Ever wondered what it takes to get on the threatened species list? This explainer demystifies the rigorous process, using the cute little predator that stores energy in its tail as an example.
The iconic monarch butterfly has been added to the Red List of endangered species, but hasn’t received protection in the US yet. That’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Michael Hannah, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
While current extinction rates remain lower than during previous mass extinction events, the number of species under threat of dying out is growing, reflecting the true scale of loss.
A new review of the status of African elephants finds scientific grounds for dividing them into two species, and reports that both have suffered drastic population declines since 1990.
H. Resit Akcakaya, Stony Brook University (The State University of New York)
Scientists have tracked endangered species for years. Now they’re figuring out how to highlight animals and plants that have recovered – but what does that mean?
When Julia Sigwart went looking for the scaly-foot snail – or Sea Pangolin – in the deep ocean, they were hard to find. Now they are seen as endangered from the prospect of deep sea mining.
Alexander Weir, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
The global mushroom industry is worth $35 billion yearly and growing. But mushrooms and other fungi play important ecological roles that scientists are still learning about – and some may be endangered.