I joined @mikedigirolamo.bsky.social of @mongabay.com to discuss the awful hantavirus and Ebola outbreaks unfolding right now. Tragically, we keep re-learning the same lesson: our actions drive the increasing frequency of spillovers of viruses from animals to humans.

For over two decades, scientists researched the Bolivian "ghost dog," one of the world's least-known canids. The study found that this elusive animal lives primarily in protected areas and Indigenous territories within the Amazon, which are vital for its survival. Learn more!

Sharks aren't doing so hot, but there's lots of cool stuff going on in the world of shark science and conservation. I wrote about it for @mongabay.com after attending the world's largest shark conference in Sri Lanka.

Kenya’s Lake Turkana has risen by 10 meters over 15 years, displacing communities and altering fisheries. As heavy rainfall and dam dynamics reshape the area, a sharp decline in fish catches is fueling a crisis in this highly climate-vulnerable region. Christopher Clark reports for #Mongabay.

Known for its vibrant plumage, the Timor green pigeon faces extinction due to intense hunting. With the species now nearly extinct in Indonesia, experts say strengthening Indigenous protections and halting hunting in Timor-Leste are vital to saving the bird.

In 2019, a Persian leopard named Aren was first spotted in Armenia. Later that year, he was seen again, but he was missing a leg. Rangers believe he stepped on a landmine. Aren's story shows how roads, fences, & landmines fragment the habitat of this endangered species. By @ayleighk.bsky.social.

Organized crime has become a "major obstacle" to protecting the Amazon. A new report warns that cross-border armed groups are blocking park rangers and NGOs from protected forests, creating a governance vacuum that fuels drug trafficking, illegal mining, & violence. @aimeegabay.bsky.social reports.

Donald Trump once called trophy hunting a "horror show," but his administration issued more than 300 elephant trophy import permits in 2025, the most ever under his presidency. @spoorthyraman.bsky.social reports for #Mongabay. mongabay.cc/KZPXuS

Europe’s bottom trawling industry brings in an estimated of €180 million annually, but a new study finds its climate impacts cost society up to 90 times more. Scraping the seafloor releases centuries of stored carbon, creating billions in economic damage to human health and agriculture.

For the first time since the 1970s, elephants have returned to the Ugandan side of Mount Elgon. The Uganda Wildlife Authority calls it a major win for forest restoration efforts, while rangers work closely with local districts to protect crops and manage human-wildlife conflict.

In Zambia’s Eastern Province, a community radio station beams alerts to help villagers navigate human-wildlife conflict. Coupled with satellite technology that tracks destructive elephant herds, the program helps farmers coexist with wildlife. Ryan Truscott reports for #Mongabay.

An 18-year-old Zambian prodigy has built a new weather model to improve forecasting across sub-Saharan Africa. Shortlisted for the Earth Prize, Prosper Chanda’s peer-reviewed work fills a critical gap left by systems trained only on Western data. Victoria Schneider reports. mongabay.cc/PpWkru

“Leopards do not recognize political boundaries. Their survival depends on connected habitats and the ability to move safely across landscapes.” — Hana Raza, founder of Leopards Beyond Borders 🐆🐾 Feature for @mongabay.com 🐾🐆 news.mongabay.com/2026/05/enda...

Crop burning season in Thailand has become a trap for leopard cat cubs shelter in sugarcane fields. Leopard cat cub admissions at a rescue center have surged from 10 a year to up to 65 since 2023. Experts warn that habitat fragmentation are forcing these wild cats into agricultural landscapes.

“Nigeria is one of the largest producers of oil, and people in those regions have been suffering from the effect of soot for decades now,” Aina-Adeokun told @mongabay.com news.mongabay.com/short-articl... #AirPollution #Nigeria

How can organizations, researchers, practitioners, and community leaders share information with journalists? On June 1, join Mongabay’s “How Journalism Works” webinar and learn how to share story ideas, evidence, and context in ways that help journalists assess information! mongabay.cc/xCnvmq

Based on 35,000 days of camera footage, researchers found light pollution is reshaping predator-prey dynamics in California. The study shows pumas avoid bright areas, while mule deer use the light as a shield. This shrinks hunting grounds and pushes apex predators into riskier human spaces.

