[Founder's briefs] Today, the world celebrates Jane Goodall Day, but rather than just a commemoration, it represents a call to action. From Roots & Shoots to community-led conservation, her legacy lives on through local leaders linking the well-being of people, animals, and our shared environment.

Scientists have uncovered 11 new species in Cambodia’s isolated karst caves. From a turquoise pit viper to micro-snails, these "living laboratories" face urgent threats from quarrying and poaching. Only 1% of these ecosystems are protected globally. Learn more. 👇️

Covering an area the size of Sweden, the "Bat Ripple" is vital for Australia’s forests. Despite an 80% population drop in some areas due to heat stress, these flying foxes continue to out-move birds in spreading pollen and seeds over thousands of kilometers. Learn more! 👇️ mongabay.cc/Qb8VFy

April 3, now recognized as Jane Goodall Day, is a day of action to carry forward the habits and responsibilities she encouraged, rather than simply commemorate her A long-time @mongabay.com advisory board member, we got to know this legend & bask in her glow, and carry her message of hope forward:

A landmark ruling against a Thai gold mine marks a step toward accountability, yet villagers face uncertain justice. With payouts delayed by appeals and compensation falling short of the actual health and environmental costs, the battle for remediation continues. Learn more. 👇️

Used for centuries by the Cacua people but unknown to science, the táam palm is now officially described as Attalea taam. By co-authoring the study with Indigenous experts, researchers in Colombia prove that traditional knowledge is essential for modern botany. @sofiamoutinho.bsky.social reports.

Forest restoration in Madagascar faces a "pernicious" threat: the strawberry guava. As lemurs spread their seeds, this nonnative tree takes over damaged habitats. Conservationists warn that this invasive takeover is complicating vital forest restoration efforts. Ryan Truscott reports for #Mongabay.

A new investigation from @mongabay.com and @cnn.com uses Global Fishing Watch tools and Deep Sea Mining Watch to track deep-sea mining research vessels over five years. The analysis shows limited time in mining zones, and activity elsewhere across the ocean. https://bit.ly/3NOJ3ut

Researchers have documented over 7,000 sharks & rays, providing a clear picture of Cameroon’s shark & ray populations. With 13 critically endangered species identified, this research reveals the urgent need to protect juveniles and set conservation priorities. By Shuimo Trust Dohyee for #Mongabay.

In Ethiopia’s Somali region, worsening drought is doing more than killing livestock, it is eroding the ancient social insurance systems that have sustained pastoralists for generations. “When everyone is suffering, there is little left to share.” Kaleab Girma reports for #Mongabay.

A good listen via a great podcast about outdoor adventure & our place in the natural world Click play for an interesting conversation about #conservation w/ @mongabay.com CEO @rhettayersbutler.bsky.social for the Adventure Podcast's 'far reaches' series Listen here: shows.acast.com/the-adventur...

Scientists have discovered that Congo Basin lakes release carbon far older than previously thought. This "ancient" release challenges our understanding of peatland carbon dynamics and highlights the urgent need for more research into these ecosystems. @john-cannon.bsky.social reports for #Mongabay.

With 4.4 million people facing annual floods, the Indonesian government is auditing firms in Borneo’s watersheds. Experts say restoring drainage capacity is key to protecting settlements from the runoff inundating the province every year. Learn more in this report by Riyad Dafhi Rizki for #Mongabay

This week on Mongabay’s Newscast, host @mikedigirolamo.bsky.social is joined by political ecologist @brambuscher.bsky.social to discuss why conservation efforts must understand and "challenge the power structures" to succeed. Listen to this new episode! 🎧️ mongabay.cc/q3Sh2g 🎧️

Experts warn a proposed Peru-Brazil railway could devastate the Amazon. Even without a "definitive route," any path through Ucayali or Madre de Dios risks harming Indigenous communities and opening the door to illegal mining and drug trafficking. Yvete Sierra Praeli reports for #Mongabay.

[Founder's briefs] Rangers face rising violence and trauma with little mental health support. A recent attack at Upemba National Park that left seven dead highlights a grim reality: without support of those on the front lines, conservation cannot be sustained. By Rhett Ayers Butler.

West African nations are proposing one of the first high seas marine protected areas. Spanning from Senegal to Nigeria, this MPA aims to protect a global biodiversity hotspot from industrial fishing and deep-sea mining. Learn more in this report by Victoria Schneider for #Mongabay.

