primarily responsible for implementing the law, evaluates species and lists them as “endangered” or “threatened.” When federal activity or private development has the potential to harm a listed species or its habitat, project developers are required to consult with the Service or obtain a permit prior to construction.

Oct. 8, 2026 -On the last day before her death, Amani the reticulated giraffe enjoyed her favorite things: eating lettuce from guests, hanging out with her best friend, Lakeisha, and munching on crackers.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo staffers euthanized Amani on Wednesday because of a decline in her health, the zoo announced in a news release. At 26 she was the oldest giraffe at the zoo and the ninth-oldest giraffe in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The median life expectancy for a giraffe in human care is 20 years, according to the association.

Oct. 8, 2026 -A new report paints a dark picture of the state of global wildlife—but also highlights flickers of light where some populations are on the upswing.

Over the past half-century, populations of thousands of vertebrate species across the globe have decreased in size by 73 percent on average, according to the “Living Planet” report published Wednesday by the nonprofits World Wildlife Fund and the Zoological Society of London. A number of factors contributed to this precipitous decline, including habitat loss, overexploitation and climate change.

Oct. 8, 2026 -Scientists studying longevity just welcomed an extraordinary new research partner: a 194-year-old giant tortoise named Jonathan. The gentle reptile, who lives on the remote island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic, is now the first of his kind to share his complete epigenome with researchers investigating how living creatures age so gracefully.

Researchers say Jonathan’s genetic profile mirrors patterns seen in healthy, long-lived humans, offering a fresh perspective on aging across species. His advanced age and stable health have given scientists a rare biological benchmark that may help unlock secrets of vitality well into the later decades of life.

Oct. 6, 2026 -Across regions where elephants roam, a group of dedicated women is quietly reshaping how conservation works. Their focus is on involving entire communities in protecting these gentle giants.

By building trust and sharing knowledge, they encourage neighbors to see elephants not as threats but as part of a shared future. Simple, respectful actions are making a lasting difference.

"Working together, we can protect the land and the animals that call it home."

Oct. 5, 2026 -In a lush corner of Virunga National Park, the morning mist still clings to the treetops when a tiny hand reaches up to touch a mother’s face. That mother is no ordinary ape—she is one of the very first eastern lowland gorillas ever to be rescued as an orphan, nurtured back to health, and returned to the wild.

Her name is kept gentle and private by the field team, yet her story is already legendary among conservationists. After losing her own family to poachers, she was bottle-fed, taught to climb, and eventually released into the very forest that once held her captive in fear. Years later, she found a mate, built a nest, and on May 21st she delivered new life under those same branches

Oct. 5, 2026 -‘When I accidentally catch a shark, I bring it to my dogs,” Henrik Jensen, a 27-year-old from Greenland’s west coast, says casually. “I don’t let it back down because [the sharks] bully me and cut my lines.”

Jensen has fished for halibut in Ilulissat, Greenland’s third largest town, for a decade. He works an hour north of the town’s main iceberg-laden fishery, which sustains the livelihood of nearly 400 fishers. There, the halibut are bigger and more plentiful, but so are the Greenland sharks.

Oct. 4, 2026 - In just the past few weeks Indians have been mauled by tigers (in the west), attacked by leopards (in the north) and trampled by elephants (in the east). Like so many tragedies that occur with depressing frequency in the country—stampedes and bridge collapses are other good examples—these deaths highlight the failures of the state. Yet, in an odd way, they also reflect its successes. Indians are running into wild animals more often because India has become remarkably good at protecting them.

Oct. 4, 2026 -Colorado is in peak wildlife crash season, according to the Colorado State Patrol.

For many species, it is also peak mating season, and CSP officials said animals are more likely to be crossing roadways.

Some of the highest-risk areas include parts of I-70, I-25 and US-285 in Morrison.

Oct. 3, 2026 -High in the Rockies, a sweeping overpass has become a quiet hero for both wildlife and motorists. The structure lets elk, mule deer, and other animals travel safely above the asphalt, sparing them from the dangers below.

Since the bridge opened, state officials have recorded a 91 percent drop in wildlife-vehicle collisions along that stretch of highway. The dramatic reduction has thrilled both conservationists and drivers who once braced for sudden encounters at night.

Oct. 1, 2026 -Three years after the illegal felling of one of Britain’s most beloved trees, fresh aerial images reveal the stump is thriving once again. The famous sycamore, which stood for over 150 years in a gap along Hadrian’s Wall, is proving that life finds a way.

The new growth, known as basal sprouts, has emerged in a beautiful ring around the stump. These shoots have grown rapidly, already reaching impressive heights that have surprised and delighted conservationists and visitors alike.

Sept. 30, 2026 -England’s coastline now hosts a thriving wetland reserve where rolling fairways once stretched. The National Trust’s Sandilands site welcomed plovers, terns, avocets, and lapwings even before the gates opened to visitors.

Grounds once maintained for sport now brim with native grasses and shallow pools. These restored habitats provide quiet nesting spaces and abundant food for coastal birds returning in increasing numbers.

Sept. 30, 2026 -The mother’s hands were peeling from walking on the torched ground. Her eight-month-old baby, which clung to her side, was dehydrated and thin. The pair, named Mama Abu and Abu (“ash” in Indonesian), were found in an oil palm subsidiary estate, rescuers say.

The orangutan pair were saved last month from wildfires that are devouring Indonesia’s forests and peatland, unleashing thick smog, and destroying the habitat of some of the planet’s most vulnerable species.

