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White tiger endangered

A species is considered endangered if it is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. Species include birds, insects, fish, reptiles, mammals, crustaceans, flowers, grasses and trees. There are approximately 1,300 endangered or threatened species in the U.S. today.

The importance of biological diversity to human society is immeasurable. However, human activities the world over are causing the progressive loss of species of plants and animals at a rate far higher than the natural background rate of extinction.

An estimated 40 percent of the global economy is based on biological products and processes. Poor people, especially those living in areas of low agricultural productivity, depend especially heavily on the genetic diversity of the environment. The effective use of biodiversity at all levels — genes, species and ecosystems — is therefore a precondition for sustainable development. (Source: EPA, UNEP, NOAA / Photo: Flickr)

endangered species youth art contest

endangered species youth art contest

Calling all kids to draw (and honor) their favorite endangered species

January 16, 2019, 12:57 p.m. by Jacqueline Gulledge

The 2019 Saving Endangered Species Youth Art Contest is open to children in grades K-12.

Bolivian Amphibian Initiative is making 10 expeditions to locations where the species was once common, hoping to find Romeo a female mate. And who wouldn't love that face?

Bolivian Amphibian Initiative is making 10 expeditions to locations where the species was once common, hoping to find Romeo a female mate. And who wouldn't love that face?

Romeo, one of the last of his species, will finally meet his Juliet

January 15, 2019, 11:49 a.m. by Jaymi Heimbuch

Romeo the Sehuencas water frog desperately needed a girlfriend and a team of researchers found her along with several others.

poʻouli, or black-faced honeycreeper

poʻouli, or black-faced honeycreeper

In memory of species declared extinct in 2018 — plus one we've already lost in 2019

January 10, 2019, 12:05 p.m. by Russell McLendon

Extinctions are a wake-up call to protect what's left.

Panther crossing sign in Florida

Panther crossing sign in Florida

Proposed mega-development could pose threat to iconic Florida panther

January 7, 2019, 8:21 a.m. by Matt Hickman

In Florida, not even the state animal is safe from new development.

tree frog, Hyloscirtus hillisi

tree frog, Hyloscirtus hillisi

Tree frog with strange claw discovered in remote Andean dwarf forest

January 4, 2019, 8:20 a.m. by Russell McLendon

The newly identified species may already be at risk of extinction due to habitat loss, researchers report.

North Atlantic right whale that a team of state and federal biologists assisted in disentangling off Daytona Beach.

North Atlantic right whale that a team of state and federal biologists assisted in disentangling off Daytona Beach.

The North Atlantic right whale could be extinct in 20 years

January 2, 2019, 10:47 a.m. by Noel Kirkpatrick

19 of the 450 remaining whales died from 2017-2018, pushing the species even closer to the edge of extinction.

Texas canines that share DNA with coyotes and red wolves

Texas canines that share DNA with coyotes and red wolves

Mysterious Texas canines have 'ghost' DNA of red wolves

December 26, 2018, 8:21 a.m. by Russell McLendon

Genetic relics from a 'ghost population' of red wolves seem to live on in these coyote-like creatures.

two giraffes at the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, Africa

two giraffes at the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, Africa

Why wild giraffes are suffering a 'silent extinction'

December 18, 2018, 12:22 p.m. by Russell McLendon

The iconic animals have declined more than 40 percent in 30 years, potentially facing extinction yet drawing little global attention.

redwood tree sapling cloned from Fieldbrook stump

redwood tree sapling cloned from Fieldbrook stump

Conservationists plant a 'super grove' of redwood trees cloned from ancient stumps

December 17, 2018, 8:20 a.m. by Russell McLendon

The clones come from trees that were larger than any alive today.

Smugglers are taking advantage of habitat destruction to profit from poached plants, like the small-growing Aztekium ritteri, seen here growing in cultivation.

Smugglers are taking advantage of habitat destruction to profit from poached plants, like the small-growing Aztekium ritteri, seen here growing in cultivation.

Why the black market for cacti and succulents is booming

December 1, 2018, 11:10 a.m. by Tom Oder

Part of the issue is habitat destruction, but the bigger problem is poaching by highly organized global smuggling rings.

A frozen Kemp’s ridley

A frozen Kemp’s ridley

Huge numbers of frozen sea turtles are washing up in Cape Cod

November 27, 2018, 10:23 a.m. by Christian Cotroneo

Rescuers in Cape Cod are racing to save wave after wave of 'cold-stunned' sea turtles.

wild Javan rhino taking a mud bath

wild Javan rhino taking a mud bath

Conservationists record a 'surreal' encounter with a rare forest rhino taking a mud bath

November 19, 2018, 9:15 a.m. by Russell McLendon

Only 68 critically endangered Javan rhinos are left on Earth.

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