For the first time since the 1980s, wild rhinos are back in Uganda. Four southern white rhinos from a 20-year breeding program have been released into Kidepo Valley National Park, a major milestone that strengthens the park's biodiversity and marks a new chapter for conservation in the region.

Mountain gorilla twins occur in less than 1% of births, yet Virunga just welcomed its second pair of 2026. This "extraordinary" growth reflects the tireless work of rangers in the DRC to protect this endangered species from poaching and conflict. More in this report by David Akana for #Mongabay.

I wrote about the origins of the potato in the Peruvian Andes in 2024 and its relationship with Ireland (and more specifically, me/my Irish family. The work by Indigenous women at "Potato Park" is fascinating and vital! Great to come across this piece as I #AmWriting on #FoodSecurity. #potato

With the heat index hitting 45°C, officials in Sri Lanka are urging safeguards against "extreme" temperatures. This prolonged heatwave, lasting until mid-May, challenges traditional weather models as experts look beyond El Niño for the cause. Reports Kamanthi Wickramasinghe for #Mongabay.

How humans treat the natural world is increasingly dominated by a small class of elite political entities and corporations, argues political ecologist Bram Buscher on this week’s @mongabay.com Newscast. Speaking truth to this power is essential for the environmental movement to succeed, he says.

Singapore’s Resorts World Sentosa is reportedly halting wild dolphin sourcing and suspending its captive breeding program. With 20+ Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins involved, experts are now assessing the potential for rehabilitation and transfer to natural sea pens. By Robin Hicks for #Mongabay.

Since 2023, Indigenous Machiguenga women in the Peruvian Amazon are working to recover 11 varieties of magona potatoes and 17 types of yuca, a traditional cassava. By reclaiming these crops they are preserving their identity and ancient agricultural knowledge. Story by Astrid Arellano for #Mongabay

A land reform project in Brazil planted 10 million trees in the Atlantic Forest. With a jaguar sighted for the first time in 2024, this project proves that ecological corridors can restore biodiversity and bring wildlife back: 174 bird and 29 mammal species have been recorded in reforested areas.

A 75-year climate analysis reveals that hours of life-limiting heat have doubled for young adults since 1950. From Australia to Southwest Asia, global warming is no longer a future threat, it is a daily reality restricting human activity and health. Learn more in this report by Mike Gaworecki.

This is good news. The accompanying article also does a very good job pointing out how far we are from knowing what lives where, and how species are faring in the face of various anthropogenic threats. And this is not just an issue in the tropics.

[Founder's briefs] Are species extinct or just unseen? In Ecuador, researchers have rediscovered plants once thought lost to 1990s deforestation. While forest loss remains severe, this case proves that limited data can skew our understanding of biodiversity decline. By Rhett Ayers Butler.

The illegal wildlife trade has more than doubled since 2000, with Asia now the global hub. A new study shows these criminal networks are more resilient than ever, defying border restrictions to move wildlife across 110+ countries. Experts call for constant transnational enforcement to disrupt them.

Amid political instability, local communities in northern Myanmar are documenting the critically endangered white-bellied heron. As government and NGO support diminishes, community-led research is proving vital to protecting one of the world’s last strongholds for this rare bird. By Carolyn Cowan.

Exciting news for seabird and ocean conservation: governments have formally recognised marine flyways at #CMSCOP15! Read how marine flyways can benefit migratory seabirds in this @mongabay.com article by BirdLife's @tammyedavies.bsky.social and Aline Kühl-Stenzel ➡️ tinyurl.com/MongabayMarFly

Grasslands hold up to 35% of global carbon, yet 190 million hectares were converted for agriculture in the last 15 years. A new study shows that nonforest ecosystems are being lost to agriculture four times faster than forests. Learn more in this report by @shannahl.bsky.social for #Mongabay.