Sept. 30, 2026 -England’s coastline now hosts a thriving wetland reserve where rolling fairways once stretched. The National Trust’s Sandilands site welcomed plovers, terns, avocets, and lapwings even before the gates opened to visitors.

Grounds once maintained for sport now brim with native grasses and shallow pools. These restored habitats provide quiet nesting spaces and abundant food for coastal birds returning in increasing numbers.

Sept. 30, 2026 -Colorado Parks and Wildlife says the state's grey wolf population may not grow this biological year, and it is suspending its directive on how to handle chronic depredation.

They said they will evaluate requests to lethally remove wolves more conservatively because of population concerns. Under the Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan, CPW says it is taking an adaptive, context-specific approach to wolf management.

Sept. 29, 2026 -In the 1990s, conservationists in Cambodia feared the Siamese crocodile had disappeared for good. Fishing and hunting had devastated the species throughout the 20th century, leaving populations across its native south-east Asia on the brink of extinction.

But in villages dotted among the wetlands of the remote Cardamom mountains, Indigenous Chorng communities still reported seeing them. Passing this knowledge to researchers surveying the area in 2000 led to an official recording of the species – and bolstered the mission to revive the population.

Sept. 29, 2026 -In the heart of Borneo, a simple pay-per-picture plan is turning hunters into heroes for endangered wildlife. Villagers in nine communities across Indonesia’s West Kalimantan province now receive cash rewards for snapping photos or recording the calls of orangutans, hornbills, and other protected species.

Each verified image or sound file brings extra income to families who once relied on hunting. The program replaces traps and snares with smartphones and patience, offering both financial stability and a renewed sense of pride in the surrounding rainforest.

Sept. 29, 2026 -In the 1990s, conservationists in Cambodia feared the Siamese crocodile had disappeared for good. Fishing and hunting had devastated the species throughout the 20th century, leaving populations across its native south-east Asia on the brink of extinction.

But in villages dotted among the wetlands of the remote Cardamom mountains, Indigenous Chorng communities still reported seeing them. Passing this knowledge to researchers surveying the area in 2000 led to an official recording of the species – and bolstered the mission to revive the population.

Sept. 27, 2026 -On a cold and overcast spring morning, Katie Fite stood in one of the country’s last sage-grouse strongholds, contemplating the wooden stakes in the ground that she fears warn of its destruction.

Every spring, males of the chunky bird species with spiky tail feathers come to a dwindling number of locations to strut, pop their inflatable white neck pouches and make a “paloop, paloop” sound in an attempt to court a mate.

Sept. 27, 2026 -Bryan Watts has spent more than three decades watching ospreys reclaim the Chesapeake Bay, returning each spring from South America to crowd its tidal rivers and creeks, shorelines, channel markers and nesting platforms. The William & Mary biologist followed their recovery from the DDT era as the bay became home to the world’s largest breeding population of ospreys.

Sept. 24, 2026 -Have you ever wondered what it is like to stand face to face with a creature so powerful yet so achingly human in its gaze? Imagine, for a moment, being in the heart of Africa’s mystical forests, surrounded by towering trees and the ethereal sounds of nature. And there, in that sacred realm, you find yourself in the presence of gorillas – these gentle giants, our kin in the animal kingdom, who hold a mirror to our own humanity. It i a question that tugs at the soul: What is it like to share a moment, a connection, with these magnificent beings?

Sept. 24 2026 -In the heart of Mississippi, a dedicated wildlife rescue team has turned their facility into a unique training ground for orphaned baby raccoons.

The center’s innovative approach focuses on preparing these vulnerable creatures for successful lives in the wild through careful guidance and care.

Sept. 24, 2026 -When Alistair and Diane Gould bought Furnace Brook in 2013, they had big plans. It was an idyllic spot: a stream-fed fishing lake nestled in a secluded valley in the High Weald, East Sussex, surrounded by woodland and fields. “People loved to come fishing here because it’s so beautiful,” says Diane. “Some of them had been coming for so many years that they got to know the individual fish.”

Diane moved here from Kent in 2000, when Furnace Brook was owned by a distant relative. Her two younger sons, then 10 and 14, flourished. They would chat to the anglers about the fish they were catching and throwing back in, and sell them bacon sandwiches

Sept. 23, 2026 -Scientists can tell within days whether a grove of trees has been felled anywhere in the world, thanks to satellite imagery. But when it comes to knowing what’s happening in real time to the species that live there, researchers remain woefully blind.

“We have good technology that can monitor forests from above,” says Emiliano Ramalho, an ecologist and scientific director for the Mamirauá Institute for Sustainable Development, a Brazilian nonprofit research organization working in the Amazon rainforest. “But this does not monitor what’s under the canopy.”

Sept. 23, 2026 -The stench of decay announces death—but Rafflesia plants turn it on like a neon sign. Forty-two parasitic species exude the smell of rot to lure insects, thriving under the guise of death. From a distance, the flowers could be mistaken for something long past its prime, their massive blooms draped across the forest floor. Up close, the effect is even more striking: a putrid, almost tangible odor that seems to hang in the air, signaling that something is very, very wrong. This foul aroma isn’t accidental—Rafflesia cranks out the scent of rotting flesh like a siren call, drawing in carrion flies to carry out the plant’s reproductive work.

Sept. 20, 2026 - Ten lions were found dead in Tanzania's Ngorongoro wildlife reserve this ?week and preliminary findings suggest they mayhave been poisoned, the area's management authority said.

The deaths raise concerns over the conservation of lions in ?one of Africa's most renowned wildlife ecosystems. Poisoning has been a recurring threat to ?large carnivores across parts of East Africa, often linked to conflicts between predators and livestock owners.

