Conservation
Between climate change and biodiversity loss, planet Earth’s animal and plant species have never faced more severe threats. So, conservation is more important than ever. Preserving ecosystems around the world is essential to prevent biodiversity collapse, since all species are intricately connected with each other. If one species loses its source of food or its habitat, the others that share its environment will suffer. Conservationists try to prevent extinction by maintaining and restoring habitats. We can all do our bit to protect nature by planting more trees and wildflowers, recycling, supporting environmental charities and living the most eco-friendy life possible.
Why new climate breakthroughs mean you should have (some) hope in 2024
Forget the disheartening headlines, 2023 has seen stories of true hope for the planet's future.
There’s a hidden wildlife crisis at the heart of the UK countryside
Despite their pretty appearance, the UK’s woodlands, wetlands and wildflower meadows are in a poor ecological state.
Paper straws contain more potentially toxic ‘forever chemicals’ than plastic. Should you give them up?
Many paper straws tested by scientists contain significant amounts of chemicals that don't biodegrade.
Meet the fearless scientists saving Antarctic whales… With crossbows and tiny inflatable boats
How do you study a gigantic mammal that migrates over thousands of miles and spends most of its time underwater? Here’s how the latest tech is shaping the future of whale conservation.
Critically endangered chimpanzee born at Chester Zoo offers new species hope
The rare Western chimpanzee will be named after a rock or pop star, the zoo says.
Genome-sequencing project may save one of the world’s last surviving species of giant tortoise
Madagascar’s Aldabra giant tortoise is currently classified as vulnerable, meaning the species is at high risk of extinction in the wild.
Scientists could create a genetic doppelgänger of a Tasmanian Tiger. But will it be wild enough to avoid extinction a second time?
Is using the genes from a close relative species really de-extincting the iconic marsupial and will the resulting animal even be able to survive?
Back from the brink of extinction: The best conservation success stories
A new book by Marc Schlossman highlights some of the biggest conservation success stories in science.
Insect populations are dying out. Here’s why that doesn’t have to be the case
We talk to Dave Goulson, a professor of biology and author of Silent Earth: Averting the Insect Apocalypse.
Instant Genius Podcast | UK wildlife, with Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin
Naturalists Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin join us on our podcasts, Instant Genius and Instant Genius Extra.
How your weekly shop could help prevent a mass extinction
By buying more diverse foods, you can not only support conservation efforts, but discover a huge variety of flavours.
9 ways you can help to save insects from extinction
Insects are in decline, and this could be disastrous for our planet. What can we do to help?
Instant Genius Podcast | Endangered foods, with Dan Saladino
Food journalist Dan Saladino joins us on our podcasts, Instant Genius and Instant Genius Extra.
Inbreeding might actually have saved the Kakapo, a rare waddling parrot, from extinction
Analysis of the charismatic flightless bird's genome shows very few harmful mutations despite 10,000 years of isolation and inbreeding.
Instant Genius Podcast | The decline of the insects, with Prof Dave Goulson
Entomologist Prof Dave Goulson joins us on our podcasts Instant Genius and Instant Genius Extra.
Study of rhino's family tree could help save them from extinction
Rhinoceroses naturally have low genetic diversity. This means we may be able to recover their numbers despite there only being a few of them left, the researchers say.
Scientists are burying 2,000 pairs of underpants in Switzerland
Exploring a new Y-frontier in ecological research.
Smart sperm whales can teach each other to avoid hunters
New analysis of 200-year-old whaler logbooks shows evidence of social learning in ocean mammals
Endangered ferret cloned from specimen frozen for 30 years
The healthy young ferret kit was bred using the genes of an animal that died more than 30 years ago.
In pictures: The moment Kenyan conservationists rescued a marooned giraffe by boat
When a group of endangered Rothschild's giraffes got stuck on an island, there was only one thing to do: sail them to safety on a raft.
Elephant populations surveyed from space using artificial intelligence
The world-first study opens the door to more effective methods of monitoring the movements of endangered species.
World’s most threatened orangutan species ‘in more trouble than previously thought’
The rare primate was already classified as critically endangered when it was first identified in 2017.
What wildlife can I see on Britain's rocky shores?
In this extract from Britain's Habitats by Sophie Lake, Durwyn Liley, Robert Still and Andy Swash, the authors explain the types of wildlife that live on a rocky shore.
What wildlife can I see in British hedgerows?
Hedgerows are not as common as they once were, but they provide an important habitat for thousands of species. By Sophie Lake, Durwyn Liley, Robert Still and Andy Swash.