Honduran authorities seized a 1-year-old jaguar being kept as a pet by a local businessman. While illegal, the trade remains common among the wealthy due to low fines. The young female is now in rehab, though rewilding remains a difficult challenge. @spoorthyraman.bsky.social reports.

Cooler conditions have long protected Tasmania’s species, yet warming waters and runoff are eroding this sanctuary. Experts are calling for multimillion-dollar investments in watershed restoration to safeguard the island’s unique endemic wildlife. Stefan Lovgren reports for #Mongabay.

The Karajarri people have dedicated Australia’s first "Sea Country" Indigenous Protected Area, covering 237,000 hectares. This historic move in the Kimberley region empowers traditional owners as decision-makers and advances the nation's goal to protect 30% of its territory by 2030.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup faces a major climate hurdle: extreme heat. A new report warns that heat stress is twice as likely now as in 1994, with five matches expected to exceed dangerous thresholds, putting players and fans at risk. Learn more.

Researchers have described a new-to-science wasp genus, Attenboroughnculus tau, discovered in a London museum collection. Named for David Attenborough’s 100th birthday, this 3.5-millimeter parasitoid wasp highlights importance of museum collections in uncovering the world’s hidden biodiversity.

Antarctic waters are the site of a new push by China and Norway to expand krill fishing. While they propose a new management system, NGOs warn the fleet competes for food with endangered species like emperor penguins already struggling with climate change. @francescomda.bsky.social reports.

The popular Miyawaki method, known for dense urban planting, may not be as effective as claimed. A new scientific review found a lack of evidence for its supposed benefits, such as boosted carbon storage and enhanced biodiversity. Researchers are calling for a closer look at the data.

Bangladesh has passed the Haor and Wetlands Conservation Act, 2026, strictly banning encroachment and illegal mining. While the law introduces stiff fines and non-bailable offenses, experts warn that success hinges on coordinating the many agencies that manage these ecosystems. Learn more.

Look at this. This should be the practice everywhere.

After a decade of banning bottom trawling, Scotland’s South Arran Marine Protected Area has seen seabed life triple. New data shows billions of organisms are returning to the seafloor, rebuilding biodiverse "animal forests" that help store carbon and restore long-lost marine life.

Small-scale fishers are pushing back against the "blue economy," arguing the agenda often favors industry over local livelihoods. By organizing across continents, these communities are calling for "blue justice", a model that values human rights and marine tenure.

At world’s largest shark conference, scientists warn of a grim outlook across the board

After the quinoa boom, Bolivian farmers are grappling with soil depletion and erratic climate patterns. While growers in the southern Altiplano are cultivating a premium variant to bypass middlemen, a lack of state support hinder their success. @benjaminrswift.bsky.social reports for #Mongabay.

"Healthy people need healthy Country." The Karajarri people of Australia just dedicated the country's first Sea Country Indigenous Protected Area — 237,000 hectares of marine ecosystems in the Kimberley region, 30 years in the making. 🌊 Full story from @mongabay.com:

Climate change is pushing beavers north into the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. New research confirms they arrived in 2008, causing flooding and impacting Indigenous ways of life. Using shrub rings to track their spread helps communities manage this transforming landscape. 🦫 Learn more 🦫

Ecuador has shuttered just 10 of 247 oil wells in Yasuní National Park, despite a 2023 referendum to end drilling. Waorani leader Juan Bay warns that inaction continues to fuel environmental and cultural destruction in Indigenous territories. Read the full interview by @aimeegabay.bsky.social.

this is an extremely intelligent and social species so it is really no surprise that individual birds with a disability can not only survive, but thrive. still, very cool article

Africa’s amphibians are 99% endemic, yet only 12 specific action plans exist for them across the continent. Experts are calling for more research and community involvement to fill data gaps and protect these sensitive species from climate and habitat loss.