Sept. 18, 2026 -The rolling, mist-covered cloud forests of Bolivia have gifted the world something extraordinary: a brand-new species of wildcat, the first such discovery in more than a hundred years.

Researchers who spent months trekking through dense undergrowth and listening for unfamiliar calls finally came face-to-face with the petite feline locals call the Tilcayo.

Sept. 18, 2026 -America’s centuries-old conflict with wolves took another turn earlier this month when President Trump ordered the animals be stripped of federal protections across several U.S. states, claiming the action will provide economic relief for ranchers.

Alongside a suite of regulatory reviews to “promote financial viability” for ranchers, Trump ordered the Interior secretary to begin the process of removing gray and Mexican wolves from the endangered species list, and directed the Agriculture secretary to encourage states to make it easier for ranchers to shoot wolves.

Sept. 17, 2026 -For the second year in a row, Antarctica’s industrial krill fishing fleet halted operations ahead of schedule after reaching its seasonal catch limit.

The vessels had been harvesting the tiny shrimp-like crustaceans from waters around the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Orkney Islands, located about 400 miles north of the peninsula. Under current rules, the fleet must stop fishing once it collectively harvests 620,000 tons of krill.

Sept. 16, 2026 -A series of reintroductions have seen the bison return to a landscape in Mexico’s Chihuahua Desert after a 200 year absence. Having acted as ecosystem anchors for the vegetation in this vital biosphere reserve for millennia, their return is seen as a major step towards fortifying the area’s sensitive arid grasslands.

A vast bison herd is once again roaming free across the desert, where they play an essential role in maintaining the balance of the fragile ecosystem. Their grazing patterns help spread seeds and create spaces for native plants to flourish in this remarkable landscape.

Sept. 16, 2026 -Today, at a pollinator garden at the Denver Zoo, Governor Polis took Executive Action to support and protect Colorado pollinators, which play a pivotal role in the great outdoors Coloradans love and the foods producers grow across our state.

“Pollinators help grow everything we love in Colorado. From the peach groves and corn fields across the Western Slope to the Rocky Ford melons, and the mountainsides of wildflowers in Crested Butte, we need pollinators. Colorado’s economy depends on agriculture and outdoor recreation, and that's why protecting and strengthening Colorado’s natural pollinators is so important. For our natural beauty and health ecosystems, the action I am taking today will help pollinators thrive,” said Governor Polis.

Sept. 15, 2026 -On the fringes of a national park in Indonesian Borneo, a team of rangers and animal rescuers snake their way through the bush.

Dry leaves crunch underfoot as green foliage gives way to hectares of burnt land.

A thick haze of smoke fills the air as nearby peatland and forest fires continue to rage.

Sept. 9, 2026 -The bodies kept appearing as if out of nowhere. In March a whale corpse was found floating in San Francisco Bay, seagulls perched on top like vultures at carrion. Then, in April, a whale was found dead and beached in Oregon, the arc of its carcass camouflaged against the surf. That same month, another whale, this one a juvenile, was found lifeless and lodged among woody debris in a Washington State river, miles from the ocean.

As of mid-August, 187 gray whales have been found dead this year along the West Coast, from Mexico to Alaska.

Sept. 9, 2026 -Twenty states and the District of Columbia sued the Trump administration on Wednesday over what they called the most severe cuts to protections for wildlife in the half-century since the passage of the Endangered Species Act.

Two lawsuits filed in federal court in California challenged a series of regulatory changes that opened the habitats of imperiled animals to drilling, farming, logging and other commercial activities.

Sept. 8, 2026 -Down in South Carolina, something wonderfully fluffy and heartwarming is happening. Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach is celebrating a record-breaking “baby boom” of critically-endangered African penguin chicks. Seven adorable little ones have hatched this season, and conservationists couldn’t be happier.

Five of the precious chicks arrived recently, joining two siblings who hatched back in May. Together, they represent the aquarium’s most successful nesting season ever for their resident African penguins. It’s a big deal for a species facing serious threats in the wild.

Sept. 3, 2026, -Sound Transit disclosed Thursday that electric current from light rail operations along the I-90/Homer M. Hadley floating bridge is suspected of killing Lake Washington fish.

An estimated 2,000 fish, mostly nonnative species, have died near the bridge. Exact counts are difficult, in part because many have decomposed, transit staff said.

Sept. 1, 2026, -Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday directing the interior department to consider de-listing gray wolves from the Endangered Species Act and to contemplate whether the agency could make it easier to authorize killing them.

The order gives interior secretary Doug Burgum three months to determine whether gray wolves and Mexican gray wolves have recovered enough for the federal government to de-list them.

Sept. 1, 2026, -Had Donald Trump been president in 1973, when Richard Nixon signed the Endangered Species Act into federal law, the Gunnison sage-grouse would be extinct. Close to 90% of all Gunnison sage-grouse remaining on the planet are in the Gunnison River Basin of west-central Colorado. The rest are in Utah. They’ve been extirpated from Arizona and New Mexico.

The species is critically endangered in fact, if not by official decree. It is protected by the act as just “threatened” because the Interior Department lost a lawsuit brought by Gunnison County, Colorado, the states of Utah and Colorado, and ranching, livestock and energy-development interests.

August 28, 2026, -Take six chicks, two different nests, and two females, and add one very active (and very promiscuous) male; and, apparently, that’s a winning recipe for the Montagu’s harrier in the UK.

The male is called AU (like the chemical symbol for gold). He appears to be the only adult male Montagu’s harrier breeding in the UK, but he’s doing his best to keep the species going. In 2026 alone, he fathered six chicks with two females at nests just a kilometre apart. Since he first bred in 2018, AU has raised at least 16 young. For a bird that recently disappeared entirely in Britain, that’s quite the achievement.

