Endangered Species | MNN - Mother Nature Network

MNN.com > Endangered Species

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)

Two elephants cuddle one another.

Two elephants cuddle one another.

13 facts to change the way you see elephants

June 10, 2019, 10:18 a.m. by Jaymi Heimbuch

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

koala

koala

10 things you didn't know about koalas

May 16, 2019, 10:37 a.m. by Melissa Breyer

Koalas aren't bears and they don't rarely drink water.

giant panda in a tree

giant panda in a tree

New panda park in China will be much bigger than Yellowstone

May 14, 2019, 1:33 p.m. by Mary Jo DiLonardo

The massive refuge will connect bear populations and should help with finding mates.

feral cat in Australia

feral cat in Australia

Australia declares 'war on cats'

April 26, 2019, 8:48 a.m. by Laura Moss

Country plans to eliminate 2 million feral cats by 2020 and bans outdoor cats.

Hibiscadelphus woodii, Hawaiian hibiscus flower

Hibiscadelphus woodii, Hawaiian hibiscus flower

Drone reveals 'extinct' Hawaiian flower growing on remote cliff

April 24, 2019, 8:25 a.m. by Russell McLendon

The rediscovery of this hibiscus relative in Hawaii illustrates the growing importance of drones in wildlife conservation.

A baby right whale swims with its mother in Cape Cod Bay off Massachusetts.

A baby right whale swims with its mother in Cape Cod Bay off Massachusetts.

Calf sightings in Cape Cod Bay are big news for endangered right whales

April 15, 2019, 12:23 p.m. by Mary Jo DiLonardo

Two mother-and-calf pairs have been spotted so far this year in Cape Cod Bay.

vaquita

vaquita

Earth's tiniest porpoise approaches extinction

March 19, 2019, 10:10 a.m. by Russell McLendon

As few as 10 vaquitas may be left on Earth, down from 100 in 2014 and 30 in 2017.

lone wolf

lone wolf

Africa's rarest carnivores face threats from disease-carrying dogs

March 11, 2019, 9:34 a.m. by Jaymi Heimbuch

Scientists hope a new vaccination campaign will give Ethiopian wolves a fighting chance at survival.

gray wolf in woodsy setting

gray wolf in woodsy setting

Government pushes to remove gray wolf from endangered species list

March 7, 2019, 1:19 p.m. by MNN Editors

Fish & Wildlife proposes letting states, tribes manage populations.

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.

Scientist with petri dishes, eradicated diseases

8 deadly diseases cured by modern science

Two elephants cuddle one another.

13 facts to change the way you see elephants

Cat's Paw Nebula, Spitzer telescope

10 spectacular images from NASA's Spitzer telescope