‘Erasure of years of work’: outcry as White House moves to open Arctic reserve to oil and gas drilling
The Trump administration’s plan to expand oil and gas drilling in a 23m acre reserve on the Arctic Ocean is sparking an impassioned response, amid fears it threatens Arctic wildlife, undermines the subsistence rights of Alaska Natives, and imperils one of the fastest-warming ecosystems on Earth.
How radioactive rhino horns could help save the species from poachers
The black market trade in rhino horns is driving the species to near extinction. Now, scientists at a rhino orphanage in the Bushveld of South Africa are trying to protect them from poaching in a rather surprising way.
The law that saved the whales is under attack
A landmark law passed more than 50 years ago to protect whales, dolphins and other marine mammals in U.S. waters could be upended by amendments proposed on July 22 during a legislative hearing of the House Committee on Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries.
Alicia Silverstone, 48, says her diet is key to keeping her youthful
Forget injectables or plastic surgery. Alicia Silverstone, 48, says the key to aging well is in her fridge. In an interview with Byrdie, the ‘Clueless’ actor said she has never had Botox or fillers and has not undergone any cosmetic surgery.
Greenland wildlife crossing—set to be world’s largest—on time, under budget as project hits halfway mark
The project, located at milepost 165.4 near the Greenland interchange on I-25, is set to become the largest wildlife overpass in the world. It will be about 80,000 square feet in size and span six lanes of interstate traffic, connecting 54 square miles of protected land and open space.
Amur leopards, once nearly extinct, are making a comeback in Far East Asia
The Amur leopard lives in isolation in the freezing forests of southeast Russia and northeast China. It’s one of the most endangered of eight leopard subspecies in the world. Today, its population is on the upswing.
Interview: Saving polar bears and beluga whales
The initiative is part of a larger citizen science project that brings people from around the world to help researchers identify belugas from the visuals and make observations about them. This year, the project got an upgrade with the use of a new boat that houses the cameras and other equipment during the course of […]
Feather-like crest on Triassic reptile challenges ideas about reptile evolution
Body coverings such as hair and feathers have played a central role in evolution. They enabled warm-bloodedness by insulating the body, and were used for courtship, display, deterrence of enemies and, in the case of feathers, flight.
In landmark opinion, World Court says countries must address climate change
The United Nations’ highest court has told wealthy countries they must comply with their international commitments to curb pollution or risk having to pay compensation to nations hard hit by climate change.
Farm to fashion: how bananas became the next big thing
Global fashion produces about 3.3 billion tonnes of CO2 a year—and most of that comes from producing fabric. More than 16 percent of all insecticides are used on cotton and 300 million trees are cut down annually to make viscose—a third of them from endangered forests.
Large-scale illegal wildlife shops in Laos found scamming Chinese tourists
The tours target elderly Chinese nationals, promising them all-inclusive trips to explore the historic ties between the two countries, often via the China-Laos railway. Upon arrival, tour groups are ferried from one shop to another, where sellers—mostly Chinese nationals themselves—use coercive and manipulative sales tactics to pressure tourists into buying illegal wildlife products, most of […]
Could giving this pod of dolphins the same legal rights as humans help keep them safe?
With a bottlenose population threatened by fishing gear, boats and pollution, campaigners on South Korea’s Jeju island are lobbying to extend legal status to the vulnerable cetaceans. In April, there was a small but significant victory with the designation of a marine protected area (MPA) on the west side of the island, with the specific […]