In fact, the species’ survival in the country could depend entirely on AU.

August 27, 2026 -In a heartwarming victory for endangered wildlife, Pakistan has established an incredible sanctuary spanning 250 miles along the majestic Indus River, creating a safe haven for one of the world’s rarest freshwater dolphins. This uplifting conservation effort protects approximately 440 endangered Indus River dolphins, giving these extraordinary cetaceans room to flourish in their natural habitat.

The newly expanded sanctuary combines previously separate protected areas into one continuous 250-mile stretch of river paradise. This wholesome initiative addresses decades of habitat loss that threatened these gentle creatures as economic development brought dams, irrigation canals, and other infrastructure to the region.

August 26, 2026 - The Ganges shark is nothing if not elusive. Living in murky, brackish water it is one of only three river shark species globally — and is almost impossible to see in the wild. It’s never been photographed alive. The only evidence biologists have to go by is when one turns up dead as bycatch. Even then, they might just find a fin.

The critically endangered species lives across parts of Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Myanmar, but it’s thought most populations are dwindling. An estimated 240 adults remain according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The last published sighting of a Ganges shark near its namesake river was in 2017.

August 25, 2026 -Jack Gardner thought his eyes were playing tricks on him when he felt the powerful tug on his fishing line. The captain of the Dominator and his crew were fishing in the North Sea when something absolutely enormous took the bait.

What they pulled from the water that day left them speechless.

An Atlantic bluefin tuna — a species that had completely vanished from these waters for 60 years — emerged from the depths. The magnificent fish measured over 8 feet long and represented what Gardner called the greatest catch of his entire career.

August 21, 2026 -North Atlantic right whales were once so thoroughly hunted they nearly went extinct. In fact, they were called right whales because they were considered the “right” ones to hunt, as they lived close to the shore and floated on the surface once killed.

When hunting these mammals was outlawed, they slowly started to bounce back, but today right whales are dealing with new deadly threats from humans. So, it’s a relief to have a successful calving season like this year, with 23 new calves, the most since 2009

August 21, 2026 -On June 23rd, a motion-activated camera along the Bronx River captured something that made conservationists absolutely leap with joy: a furry brown streak darting past the lens. It was a river otter—the first spotted in this New York City borough in approximately 100 years.

The heartwarming sighting is more than just an adorable wildlife moment. It’s compelling proof that decades of dedicated conservation and restoration work along the Bronx River are truly working.

August 19, 2026 -After humans, orangutans are among the most intelligent beings on Earth. They are self-aware, sentient persons, and as such they deeply feel loss and grief.

Sharing 97% of our DNA, they are one of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom. That shared DNA shows up in surprising ways, from problem-solving and their use of tools to their social bonds and even their sense of humor.

Despite this, they are also one of the most critically endangered animals in the world.

August 19, 2026 -In a moment that has conservationists and nature lovers absolutely overjoyed, white storks have officially returned to nest in Derbyshire, England—for the first time in an astonishing 600 years. The last time these magnificent birds called this region home, medieval England was a very different place, and now their homecoming is being hailed as one of the most heartwarming wildlife victories in modern British history.

The large white wings of these graceful creatures have finally graced the English Midlands skies once again, bringing hope and pure joy to everyone witnessing this miraculous return. After centuries of absence, the storks have chosen Derbyshire as their nesting ground, proving that dedicated conservation work truly can turn the tide for threatened species.

August 19, 2026 -After humans, orangutans are among the most intelligent beings on Earth. They are self-aware, sentient persons, and as such they deeply feel loss and grief.

Sharing 97% of our DNA, they are one of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom. That shared DNA shows up in surprising ways, from problem-solving and their use of tools to their social bonds and even their sense of humor.

Despite this, they are also one of the most critically endangered animals in the world. Deforestation, habitat loss, poaching and human-orangutan conflict are driving them closer and closer to the edge of extinction.

August 16, 2026 -Wildlife groups in Florida are celebrating record numbers of sea turtle nests this season, but experts warn Donald Trump’s recent gutting of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) could reverse decades of their recovery from the edge of extinction.

With more than two months of the summer nesting season still to run, loggerhead turtles have already made 13,770 nests, hundreds more than recorded in any previous year, along an 8.5-mile stretch of shoreline monitored by the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach, on Florida’s Atlantic coast.

August 16, 2026 -Sometimes the best news is a reminder that humanity got something beautifully right—and it’s still making a difference more than a century later. On this day 110 years ago, the United States and Canada came together to sign the Migratory Bird Treaty, a landmark agreement that would change the fate of hundreds of bird species forever.

Before this treaty, unregulated hunting was pushing many beloved bird species toward the brink of extinction. But leaders on both sides of the border recognized something important: birds don’t respect human boundaries, and protecting them required cooperation across nations.

August 15, 2026 -Along California’s breathtaking redwood coast, something beautiful is happening beneath the surface of Prairie Creek. After more than a decade of patient restoration work, conservationists are witnessing a miracle of nature: young salmon are thriving like never before.

Prairie Creek serves as one of the last refuges for three threatened salmon species — California Coastal Chinook, Northern California steelhead, and coho salmon. For years, these fish struggled to survive in a creek that had been damaged and constrained by human development.

August 12, 2026 -A touching wildlife rescue unfolded last week on the peaceful waters of Georgia’s coastal islands, proving that everyday heroes walk—and boat—among us. When a local fishing guide noticed something wasn’t right with a manatee near St. Simons Island, he didn’t hesitate to take action.

