Giraffes are facing extinction, latest data show

Giraffes are facing extinction, latest data show

Bad news comes from the 13rd meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity held in Cancun, Mexico. The Red List of threatened Species, compiled by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), includes 85,604 species, 24,307 of which risk extinction. And giraffes are now among them. “Many species are

The giant panda is no longer endangered

The giant panda is no longer endangered

Good news for biodiversity: the giant panda is no longer endangered as its population is growing after the animal being on the brink of extinction since 1990. China’s extensive conservation and protection efforts are paying off as its most emblematic animal sees its status upgraded from being “endangered” to “vulnerable”. The announcement comes from the International Union for Conservation of Nature

Leopard populations have declined dramatically, new research reveals

Leopard populations have declined dramatically, new research reveals

New research contradicts the widely held belief that world leopard populations remain high compared to other big cats. The species (Panthera pardus) has lost as much as 75 percent of its habitat range, according to the study published in the scientific journal PeerJ. The findings are the result of a three-year effort and provide the

How the world came to celebrate Earth Day

How the world came to celebrate Earth Day

Earth Day was established on 22 April 1970 due to a rising need of protecting the environment and natural resources. The movement started in the United States and, on that occasion, millions of US citizens took to the streets for a historic demonstration for environmental protection. The lack of environmental regulations started raising concerns. After the publishing

The Leuser Ecosystem, the last place on Earth that needs to be protected

The Leuser Ecosystem, the last place on Earth that needs to be protected

With verdant and pristine rainforests and high peaks, the Gunung Leuser National Park, Indonesia, is a real treasure for biodiversity. It is home to species still unknown to science and, above all, it is the last place on Earth where Sumatran orangutans, elephants, bears, and rhinos roam freely in the wild. The lowland #rainforest of the

How the giants of the ocean are doing

How the giants of the ocean are doing

While most species of large whales are recovering from the collapse caused by commercial exploitation in the past two centuries, some populations are still struggling. A recent report, authored by experts of the Marine Mammal Commission in the U.S., reviews their status and highlights the main threats that these giants of the oceans are currently