ConservationAugust 25, 2016
The Amazing Biodiversity within an Elephant's Footprint
Our understanding of the elephant’s role as an ecosystem engineer continues to evolve
Stories by John R. Platt
John R. Platt is the editor of The Revelator. An award-winning environmental journalist, his work has appeared in Scientific American, Audubon, Motherboard, and numerous other magazines and publications. His "Extinction Countdown" column has run continuously since 2004 and has covered news and science related to more than 1,000 endangered species. John lives on the outskirts of Portland, Ore., where he finds himself surrounded by animals and cartoonists.
ConservationAugust 18, 2016
Can Stamp Collecting Help Conserve Rare Species?
It’s not just about the collection. It’s about what you do with it
ConservationAugust 17, 2016
Rare Burrowing Snake Discovered in Mountains of Mexico
The new species lives in a cloud forest that was once part of the Aztec Empire
ConservationAugust 12, 2016
Are Bats Facing a Hidden Extinction Crisis?
A new way of calculating bat extinction risk reveals previously hidden conservation priorities
ConservationAugust 10, 2016
Snails Are Going Extinct: Here's Why That Matters
They may not be the most charismatic group of species, but we can learn a lot from the lowly snail
ConservationJuly 28, 2016
Swipe Right if You Love Endangered Monkeys
The Body Shop wants Tinder users to help protect Vietnam’s red-shanked douc
ConservationJuly 27, 2016
The Daggernose Shark Is Near Extinction
All signs point to a species that is now in reproductive collapse
ConservationJuly 21, 2016
Adorable Kittens Represent Hope for Nearly Extinct Scottish Wildcats
Just a few hundred of these critically endangered felines remain in the wild
ConservationJuly 19, 2016
Newly Discovered "Devil Orchid" is Critically Endangered
Only 30 of these rare flowers are thought to exist in the wild
ConservationJuly 13, 2016
Tragic Deaths Represent a Victory in Spoon-Billed Sandpiper Conservation
Until now, no one has ever bred this rare bird in captivity
ConservationJuly 11, 2016
Bornean Orangutan Now Critically Endangered
Both orangutan species are now on the path toward extinction
ConservationJuly 7, 2016
The Italian Alps Hold a Secret: A New Species of Viper
It looks like some other nearby vipers, but its genetics tell a different story
ConservationJuly 6, 2016
Asian Otters Are the Latest Victims of the Illegal Pet and Fur Trades
A new report also finds worrying evidence of declining wild populations
ConservationJune 30, 2016
A Growing Threat to Lions: Illegal Trade in their Bones
We’ve made progress against trophy hunting since Cecil the lion was killed a year ago, but the big cats still face much worse threats
Climate ChangeJune 22, 2016
Another Threat to Tuna: Ocean Acidification
More acidic waters will cause massive organ failures in young yellowfin tuna, according to a new study
ConservationJune 21, 2016
Suing over Sushi: Protection Sought for Pacific Bluefin Tuna
Populations of these mighty fish have declined by more than 97 percent
Climate ChangeJune 15, 2016
Climate Change Has Claimed Its First Mammal Extinction
The Bramble Cay melomys was wiped out by sea level rise, according to a new study
ConservationJune 14, 2016
First Bird Extinction in the Galápagos Islands Confirmed
The San Cristóbal Island vermilion flycatcher hasn’t been seen in decades. Will another species soon follow?
ConservationJune 10, 2016
Saudi Arabian Cattle Breed Nearly Extinct
When it disappears, so will its uniquely adapted genetics
ConservationJune 9, 2016
Another Threat to Hawaiian Birds: Cat Poop
Some Hawaiian geese populations are heavily infected by toxoplasmosis from feral cats, a new study finds
ConservationJune 8, 2016
Wildlife Tourism Faces Dark Days—but Revenue Soars
The “Blackfish effect” has helped shut down some animal performances, but experts say there is still a long way to go to protect captive and wild animals from abuse and exploitation
ConservationJune 2, 2016
The Secret World of Crayfish Extinction (and Beyond)
As Australia’s crayfish disappear, so, too, will other species
ConservationJune 1, 2016
Shiny, Metallic Snake is a Critically Endangered New Species
The Conception Bank silver boa is the first snake discovered in the Caribbean since the 1940s
ConservationJune 1, 2016
Ugly Critters Get No Love
Scientists would rather study good-looking species, according to a survey of their work