The gentle giant had become hopelessly tangled in crab trap lines along the Mackay and Hampton rivers. Making the situation even more heart-wrenching, her young calf refused to leave her side, watching anxiously as his mother struggled.

August 11, 2026 -On 31 July, “Umit” – which means hope in Kazakh – was released into a nature reserve on the edge of Lake Balkhash after more than a decade of careful planning to return the caspian tiger to the region. With this release, Kazakhstan became the first country to restore its tiger range after they had been thought extinct, with the last reliable sighting in the country recorded more than 70 years ago.

Umit – a wild-caught female tiger transported from the Russian far east – will be joined by more big cats in the coming years, with plans to establish a self-sustaining population of about 50. A wild-caught male flown from Russia is still being monitored by authorities and will be released when he is judged fit to survive alone.

August 10, 2026 -Toronto Zoo is celebrating a moment of pure wonder this week as a critically endangered pygmy hippopotamus successfully gave birth to an absolutely adorable calf. The arrival marks a triumphant milestone in conservation efforts and has instantly melted hearts across the globe.

The mama hippo endured 1.5 hours of active labor before her tiny baby made its grand entrance, tiny feet appearing first in a scene that had zoo staff holding their breath with anticipation. Within just 15 minutes of taking its first breath, the determined little calf was already attempting to stand, teetering on wobbly legs in an inspiring display of natural instinct and strength.

August 9, 2026 -In a move that’s restoring faith in humanity, Hollywood icon Leonardo DiCaprio has announced a groundbreaking $200 million initiative designed to pull 100 of the world’s most critically endangered species back from the brink of extinction. The Phoenix Species Project represents one of the most ambitious conservation efforts ever undertaken by a private coalition.

The initiative builds on DiCaprio’s remarkable 2021 success with the Protecting Our Planet Challenge, where he partnered with the Bezos Earth Fund and nine other conservation philanthropies. That effort successfully protected at least 30% of the planet’s most vital land, freshwater, and marine ecosystems—a victory that sent ripples of hope through the conservation community.

August 8, 2026 -Georgia’s beaches are celebrating a milestone that will warm any nature lover’s heart. Loggerhead sea turtle nests along the state’s Atlantic coast have shattered records, reaching the highest count in 37 years.

The incredible numbers represent the most nests documented on Georgia beaches since scientists began comprehensive monitoring in 1989. This feel-good news signals hope for a species that’s been fighting for survival.

August 8, 2026 -More than a century after Ireland lost its largest and most majestic bird of prey, conservationists are celebrating an incredible milestone that will restore your faith in nature’s resilience. A white-tailed sea eagle chick has been successfully born and fledged at Fota Wildlife Park in County Cork—marking a historic moment in Ireland’s conservation journey.

The white-tailed sea eagle, with its impressive wingspan and commanding presence, completely disappeared from Irish skies over 100 years ago. But thanks to dedicated wildlife experts and tireless conservation work, these magnificent raptors are making a triumphant return to the Emerald Isle.

August 8, 2026 -The Soviet Union now belongs largely to memory and history books, and many chapters of its history are outright unsavory, to say the least. But Operation Beluga (“Belukha” in Russian) isn’t one of them.

Operation Beluga wasn’t your typical Cold War operation. It involved sending an icebreaker into heavy pack ice and, according to Soviet reports, blasting music over its deck loudspeakers to coax thousands of trapped beluga whales toward safety off the Chukchi Peninsula.

August 7, 2026 -National Geographic just hit an extraordinary conservation milestone, and the star of the moment is an adorable grumpy-looking fish no bigger than your thumb. The red handfish, sporting bright red “hands” and what can only be described as a permanent punk rock pout, has become the 18,000th species captured in the Photo Ark project.

This tiny ocean dweller doesn’t swim like most fish—it struts. Using modified pectoral fins that look remarkably like little hands, the red handfish walks along the seafloor with all the attitude of a rock and roll frontman taking the stage.

August 7, 2026 - American duck hunters are revolting over a quiet Trump administration review they fear could put some of the nation’s most important duck breeding grounds at risk.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opened a 14-day public review July 24 of a 2024 rule governing how close farmers can install underground drainage pipes, known as “drain tile,” to federally protected prairie wetlands. The administration has not proposed changing the rule, but is asking whether the current protections are working and whether they should be revised.

August 7, 2026 -In what can only be described as a triumph of compassion and dedication, SeaWorld San Antonio recently welcomed 7 rescued beluga whales following an extraordinary nearly 2,000-mile journey. This heartwarming arrival marks part of an urgent, unprecedented international effort to relocate 30 belugas from a closed marine park in Canada that can no longer support their care.

The magnificent marine mammals join 2 rescued male belugas who arrived on July 21st, bringing hope and new beginnings to these beautiful creatures. Each whale’s safe arrival represents countless hours of planning, expert care, and unwavering commitment from marine specialists who refused to give up on these animals..

August 6, 2026 -By hatching a new definition of the word “harm,” the Trump administration has effectively killed the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

For 50 years, the legal definition of “harm” has included the destruction of habitat that sustains threatened and endangered species. But a new rule, finalized July 14, redefines harm as only physical damage to individuals. So, provided individuals of a listed species are not directly injured or killed by humans, it’s perfectly okay to destroy all habitat required for their survival, thereby rendering them extinct. “Common sense” is how Interior Secretary Doug Burgum describes it.

August 4, 2026 -The Trump administration is rolling back protections for endangered species. Countries around the world are failing to deliver on their conservation commitments. Corporations are backpedaling on environmental pledges.

