How did survivors of the Permo-Triassic Mass Extinction adapt to their new, harsh environment? And why is that knowledge so important for modern species?
Lemurs are some of the world’s most threatened animals.
Shutterstock
More than 90% of Madagascar’s lemurs face extinction. Losing them will mean a loss of the valuable function they serve to the forests in which they live.
This particular male, calling on a rock, may be the last hope for his species.
Photo Sarah-Louise Adams, Durrell
The extinction threat you haven’t heard of: several South American birds teeter on the brink of existence due to habitat loss. And history is not the best guide for how to save them.
Coral bleaching in March 2016. Rapid rises of greenhouse gases in the past have been linked to major extinctions in the oceans.
XL Catlin Seaview Survey
Our entire knowledge of one of Australia’s extinct ancient giant birds is flawed because experts have been looking at remnants of the wrong egg the whole time.
Doomed dinos, but these Psittacosaurs weren’t killed by volcanic ash.
John Sibbick
When 100-year-old giant tortoise Lonesome George died in 2012, the world thought his species was lost forever. We went to the Galápagos Islands looking for ‘extinct’ tortoises – and we found them.
Fragments of woodland surrounded by cleared land in south west Australia.
Google Earth
Australia may have reputation for vast areas of wilderness, but in reality the continent’s ecosystems have been chopped and diced. Now we need to protect what’s left.
Sudan, the last remaining male northern white rhinoceros, meets the Maasai Cricket Warriors.
Thomas Mukoya / Reuters
A 21st century government would put the environment on at least an equal footing with the economy. That means no more extinctions, and no more putting ourselves before wildlife or future generations.
Thylacines are extinct - and perhaps we just have to accept it.
Wikimedia
Many ecosystems have changed so radically that it is no longer possible to restore them to what they once were and in other situations it is not appropriate.
Matthew Flinders Professor of Global Ecology and Models Theme Leader for the ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Flinders University