Conservation

Conservation is a major issue around the world with the impacts that humans have on natural ecosystems through activities from mining, building new cities and global warming. There are many conservation groups and efforts that lobby for the conservation of particular species (for example, the polar bear) or groups of animals (for example, tigers), while others are aimed at entire habitats, such as the Amazon rainforest. Conservation efforts can also aim to protect natural resources. Some conservation is done by setting aside national parks and wildlife preserves, while other conservation works targets specific threats to particular species. Read about various conservation efforts and issues below.
Latest about conservation

Crocodiles and gharials are getting bizarre orange 'tans' in Nepal. Here's why.
By Sascha Pare published
Researchers think it could be down to where these crocs are hanging out.

'Mini kangaroos on steroids' make comeback in South Australia after disappearing for 100 years
By Sascha Pare published
The tiny marsupials have a penchant for peanut butter, which researchers have used to help them monitor and conduct health checks on the population.

World's only known albino giant anteater appears to be thriving in the wild, photos show
By Harry Baker published
The white anteater, known as Alvin, was first spotted late last year clinging to his mother's back.

Long-extinct Tasmanian tiger may still be alive and prowling the wilderness, scientists claim
By Sascha Pare published
Based on reported sightings, some scientists say the iconic creature probably survived until the late 1980s or 1990s, but others are skeptical.

Largest freshwater turtle species doomed to extinction after last female washes up dead
By Harry Baker published
The known population of the Yangtze giant softshell turtle is now just two males. Experts said that if the female had survived, she could have "laid a hundred eggs or more a year."

Gigantic, 13-foot crocodile found with its head torn off on Australian beach
By Sascha Pare published
The beheading, which may have been motivated by a recent spate of crocodile attacks on humans, could spell trouble for the local ecosystem.

Black widows are being slaughtered by their brown widow cousins, and we don't know why
By Harry Baker published
Brown widow spiders, which are invasive to North America, are wiping out black widow populations in the U.S. by aggressively attacking them for no clear reason, a new study shows.

GPS-tagged possums and raccoons could be sacrificed to capture Florida's invasive pythons
By Harry Baker published
Researchers accidentally discovered that GPS-tagged mammals can help locate Florida's invasive Burmese pythons, which are destroying local ecosystems.
Stay up to date on the latest science news by signing up for our Essentials newsletter.
Thank you for signing up to Live Science. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.