Still, 100 imperiled animals and plants got some good news on Tuesday.

August 4, 2026 -In a stunning wildlife recovery story that proves hope is alive, thousands of endangered seabirds on the Hawaiian island of Kauai are experiencing a beautiful new chapter of life. Four years after the completion of the longest predator exclusion fence anywhere in the Pacific Ocean, these precious ground-nesting birds are finally safe to raise their families in peace.

The remarkable 11,200-foot-long fence, completed in 2022, encircles 168 acres of prime seabird nesting habitat. Before this ingenious protective barrier was installed, these vulnerable birds faced constant life-threatening danger from feral cats and wild pigs that ravaged their nests and decimated their populations.

July 28, 2026 -In a beautiful display of human kindness meeting nature, volunteers in Taiwan have found the most wholesome solution to protecting their island’s migrating crabs. The answer? Tiny handmade bamboo bridges.

Every year from July to September, Taiwan’s mangrove crabs make their annual migration to the sea. But their journey is filled with obstacles—roads, drainage ditches, and human-made barriers that can trap or injure thousands of these little travelers.

July 28, 2026 -There is nothing normal about moving a beluga whale.

First, you have to find a cargo plane that can accommodate the whale and at least one, if not more, attendants per whale.

Then, there are the foam- and rubber-lined container boxes, specific to the whale’s size and weight, and large enough to hold the whale and the stretcher that it will rest on.

July 27, 2026 -After more than 60 years of absence, Indian grey hornbills are thriving once again in Gujarat state, marking four consecutive years of successful breeding. The heartwarming wildlife comeback story demonstrates how dedicated conservation efforts can restore balance to ecosystems that seemed permanently altered.

The distinctive birds, with their curved beaks and striking grey plumage, had completely disappeared from the region decades ago. Despite being classified as a species of “Least Concern” globally by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, these hornbills have very particular habitat needs that make them vulnerable to displacement.

July 25, 2026 -In the sparkling shallow waters of Mexico’s Gulf of California—also known as the stunning Sea of Cortez—lives one of nature’s most precious treasures. The vaquita porpoise, a shy and elusive marine mammal, calls these waters home.

But this heartwarming story comes with an urgent twist. The vaquita is one of the rarest and most endangered marine mammals on our entire planet.

July 25, 2026 -Black marks began appearing on catfish pulled from a lake along the Vermont–Quebec border more than a decade ago. Some looked like dark stains while others formed crusted lumps around the fishes’ mouths, fins and eyes, as though someone had burned tar into their skin.

Pollution seemed like an obvious suspect. A virus was another possibility.

The culprit, it turns out, is more horrifying. The growths are melanomas belonging to a single cancer lineage that appears to move from one fish to another. It is the first naturally occurring transmissible cancer documented in a fish—and the first found in a freshwater ecosystem. It also puts catfish in a very small and unfortunate club of animals that can pass cancer to different individuals.

July 24, 2026 -Here’s some heartwarming news for nature lovers: a British bee scientist is sharing the real way we can help our precious pollinators thrive during tough times. Dr. Richard Comont, the science manager at Bee Conservation Trust, recently set the record straight on a well-meaning but ineffective practice that’s been circulating online.

For years, people have been setting up ‘hydration stations’ with sugar-water mixtures, believing they’re helping tired bees recover. But Dr. Comont has clarified that this common practice doesn’t actually revive our buzzing friends the way we hoped.

The good news? There’s a much better solution that actually works.

July 23, 2026 -The razorback sucker is a large fish native to warm-water areas of the Colorado River Basin. It is one of North America’s largest sucker species and is known for its prominent, bony ridge behind its head.

Colorado wildlife officials said they support the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision to downlist the fish from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

“Colorado Parks and Wildlife fully supports this decision, which validates more than three decades of collaborative recovery work across multiple states and river basins,” said CPW Native Aquatic Species Manager Jenn Logan.

uly 23, 2026 -The admirable little red-bellied toad is the size of a thumb, but it has achieved giant feats: In 2014, it prevented the construction of a small hydroelectric dam that threatened to alter its only habitat forever. Endemic to a small stretch of the Forqueta River, in the municipality of Arvorezinha, Rio Grande do Sul, Melanophryniscus admirabilis is one of the rarest and most threatened species on the planet. Recently, after the floods that devastated the state in 2024, researchers returned to this refuge to assess whether the little toad that once halted the construction of a dam has survived the force of the waters.

July 23, 2026 -In a heartwarming display of international cooperation and dedication to animal welfare, four beluga whales have completed an extraordinary journey from a closed theme park in Ontario to their new home at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium.

The massive rescue operation required meticulous planning and coordination between Canadian and U.S. authorities, marine mammal experts, and wildlife transport specialists. These gentle giants, each weighing several tons, needed specialized care every step of the way during their multi-day relocation.

July 23, 2026 -Federal lawmakers are considering whether to expand the government’s authority to kill more sea lions and seals to bolster salmon recovery efforts in the Pacific Northwest.

The region’s critical salmon runs are on life support: Fourteen species and populations of salmon and steelhead trout in Washington are deemed at risk of extinction under the Endangered Species Act. The hurdles to their livelihood are numerous, spanning a worsening climate crisis, habitat loss, pollution and — as Congress members debated this week — proliferating predators.

July 22, 2026 -At the request of the Trump administration, a federal judge in Texas has stripped endangered species protections from a small lizard whose habitat overlaps with the largest oil-producing region in the United States.

It was the latest twist in a long-running fight over the fate of the dunes sagebrush lizard, a light brown reptile found only in portions of the oil-rich Permian Basin in southeastern New Mexico and West Texas.

