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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)

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.

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 might be one of the last of his species, but researchers aren't giving up yet

November 29, 2018, 10:34 a.m. by Jaymi Heimbuch

Romeo the Sehuencas water frog desperately needs a girlfriend and a team of researchers are heading into the field to find his match.

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.

Scottish wildcats were feared for centuries, but now conservationists are fearing for them.

Scottish wildcats were feared for centuries, but now conservationists are fearing for them.

Can Scotland's feisty wildcats be brought back from the brink?

November 15, 2018, 3:26 p.m. by Jaymi Heimbuch

The adorable yet fierce native cat species may disappear within the next few years.

infant mountain gorilla

infant mountain gorilla

Mountain gorilla population rebounds

November 14, 2018, 2:12 p.m. by Mary Jo DiLonardo

Conservation efforts pay off for gentle giants of animal kingdom.

Two elephants cuddle one another.

Two elephants cuddle one another.

13 facts to change the way you see elephants

October 25, 2018, 11:29 a.m. by Jaymi Heimbuch

The more we learn about elephants, the more we realize they are like us in so many ways.

Rare turtles hatch on New York City beach

Rare turtles hatch on New York City beach

Endangered sea turtles hatch on N.Y. beach

October 11, 2018, 2:54 p.m. by Ben Bolton

For a baby Kemp's ridley sea turtle, Queens is a long way from home.

A dusky gopher frog

A dusky gopher frog

Why the little dusky gopher frog matters

October 2, 2018, 12:35 p.m. by Noel Kirkpatrick

Case before the Supreme Court could influence how the Endangered Species Act is used in the future.

Atlantic Forest

Atlantic Forest

A Brazilian rainforest is now being called an 'extinction vortex'

September 27, 2018, 12:09 a.m. by Bryan Nelson

Brazil's once-expansive Atlantic Forest has now almost completely disappeared.

A Bahama nuthatch perched on a Grand Bahama tree's limb

A Bahama nuthatch perched on a Grand Bahama tree's limb

Bird thought extinct discovered in the Bahamas

August 23, 2018, 2:40 p.m. by Noel Kirkpatrick

The Bahama nuthatch is still perched on the brink.

roloway monkey

roloway monkey

Meet the planet's 25 most endangered primates

August 20, 2018, 12:39 p.m. by Russell McLendon

We are pushing many of our fellow primates toward extinction.

A juvenile Brookesia micra is small enough to stand on the head of a match.

7 of the smallest amphibians and reptiles

El Ateneo Grand Splendid

17 extraordinary bookstores

Oden winter dish Japan

10 warming winter dishes from around the world