New research shows nature started its long road to recovery in 2020 – especially in NSW and Victoria. But overall conditions across large swathes of the country remain poor.
An African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) in Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Republic of the Congo.
Nicolas Deloche/Godong/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
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.
The Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis), lives in scattered populations across distant mountain ranges in Ethiopia, and its remarkable resilience suggests recovery is possible if threats like habitat loss and degradation can be kept at bay.
(Shutterstock)
Reports of global biodiversity doom hide a more complex and encouraging picture. Conservation efforts can be targeted with more nuance species population data.
The giant predators were a deadly danger to early European explorers of the Arctic.
Chris Hellier/Corbis Historical via Getty Images
Presenting accounts of technological success in captive lion breeding against the backdrop of rapidly diminishing wildlife loss lets humans off the hook too easily.
A hybrid of the Turkmen and Iranian wild ass, introduced to Israel in 1968.
Lilith Zecherle
Increasing plastic pollution in southern hemisphere oceans adds a deadly threat to albatrosses, already among the world’s most imperiled seabirds with 73% of species threatened with extinction.
A detailed map of the koala genome is vital to understanding their susceptibility to disease, their genetic diversity, and how they may respond to new environmental pressures.
Numbats are among 20 mammals on the federal government’s priority list.
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The first Threatened Species Strategy fizzled out last year without making a big difference to conservation. With the next strategy due to roll out this year, let’s look at what needs to change.
Rodd’s star hair (Astrotricha roddii) an Endangered NSW shrub.
Gavin Phillips/NSW DPIE, Saving Our Species
A trace fossil of an iguana burrow was discovered on San Salvador Island in the Bahamas. Estimated to be 115,000 years old, it is the first known fossil of its kind.
Storm petrels are one of the world’s most abundant seabirds, but their numbers have plummeted in some places.
(Shutterstock)
Seabird colonies are thought to be in rapid decline. But knowing just how severe the loss is can be a challenge, so some scientists are turning to bird poop for the answer.
Breeding in captivity is expensive, and means the animal’s gene pool will be sorely depleted. Using sperm and egg freezing and IVF techniques can reduce that.
Men standing with pile of buffalo skulls, Michigan Carbon Works, Rougeville MI, 1892.
(Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library)
China’s signature foreign policy is controversial for lots of reasons. But the environmental damage potentially wrought by the project has received scant attention.
There are 85 ‘threatened ecological communities’ listed under Australian environment law. But unrealistic criteria means they’re not adequately protected.
Jaime Bran/Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
This newly discovered ancient monk seal is challenging previous theories about how and where monachine seals evolved. It’s the biggest breakthrough in seal evolution research in about 70 years.
COVID-19 restrictions led to calls to open up golf courses to the public. But these are such precious refuges for native flora and fauna that access will have to be carefully managed.