July 22, 2026 - In a high-stakes rescue, Colorado Parks and Wildlife safely evacuated 103 unique native Uncompahgre cutthroat trout from the Gold Mountain Fire.

The operation unfolded the morning of July 15 after weeks of uncertainty. The U.S. Forest Service and fire personnel alerted CPW of a small window of opportunity to access Nate Creek to save the fish. At the time, the wildfire had already burned 37,259 acres of land with only 12% containment.

July 21, 2026 -A heartwarming victory for nature lovers everywhere: scientists have successfully brought back the majestic American chestnut tree from the brink of extinction. And they did it without controversial genetic engineering.

The innovative biotech startup used a brilliant combination of big data, forestry science, and genomics to breed “elite” blight-resistant chestnut trees. These beautiful trees were once the kings of American forests before a devastating fungal disease nearly wiped them out completely.

July 21, 2026 -Finding a new monkey species in the 21st century is exceptionally rare. Primates are among the best-documented mammals, so scientists don’t often encounter an entire population that has remained unknown to science.

But the dense rainforests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo still hold surprises.

After an investigation spanning more than a decade, an international research team has formally described a small black monkey with striking orange-cream markings around its mouth and nose. The species has been named Colobus congoensis, while researchers recommend the local name Likweli as its common name.

July 28, 2026 -“¡Mire!?” My guide, Silvestre, pointed upward, as if I wasn’t already walking with my neck craned as far back as it could go. The sky was alive with millions of fluttering shapes, congregating into clouds at random, occasionally turning into ribbons that wound through the trees. So many butterfly wings beat the air that their vibrations were audible, like a waterfall rushing in the distance. I understood for the first time the immensity of the event I’d come to see.

I was in the center of El Rosario butterfly sanctuary, part of Mexico’s Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve>. Unaccustomed to the thin air at nearly 11,000 feet above sea level, I’d ridden Pelucha, a rust-colored mare, to the heights of the reserve.

July 19, 2026 -After years of waiting in limbo, 30 beluga whales are finally getting their chance at a better life. The US and Canadian governments recently approved a rescue plan that will move these intelligent marine mammals from their current situation at Ontario’s shuttered Marineland to a more humane sanctuary.

The theme park closed years ago when keeping such intelligent creatures in captivity became too controversial for the public to support. But even after the gates shut, the belugas remained — waiting patiently for someone to step up and give them the home they deserved.

July 18, 2026 -Nearly two dozen red wolf pups were born in the wild this spring in eastern North Carolina, giving a remarkable boost to one of the most endangered species on the planet.

“It’s inspiring to see these underdogs making another incredible comeback,” said Will Harlan, southeast director for the Center for Biological Diversity, in an statement about the births.

July 17, 2026 -Mammals shouldn’t permanently live much above 5,500 meters (18,000 feet). Above this altitude, the combination of oxygen-starved air, freezing temperatures, scarce food, and relentless winds was thought to make long-term life nearly impossible.

Then, in 1912, British zoologist Oldfield Thomas discovered tiny Andean leaf-eared mice (Phyllotis vaccarum) living more than a kilometer higher than this assumed limit, on volcanic summits above 6,700 meters (22,000 feet), close to the death zone where even experienced climbers struggle to survive.

July 17, 2026 -The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service could soon declare that pygmy rabbits or Florida manatees are threatened with extinction. But under a policy change issued by the Trump administration on Friday, Americans could still kill, trap and harass them.

That action — paired with another issued Friday that requires regulators to consider the economic toll of habitat protection — is part of President Donald Trump’s broad attempt to reinterpret the 1973 Endangered Species Act in ways that weaken protections for imperiled plants and animals.

July 16, 2026 -In a heartwarming testament to the resilience of nature, Maine has witnessed an extraordinary revival of its beloved alewife fish population. These small, silvery river herring—once so scarce they were banned from harvest—have surged back in numbers that scientists are calling nothing short of miraculous.

The latest counts reveal over 20 million alewife made their annual spawning run up Maine’s rivers this year, marking the highest population in decades. It’s a comeback story that has fisheries experts and conservationists literally cheering along the riverbanks.

July 15, 2026 - Mother Nature is staging one of the most heartwarming comebacks you’ll ever witness, and it’s happening right now in the crystal-clear waters off Brazil’s coast. The humpback whale population has skyrocketed in a way that scientists are calling nothing short of miraculous.

When commercial whaling finally ended in 1986, only about 2,000 humpback whales remained in Brazilian waters — a devastatingly small number that had conservationists deeply worried. Fast forward to today, and prepare for the happy tears: that population has exploded to approximately 35,000 magnificent creatures.

That’s a 27-fold increase in just a few decades. Let that sink in for a moment.

July 15, 2026 -A new report on the Chesapeake Bay’s signature blue crab has documented a steep, long-term decline in the crustacean’s population, raising concerns among environmental groups about the future of one of the region’s most important species.

Scientists aren’t sure exactly what’s behind the drop. The total number of blue crabs can fluctuate sharply, with population estimates varying by tens of millions — or even hundreds of millions — within just a few years. But experts said they’re concerned by what they’re seeing.

July 14, 2026 -By altering the interpretation of a single word in the Endangered Species Act, the Trump administration has made what could be a sweeping change to how wildlife is protected in the United States.

That word is "harm." For more than 50 years, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service defined harm to refer to anything that injures or kills a protected organism, including "significant habitat modification or degradation" that might impact a species' ability to feed, reproduce or seek shelter.