Is cloning the answer to save jaguars? Scientists say jaguar cloning could happen in just a few years. But is this science fiction or real hope? How does it work, and should we do it for species on the verge of extinction? Learn more in our 'Mongabay Explains' series! 🐆 mongabay.cc/jagclonMB

[Nonprofit news impact] After a @mongabay.com investigation exposed a loophole in regs on hunting of Maltese falcons & other #birds, authorities reacted Egypt’s Ministry of Environment banned hunting in two key regions, the New Valley & Lake Nasser, key areas for migratory & resident birds 🦅

A deadly avian virus detected in Brazil’s open-air markets is threatening the recovery of the Spix’s macaw. Experts warn that without rigorous monitoring and quarantine at rehab centers, this outbreak could devastate species being prepared to return. Story by @nandawenzel.bsky.social for #Mongabay

Thanks to @mongabay.com and Mike Gaworecki for covering our new paper — asking not just "is it too hot to survive?" but "is it too hot to live?" For a growing fraction of older adults around the globe, the answer is already yes. news.mongabay.com/2026/03/glob... @science.nature.org

Zambian authorities arrested 10 people and seized half-ton of ivory in a major strike against a cross-border criminal syndicate. This operation highlights how international intelligence-sharing is critical to disrupting trafficking networks and protecting Africa's elephants. By Charles Mpaka.

Warming temperatures in Nepal’s alpine rangelands are drying wetlands and reducing grazing areas. Both wild and domestic yaks face habitat shrinkage and altered water cycles, threatening the survival of these high-altitude species. Story by Sonam Lama Hyolmo for #Mongabay.

Frustration is mounting in Nepal’s buffer zones. Residents face wildlife attacks and strict resource limits, while local councils are seen as favoring park wardens over community needs. Activists are now calling for legal reforms to balance conservation with human welfare. By Mukesh Pokhrel.

With no records since 2017, sawfish are now feared "functionally extinct" in Sri Lankan waters. Overfishing and habitat loss have pushed this critically endangered species to the brink. Researchers are calling for urgent surveys to find and protect any surviving populations. By Malaka Rodrigo.

Activists warn a new U.S.-Indonesia trade deal could accelerate mining and deforestation. Labeled "extractive colonialism," the agreement lacks binding environmental safeguards, risking increased coal use and land conflicts in regions like Sulawesi. Story by Hans Nicholas Jong for #Mongabay.

Kenya has launched a new 19-goal strategy to reverse the steep decline of sharks and rays. By involving small-scale fishers in decision-making and offering alternative livelihoods, the plan aims to turn the tide for marine biodiversity through community-led action. By Anthony Langat for #Mongabay.

Four months after a copper and cobalt spill in the DRC, residents in Lubumbashi are still facing contaminated water and failing crops. While a $6M settlement was announced, human rights groups call it insufficient to cover the long-term health damage. By Ruth Kutemba and Elodie Toto for #Mongabay.

Innovation meets conservation! After losing nesting sites to fire and mining, the endangered palm cockatoos are using human-made hollows to breed. This successful fledging on the Cape York Peninsula proves that tailored habitat restoration can help save Australia’s rarest parrots. By Megan Strauss.

For the first time, researchers have documented sperm whales assisting in a birth—even when they aren't related to the mother. Sperm whales are known for "alloparenting," but this observation suggests their coordinated care begins at the very moment of birth. Story by Bobby Bascomb for #Mongabay.

[Founder's Briefs] Regulators are tightening rules on the world’s largest squid fishery. New measures include electronic monitoring to combat illegal fishing. However, with catch levels falling, the race to set science-based limits is becoming a matter of survival. By Rhett Ayers Butler.

Climate models may be underestimating the impact of deforestation on Amazon rainfall. New research indicates that since 1980, forest clearing has led to an 11% decline in precipitation, potentially allowing critical rainfall thresholds to be crossed much sooner than current climate models predict.👇️

Critically endangered hooded vultures are being driven to extinction in Benin. Recent research found 522 birds for sale across nine markets, fueled by belief-based demand. With populations down by up to 96%, experts are calling for urgent law enforcement to stop this illegal trade. Learn more 👇️

TotalEnergies faces a new legal challenge in South Africa. Local fishers and NGOs are in court to appeal a deep-water drilling authorization, citing a failure to consult communities and ignore climate impacts. This follows a major court victory against the oil giant in 2025. By Victoria Schneider.

Palm oil clearing has destroyed over 3,000 hectares (7,500 acres) of forest in a #UNESCO biosphere reserve in Indonesian Borneo. The loss of this critical wildlife corridor threatens orangutan habitat and risks increasing human-wildlife conflict. Story by Hans Nicholas Jong for #Mongabay.