Endangered Species

The US Endangered Species list has more than doubled in the last two decades. Here's the latest on policies, conservation, and on-the-ground efforts to save threatened plants and animals.

Latest in Endangered Species

Rio Grande silvery minnow endangered fish on black background

Animals

An endangered fish’s story follows the vanishing waters of the Rio Grande An endangered fish’s story follows the vanishing waters of the Rio Grande

a white lab rat held in a gloved hand

Animals

These sterile mice have been modified to make rat sperm These sterile mice have been modified to make rat sperm

Iberian lynx licking its lips in captive breeding program

Animals

The curious case of an endangered wildcat and a disappearing fruit tree The curious case of an endangered wildcat and a disappearing fruit tree

A crow and a vulture with a bright red head stand facing one another on a leaf-covered forest floor.

Animals

The wackiest-looking birds are the most at risk for extinction The wackiest-looking birds are the most at risk for extinction

By Philip Kiefer

a large black stick bug isolated on a black background

Animals

Macro portraits reveal the glamor and peril of endangered insects Macro portraits reveal the glamor and peril of endangered insects

By Lauren J. Young

SpaceX rocket launch facility near Boca Chica, Texas.

Animals

What SpaceX’s final Starbase permits could mean for Texas wildlife What SpaceX’s final Starbase permits could mean for Texas wildlife

By Kristine Liao

A baby sea turtle on a beach near some sea turtle tracks, and some people in the background.

Animals

Safely share the beach with endangered sea turtles this summer Safely share the beach with endangered sea turtles this summer

By Alisha McDarris

Animals

Inside the Yurok Tribe’s mission to make critically endangered condors thrive Inside the Yurok Tribe’s mission to make critically endangered condors thrive

By Brian Oaster / High Country News

Map of vulnerable species in the United States.

Animals

Here’s where biodiversity is disappearing the quickest in the US Here’s where biodiversity is disappearing the quickest in the US

By Sara Kiley Watson

a gray wolf looks over its shoulder in the snow

Animals

Snowy weather could determine life or death for Wisconsin’s poached gray wolves Snowy weather could determine life or death for Wisconsin’s poached gray wolves

By Kate Baggaley

a woman in a face mask and blue protective gloves holds up a black collection apparatus in the air in a densely forested environment. a sloth hangs from a tree nearby

Animals

Airborne animal DNA could help biologists track endangered species Airborne animal DNA could help biologists track endangered species

By Philip Kiefer

More skunks can do handstands than we thought

Animals

More skunks can do handstands than we thought More skunks can do handstands than we thought

By Kate Baggaley

Dehorned adult white rhino in the grasses of John Hume's captive breeding ranch in South Africa

Animals

Does South Africa still need private rhino breeders to fight poaching? Does South Africa still need private rhino breeders to fight poaching?

By Ed Stoddard/Undark

Munu the black rhino in his enclosure

Animals

This blind rhino’s infrared security system could help stop poachers This blind rhino’s infrared security system could help stop poachers

By Rachael Zisk

Green garage door next to a Colorado house

Animals

An extremely rare mammal decided to crash in a Colorado garage An extremely rare mammal decided to crash in a Colorado garage

By Sage Marshall/Field & Stream

Saving the Seas: Smarter Hooks and Nets

Animals

Saving the Seas: Smarter Hooks and Nets Saving the Seas: Smarter Hooks and Nets

Animals

Nine Populations Of Humpback Whales Leap Off Endangered Species List Nine Populations Of Humpback Whales Leap Off Endangered Species List

By Mary Beth Griggs

Inside the high-tech, last-ditch effort to save the northern white rhino

Animals

Inside the high-tech, last-ditch effort to save the northern white rhino Inside the high-tech, last-ditch effort to save the northern white rhino

By Millie Kerr

indian pangolin

Animals

The Pangolin Finally Made It Onto The List Of The World’s Most Protected Animals The Pangolin Finally Made It Onto The List Of The World’s Most Protected Animals

Close-up of a furry, grey and beige mouse with round ears standing on red dirt.