July 11, 2026 -The change, finalized by the Interior and Commerce departments, redefines what constitutes “harm” to endangered species and habitats under the 1973 Endangered Species Act (ESA). The longstanding law had long prohibited “habitat modification or degradation” because it could harm or kill endangered animals by impacting their ability to breed and find food or shelter. That definition of harm was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in a 1995 ruling.

The Trump administration called the previous definition of harm “outdated” in a statement released Friday, arguing its move “returns the interpretation of the ESA back to its actual text and original intent, which will end years of federal overreach.”

July 10, 2026 -The animal emblem of Western Australia, the numbat, is recovering after decades of conservation efforts, according to the IUCN, the global wildlife conservation authority.

The animal emblem of Western Australia, the numbat, is recovering after decades of conservation efforts, according to the IUCN, the global wildlife conservation authority.

July 10, 2026 -For decades, the numbat or banded anteater (Myrmecobius fasciatus) was listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. It has now been moved to the lower threat category of near threatened.

“The ‘downlisting’ of the numbat on the IUCN Red List from Endangered to Near Threatened is what we have been working for over the last 40 years!” Tony Friend, research associate at the Western Australian department of biodiversity, conservation and attractions (DBCA), told Mongabay via email. “Consequently, I feel very elated that the more secure status we’ve been able to achieve with the numbat has been recognised by IUCN.”

July 9, 2026 -Deep-sea mining threatens to drive to extinction more than half of the snails and other mollusks that rely on hydrothermal vents, according to the latest update of the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, the global scientific authority on the status of species.

The finding comes as nations are expanding plans for deep-sea mining, eager to access valuable minerals needed for electronics and other uses.

July 1, 2026 -12 zoo-raised European bison were released into Azerbaijan’s mountains 7 years ago in a groundbreaking rewilding effort.

The herd has now grown to include 25 wild-born calves, proving nature’s incredible resilience when given a chance.

This beautiful success story shows how conservation partnerships can bring species back from the brink of extinction.

Seven years ago, heavy wooden doors slid open on the slopes of Shahdagh—the King’s Mountain in northern Azerbaijan. Inside the transport crates stood 12 European bison who had only known life behind zoo fences.

May 1, 2025 -This project focuses on biodiversity: the variety of all life on our planet. It highlights the crisis represented by huge losses of animal, insect, bird and plant life around the world, as well as innovations to tackle these losses.

Click now for a detailed lineup of biodiversity threatening stories.

The Amboseli Trust for Elephants aims to ensure the long-term conservation and welfare of Africa’s elephants in the context of human needs and pressures through scientific research, training, community outreach, public awareness and advocacy.

An international Animal Conservation Charity in Conjunction with Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks.

Mission: to halt extinction of rare and endangered species and return them to the wild where possible.

It's the longest-running and most successful conservation project dedicated to cheetah survival.

Their signature programs, addressing human-wildlife conflict, livelihood development, education and habitat restoration, have stabilized the wild cheetah population of Namibia – the world’s largest — and have helped launch sister programs in several other cheetah range countries. None of this would not be possible without you.

Joel Sartore has traveled the world for more than 25 years, photographing subjects from tiny to terrifying.

These images are not to be missed.

Born from one family’s passion for Kenya and its wilderness, the Trust is today the most successful orphan-elephant rescue and rehabilitation program in the world and one of the pioneering conservation organizations for wildlife and habitat protection in East Africa.

The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International is dedicated to the conservation, protection and study of gorillas and their habitats in Africa. Our successful, integrated approach includes close collaboration with local governments and communities as well as partners from around the world

Explore 15,000 of the world’s endangered species. With over 100,000 photos and videos, discover what these animals, plants and fungi look like, what makes them special and why we should protect them.

The EDGE of Existence program is the only global conservation initiative to focus specifically on threatened species that represent a significant amount of unique evolutionary history.

See article upon article covering threats to the endangered natural world.

Set up to address fish & wildlife, hunting and game mamagement, fisheries, law enforcement, habitat ans species conservation and more.

We're counting on the commitment of our members to help our fight to uphold the Endangered Species Act and defend the wild plants, animals and places we all love.

The Endangered Species Act has an unmatched record of success and has put hundreds of species on the path to recovery, but countless plants and animals are still clinging to existence. Their futures depend on the Center for Biological Diversity and the strength of the Endangered Species Act, and we depend on you.

World of the Wild is a unique game that gives users an opportunity to participate in fun gameplay while contributing to real life wildlife conservation efforts. This app gamifies the concept of saving animals and allows you to rescue, rehabilitate and care for animals and habitats within your own carefully crafted world. Each animal in the app represents a real-life charity!

Partnered with 18 charities, World of the Wild offers unique facts and pop quizzes and will allow users to rescue animals in need! The game will empower the global community and transform online culture while restoring the natural world. It's a change to the status quo; utilising online activism to achieve tangible results in conservation.

The (NWPR) is a 22,000 square foot office and warehouse located northeast of Denver, Colorado at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. The facility is responsible for receiving wildlife items that have been forfeited or abandoned to the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service.

By law, these items are stored in a secure environment, many of which are donated to educational facilities, nonprofit organizations, and conservation agencies to aid in teaching about endangered species and other wildlife.

Learn about the earth's species and how they are endangered.

Planet Earth teems with life. And now you can meet some of its stars!

Established in 1964, the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global extinction risk status of animal, fungus and plant species.

Humans are generating climate-altering greenhouse gases at a rate that will forever alter our world’s ecosystem...

There Statement: “It’s very simple: We cannot condone the dilution of the role of science in protecting endangered and threatened wildlife,” said WCS President and CEO Cristián Samper.