EnvironmentNovember 22, 2015
Northern White Rhino Dies, Leaving Just Three on the Planet
This weekend’s death of 41-year-old Nola in San Diego pushes the species even closer to extinction
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.
EnvironmentNovember 20, 2015
Amazon Trees Face Extinction Crisis, but There's Hope
Existing protected areas could help prevent hundreds if not thousands of extinctions, according to new research
EnvironmentNovember 17, 2015
Squirrel! Conservationists Cheer as Giant Squirrel Recovers, Leaves Endangered Species List
Helpful landowners have created new habitats for Delmarva fox squirrel, a species that nearly disappeared 50 years ago
EnvironmentNovember 12, 2015
'Living Dead' Weevil Gets Another Shot at Surviving
Once thought to be extinct, fewer than 100 Canterbury knobbled weevils remain alive today. Could new science help to improve its odds of survival?
EnvironmentNovember 11, 2015
Another New Tool for Seal Conservation: Snow Shovels
Humans can help to supplement Saimaa ringed seals’ melting snow dens, which are disappearing due to climate change
EnvironmentNovember 6, 2015
Stowaway Snail Helps Save Species from Extinction
One tiny (and hungry) Chittenango ovate amber snail that snuck into a university lab has revealed hidden truths about a critically endangered species
EnvironmentNovember 3, 2015
70 Percent of the World's Saiga Antelopes Mysteriously Wiped Out
More than 200,000 saiga died in just two weeks this past May
EnvironmentOctober 31, 2015
Ghosts, Devils and Graveyards: An Extinction Countdown Halloween
Boo
EnvironmentOctober 28, 2015
Clouded Leopards Threatened by Sudden Increase in Poaching and Live Trade
As tiger populations plummet, poachers have set their sights on a new target
EnvironmentOctober 26, 2015
Lions in Peril: Big Cats Face 50 Percent Decline in Next 20 Years
A surprising new study finds that most African lion populations have already dropped much faster than expected
EnvironmentOctober 22, 2015
Another Challenge for Orangutan Conservation: Food
As the red apes get squeezed out of their habitats, a new study finds that not just any new forest will do
EnvironmentOctober 15, 2015
Nextinction: Ralph Steadman Goes Gonzo for Endangered Birds
In their new book, the artist and filmmaker Ceri Levy paint a picture of the world’s most critically endangered species
EnvironmentOctober 13, 2015
Frog Mass Extinction on the Horizon
The deadly chytrid fungus is blamed for most of the 200 recent amphibian disappearances, with more to come
EnvironmentOctober 8, 2015
Can the Cheetah Outrun Extinction?
The world’s fastest land mammal is still racing for survival
EnvironmentOctober 6, 2015
Endangered Hawaiian Bees and Other Species Proposed for Protection
Threatened insects and plants in the extinction capital of the world would benefit from ecosystem-based conservation
EnvironmentSeptember 30, 2015
Beautiful "Mustached" Bird, Lost for 60 Years, Photographed for First Time
The Guadalcanal moustached kingfisher has not been seen since 1953
EnvironmentSeptember 25, 2015
Rising Seas and Pounding Waves Will Threaten 3 Common Pacific Seabirds
New research finds that island bird nests will be hit hard by climate change
EnvironmentSeptember 23, 2015
Sexually Deceptive Orchid Seeks Specialty Pollinator
The grand spider orchid relies on luring in a very specific type of wasp for its survival
EnvironmentSeptember 16, 2015
Giant Panda Conservation Also Helps Other Unique Species in China
New research proves it: The giant panda serves as an “umbrella” that helps protect dozens of other species
EnvironmentSeptember 15, 2015
The Polar Bear Photo Seen around the World
This starving polar bear was photographed in the Svalbard Islands, raising more worries about climate change and the fate of species
EnvironmentSeptember 11, 2015
Israel and Palestine Share a Rapidly Disappearing Gazelle
The population of this newly identified species has plummeted 70 percent in 15 years
EnvironmentSeptember 8, 2015
Killer Starfish Threaten Fish That Walks on Handlike Fins
A recent survey found just 79 spotted handfish in the waters off Tasmania
EnvironmentSeptember 3, 2015
Asian Vultures Get Good News Ahead of International Vulture Day
Millions of vultures have died over the past 20 years, victims of a painkiller drug gone wrong
EnvironmentAugust 28, 2015
Yet Another Disease Is Attacking Tasmanian Devils
Oh, great. As if the communicable cancer already wiping out the species weren’t bad enough