Animals

An ‘extinct’ Australian mouse has been thriving on a remote protected island An ‘extinct’ Australian mouse has been thriving on a remote protected island

These ancient deep-sea fish can live five times as long as biologists expected

Animals

These ancient deep-sea fish can live five times as long as biologists expected These ancient deep-sea fish can live five times as long as biologists expected

How bomb detectors discovered a hidden pod of singing blue whales

Animals

How bomb detectors discovered a hidden pod of singing blue whales How bomb detectors discovered a hidden pod of singing blue whales

An Alagoas Brazilian screech owl

Animals

Whose hoot? DNA and sound studies help define two new owl species in Brazil. Whose hoot? DNA and sound studies help define two new owl species in Brazil.

By Erin Fennessy

Male greater sage-grouse bird with air sacs on display in grassland habitat

Animals

How one Western bird’s numbers went from abundant to alarmingly low How one Western bird’s numbers went from abundant to alarmingly low

By Benjamin Alva Polley/Field & Stream

Close up detail of a grey wolf.

Animals

Wisconsin permitted people to hunt a contentious species. That might change next year. Wisconsin permitted people to hunt a contentious species. That might change next year.

By Phil Bourjaily/Field & Stream

three black-footed ferrets

Animals

The fight to save America’s most endangered mammal The fight to save America’s most endangered mammal

wisconsin wolf hunt

Animals

Wisconsin hunters have already killed more gray wolves than allowed Wisconsin hunters have already killed more gray wolves than allowed

By Alan Clemons/ Outdoor Life

sharks in the ocean

Animals

Sharks and rays are far less abundant in the world’s oceans than 50 years ago Sharks and rays are far less abundant in the world’s oceans than 50 years ago

By Kate Baggaley

The Trump border wall made of concrete and steel on the edge of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Arizona

Animals

How the Trump border wall sapped a desert oasis dry How the Trump border wall sapped a desert oasis dry

By Lucy Sherriff

Animals

Gray wolves are leaving the endangered species list. But should they? Gray wolves are leaving the endangered species list. But should they?

A Blakiston's fish owl hunting for masu salmon in a river

Animals

The quest to snare—and save—the world’s largest owl The quest to snare—and save—the world’s largest owl

By Jonathan Slaght

sharks in the ocean

Animals

Reef sharks around the world are in trouble Reef sharks around the world are in trouble

By Kate Baggaley

Rhinos with oxpeckers on their back.

Animals

Rhinos pay a painful price for oxpecker protection Rhinos pay a painful price for oxpecker protection

By Sara Kiley Watson

Diego the giant tortoise at a captive-breeding facility

Animals

Did a high sex drive really save the giant tortoise from extinction? Did a high sex drive really save the giant tortoise from extinction?

arctic terns flying against clouds with person silhouetted against background

Animals

Marine parks need to move along with the animals they’re protecting Marine parks need to move along with the animals they’re protecting

a closeup of a male black Homalictus achrostu

Animals

These newly discovered iridescent bees are already at risk of extinction These newly discovered iridescent bees are already at risk of extinction

Trump is attacking the Endangered Species Act when we need it most

Animals

Trump is attacking the Endangered Species Act when we need it most Trump is attacking the Endangered Species Act when we need it most

Southern California’s mountain lions might soon go extinct

Animals

Southern California’s mountain lions might soon go extinct Southern California’s mountain lions might soon go extinct

Animals

The endangered species list is full of ghosts The endangered species list is full of ghosts

Inside America’s largest collection of stuffed endangered animals

Animals

Inside America’s largest collection of stuffed endangered animals Inside America’s largest collection of stuffed endangered animals

By Bart Vandever

The fate of future endangered species could hinge on a semantic argument

Animals

The fate of future endangered species could hinge on a semantic argument The fate of future endangered species could hinge on a semantic argument

Animals

Here are 10 plants and animals that might have gone extinct without the Endangered Species Act Here are 10 plants and animals that might have gone extinct without the Endangered Species Act

manta ray swims through Flower Garden Banks

Animals

Why biologists are so excited to find a bunch of puny manta rays Why biologists are so excited to find a bunch of puny manta rays

This albatross couple adopted a baby of another species

Animals

This albatross couple adopted a baby of another species This albatross couple adopted a baby of another species

By Kim Steutermann Rogers

Animals

Local knowledge can save endangered animals Local knowledge can save endangered animals

