Even cockroaches have personalities
When I was ten, I acquired my first dog. Rani was a Doberman Pinscher—tall, lean, and a huge pushover. She was wonderfully friendly, but sadly misunderstood her whole life, regularly…
Citizen scientists help demystify Serengeti’s wildlife with photos
Africa's Serengeti conjures up romantic images of millions of migrating wildebeest and zebras, prides of lions feasting on their prey, and hyenas prowling in the background. But not everyone is…
Could big data turn us into ocean protectors instead of abusers?
Plastic and other threats in the oceans: Turning data into action The devastating tsunami that hit Japan in 2011 washed away millions of tons of plastic debris into the…
Sundarbans still reeling from effects of December oil spill
Emergency research finds devastating impacts of oil spill in the world's largest mangrove forest A crocodile wades into oil-tainted waters in the Sundarbans. Photo by: Arati Kumar-Rao. Last month, an…
Camera traps capture rare footage of wild bonobos (video)
Bonobo from still of camera trap video. Courtesy of: Terese Hart. Bonobos, our ape cousins, love peace. Unlike chimpanzees, also our close relatives, bonobos are known to resolve conflict through…
To collect or not to collect? Experts debate the need for specimens
Modern day expeditions face a collection dilemma as scientists consider ethics and endangerment A tray of Eriocnemis (a genus of hummingbird) specimens, Swedish Museum of Natural History - Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet,Stockholm,…
Rediscovered in 2010, rare Indian frog surprises by breeding in bamboo
Raorchestes chalazodes. Photo by: Seshadri K. S. For a long time, this rare white spotted bush frog lived a secretive life: the Critically Endangered Chalazodes bubble-nest frog (Raorchestes chalazodes) was…
Genetic sleuthing reveals grisly details of historic whale hunting
Past whaling may have resulted in lost cultural knowledge for world's biggest mammals Relict whaling and sealing ships at Grytviken, South Georgia. Photo by: Liam Quinn/Creative Commons 2.0. In 1904,…
When cute turns deadly – the story of a wildlife biologist who was bit by a venomous slow loris, and lived to tell the tale
Deadly nature of slow loris bite--even without teeth--should turn people off from keeping these primates as pets Slow lorises are YouTube stars. A quick search on the website will greet…
The only solution for polar bears: ‘stop the rise in CO2 and other greenhouse gases’
Steven Amstrup will be speaking at the Wildlife Conservation Network Expo in San Francisco on October 11th, 2014. In 1773, an expedition headed by Constantine John Phipps, the Second Baron…
Did the world’s only venomous primate evolve to mimic the cobra?
The slow loris may have evolved its venom as a mimic to deadly spectacled cobras A slow loris in a venom pose. Photo by: Andrew Walmsley. The bite of a…
Meet the newest enemy to India’s wildlife
Cars versus leopards: big cats and other animals face decline due to rising traffic. A big cat crosses the Mysore-Mananthavadi Highway as commercial vehicles look on. Photo credit: Vikram Nanjappa.…
Conservationists use social media to take on Peru’s booming illegal wildlife trade
The illegal wildlife trade has long been ignored in Peru, but changes are afoot Young bear's feet confiscated from the witchcraft market. Photo credit by Noga Shanee/NPC Illegal wildlife trafficking…
Scientists name new endangered species after the company that will decide its fate
Aerial view of cement quarry and limestone hill home to a number of species found nowhere else including a new snail. Photo by: Ong Poh Teck/Basteria. Scientists have discovered a…
Elephants under the sea: awkward-looking fish modify the coral-reef ecosystem in mixed ways
The decidedly odd-looking bumphead parrotfish is listed as Vulnerable. Photo by: Kurt Gross. Bumphead parrotfish are noisy feeders. They break off large branches of corals using their powerful beaks, grind…
Shot Egyptian vulture leads conservationists to bizarre black-market for bird parts
Captive Egyptian vulture adult. Photo by: Carlos Delgado/Creative Commons 3.0. The hunt Around 11 AM on Thursday, 27 February 2014, Angoulou Enika was lying hidden in the tall grass on…
Using Google Earth to protect uncontacted tribes in the Amazon rainforest
Aerial photo of uncontacted tribe in Brazil. Photo courtesy of the Government of Brazil. In 2008, images of an uncontacted tribe in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil created ripples. With…
Ever heard of the hirola? New survey shows world’s rarest antelope holding steady
An hirola in Tsavo East National Park. Photo by: James Probert. In 2008 and 2009, severe droughts killed numerous elephants, hippos and rhinos in Kenya's Tsavo East National Park. But…
New species has its anus behind its head
An image of the new species showing the lack of eyes. This specimen had its flesh cleared and researchers stained the bones to show the skeleton. Photo courtesy of: Chakrabarty…
Zero-deforestation commitments pose acute challenges for commercial giants in the palm oil industry
Nothing can ruin the intensely enjoyable experience of digging into a spoonful of the delectable hazelnut spread, Nutella, than turning over the can to examine its ingredient list. Right there,…
Special series
Endangered environmentalists
- In Cambodia, a rare acquittal in a climate of danger for green activists
- On Peru’s border, the Tikuna tribe takes on illegal coca growers
- Peru: Invaders claim their first victim at the Macuya Forest Investigation Center
Indonesias forest guardians
- Indigenous Iban community defends rainforests, but awaits lands rights recognition
- On the island of Java, a social forestry scheme creates jobs at home
- In Indonesia, bigger catches for a fishing village protecting its mangroves
Amazon infrastructure
- Yanomami Amazon reserve invaded by 20,000 miners; Bolsonaro fails to act
- Amazon infrastructure puts 68% of indigenous lands / protected areas at risk: report
- Amazon fish kill at Sinop spotlights risk from 80+ Tapajós basin dams
Asian rhinos
- Is the rhino horn trade a cartel? Economic analysis suggests it works like one
- Indonesia agrees to attempt Sumatran rhino IVF with eggs from Malaysia
- When it comes to captive breeding, not all Sumatran rhinos are equal