Nigeria is overhauling its wildlife laws to dismantle international trafficking rings. While conservationists applaud the new bill as a chance to reset the fight against wildlife crime, experts warn that success depends on consistent judicial support. @thevalentineben.bsky.social reports.

Targeted reforestation could be the lifeline for the endangered Javan leopard. Researchers have modeled how new forest corridors can help the remaining 320 leopards overcome human-made barriers, reducing the risks of inbreeding and conflict in densely populated Java. @basten.bsky.social reports.

In New Zealand, a kea named Bruce is proving that disability is no match for innovation. Despite missing his upper beak, Bruce used "jousting" techniques to win 100% of his battles and become the alpha male. Researchers say his success suggests that behavioral flexibility is a key to survival.

In eastern Indonesia, communities are reviving customary marine systems to fight destructive fishing and habitat loss. As shown in the film "Jejak Wallacea," these Indigenous-led patrols and seasonal closures are protecting species like thresher sharks and sea turtles. Hans Nicholas Jong reports.

A new Indigenous-led data platform is set to transform how businesses engage with First Nations in Canada. By verifying territory maps and governance data, founder Robert Jago aims to reduce conflicts over extractive projects through transparency and information. @oliviaferrari.bsky.social reports.

In a new episode of the Mongabay Newscast, veteran environmental activists Annie Leonard and André Carothers discuss why protest is a fundamental pillar of progress, and why it is currently under fire. Listen to the full conversation with @mikedigirolamo.bsky.social. 🎧 mongabay.cc/9aegT8 🎧

In the Brazilian Pantanal, riverine women work 12-hour days in murky waters to fuel luxury fishing tourism. Despite their essential role, these bait gatherers struggle with poverty and a lack of government support. Meet these women and their story. Mariana Rosetti and Paola Churchill report.

How do journalists decide what to report? Join Mongabay’s first "How Journalism Works" webinar for an inside look at how our newsroom assesses story ideas. 📆 Date: June 1, 2026 Register today and learn how to engage with journalists. 👉️ mongabay.cc/xCnvmq

When scientists fled the Gashaka Gumti National Park due to insecurity, only a few stayed behind to protect "their friends", the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee. Today, peace and research have returned to this vital stronghold. Watch our film on the resilience of Gashaka’s chimps. mongabay.cc/CkcLQF

Illegal tin mining and oil palm expansion are destroying wetlands on Indonesia’s Bangka Island, leading to a surge in saltwater crocodile attacks. With 21 victims reported in five years, residents and experts warn that stopping habitat destruction is the only way to end the conflict.

A global "least concern" status can be a dangerous mask for the mainland leopard cat. While abundant range-wide, some local groups are critically endangered by habitat loss and hunting. Scientists urge for stronger regional monitoring to protect this ecologically vital species. mongabay.cc/hd4sRr

Four conservation groups have launched the Jaguar Rivers Initiative to protect the Paraná River Basin and reconnect fragmented ecosystems across Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay. By 2030, the project aims to secure 1,200 square kilometers of land and rebuild vital wildlife corridors.

Position opening! Mongabay is seeking a Philanthropy Associate to help us expand our reporting on the world’s most pressing conservation issues. Learn more and apply now! 👉️ mongabay.cc/DV6xPM

If we lose the Amazon rainforest, we will lose a large portion of our planet's biodiversity. There are more fruits, nuts, and fish that you can only find there and nowhere else than have even been counted by modern science. To say nothing about the birds and insect species.

European wildcats are breeding in the Lusatian Mountains in Czech Republic for the first time in decades. While the species is recovering in Central Europe, these critically endangered cats still face local extinction elsewhere due to a lack of population data and habitat loss.