By Leanne Cullen-Unsworth, Benjamin L. Jones, and Richard K.F. Unsworth/The Conversation

Florida’s climate might—maybe—save a handful of America’s ash trees

Animals

Florida’s climate might—maybe—save a handful of America’s ash trees Florida’s climate might—maybe—save a handful of America’s ash trees

By Ellen Airhart

To save endangered whales, look to the poop

Animals

To save endangered whales, look to the poop To save endangered whales, look to the poop

By Kate Baggaley

Acipenser sinensis (Chinese sturgeon)

Animals

Ten of the ugliest animals threatened by climate change Ten of the ugliest animals threatened by climate change

By Kendra Pierre-Louis

Animals

Resurrecting extinct animals might do more harm than good Resurrecting extinct animals might do more harm than good

Animals

Hunters may need to keep their paws off Wisconsin wolves Hunters may need to keep their paws off Wisconsin wolves

Scientists want to give the world a second chance at Caspian tigers

Animals

Scientists want to give the world a second chance at Caspian tigers Scientists want to give the world a second chance at Caspian tigers

WTF is a pangolin? Fall in love with this sentient artichoke before it goes extinct

Animals

WTF is a pangolin? Fall in love with this sentient artichoke before it goes extinct WTF is a pangolin? Fall in love with this sentient artichoke before it goes extinct

By Rachel Feltman

Animals

Some Australians Want To Rent Out Endangered Wildlife Some Australians Want To Rent Out Endangered Wildlife

By Grennan Milliken

Here’s What You Can Do To Help The Declining Bee Population

Animals

Here’s What You Can Do To Help The Declining Bee Population Here’s What You Can Do To Help The Declining Bee Population

By Samantha Cole

Animals

Good News: Giant Pandas No Longer Endangered Good News: Giant Pandas No Longer Endangered

By Mary Beth Griggs

Animals

Scientists Want To Bring A Bird Back From Extinction Scientists Want To Bring A Bird Back From Extinction

By Corey Mueller

Contaminated Carcasses Are Poisoning Critically Endangered California Condors

Animals

Contaminated Carcasses Are Poisoning Critically Endangered California Condors Contaminated Carcasses Are Poisoning Critically Endangered California Condors

By Mary Beth Griggs

Research on Red, Eastern Wolves’ Ancestry Questions Protected Status Of Possible Hybrids

Animals

Research on Red, Eastern Wolves’ Ancestry Questions Protected Status Of Possible Hybrids Research on Red, Eastern Wolves’ Ancestry Questions Protected Status Of Possible Hybrids

By Meaghan Lee Callaghan

To Save Black-Footed Ferrets, Scientists Will Bring Back DNA From Frozen Specimens

Animals

To Save Black-Footed Ferrets, Scientists Will Bring Back DNA From Frozen Specimens To Save Black-Footed Ferrets, Scientists Will Bring Back DNA From Frozen Specimens

By Kate Baggaley

Tiny, Eyeless Catfish Found In Texas Cave

Animals

Tiny, Eyeless Catfish Found In Texas Cave Tiny, Eyeless Catfish Found In Texas Cave

By Meaghan Lee Callaghan

Man-Eating Lion Sentenced To Life In Prison In India

Animals

Man-Eating Lion Sentenced To Life In Prison In India Man-Eating Lion Sentenced To Life In Prison In India

By Meaghan Lee Callaghan

40 Tiger Cubs Found In Freezer Of Controversial “Tiger Temple” In Thailand

Animals

40 Tiger Cubs Found In Freezer Of Controversial “Tiger Temple” In Thailand 40 Tiger Cubs Found In Freezer Of Controversial “Tiger Temple” In Thailand

By Meaghan Lee Callaghan

Scarface, Yellowstone’s Most Famous Bear, Illegally Shot Dead

Animals

Scarface, Yellowstone’s Most Famous Bear, Illegally Shot Dead Scarface, Yellowstone’s Most Famous Bear, Illegally Shot Dead

By Grennan Milliken

The Bears That Inspired Teddy Bears Are No Longer Endangered

Animals

The Bears That Inspired Teddy Bears Are No Longer Endangered The Bears That Inspired Teddy Bears Are No Longer Endangered

By Mary Beth Griggs