The year in rainforests

Rainforest in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Photo by Rhett A. Butler 2012 was another year of mixed news for the world's tropical forests. This is a look at some of the…

Lemur Meat? No thank you, I’ll have insects

In a new Lion King-fashioned twist the people of Madagascar may begin replacing lemur meat with insects.  This could be a cost effective and nutritious step into a more environmental…

Pictures: Christmas-colored animals

There are a surprising number of Christmas-colored animals. Below is a small set of red-and-green creatures photographed by Rhett A. Butler during his reporting travels. Happy holidays from all of…

Our favorite nature photos of 2012

In the course of reporting for Mongabay.com, I spent time in several countries in 2012, including Indonesia, Brazil, Madagascar, Mexico, and Malaysia, among others. Some of my key stories can…

Photo: New spider species named after Obama

Aptostichus barackobamai. Photo by Jason Bond. One of 33 newly described species of trapdoor spiders is named after President Barack Obama, reports Wired. Like other trapdoor spiders, Aptostichus barackobamai dig…

Ivory smuggling surged in 2011

Deforestation for an industrial rubber plantation in Laos. Photo by Rhett A. Butler Ivory smuggling surged in 2011, reaching its highest levels in nearly 20 years, says a new report…

Brazil launches forest trading system

Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon Brazil has launched a new platform that enables farmers and ranchers who have cleared forest beyond the legal minimum to come into compliance by purchasing…
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