At roughly 5.5 million, a colony of ground-nesting bees that scientists discovered under a New York cemetery may be one of the largest bee aggregations ever documented. Subsequent research showed that the bees have likely lived there for more than 100 years, thriving in the cemetery’s undisturbed sandy soil—an incredible discovery. Rachel Fordyce used to […]
“As it lurks behind the trapdoor, a twitch on the trip wire alerts it that something tasty has just walked past…”
The global family of trap-door spiders, relatives of tarantulas, are also fond of burrowing. They have a special row of teeth that are adapted to help them dig holes to make a home even in very dry soil and sturdy legs to assist with the excavation. They construct a tunnel, around 15cm (6in) in length, which […]
Petition: Green Sea Turtles Prove Conservation Works. Tell Congress to Strengthen the Endangered Species Act
After decades of conservation efforts, green sea turtles are finally making a comeback. The species was recently reclassified from “endangered” to “least concern” after global populations increased. This is thanks to protections for nesting sites, reduced harvesting, habitat conservation, and safer fishing practices. This is proof that conservation works. Now, conservationists are warning that this […]
VOTE for the Best Photo of the Month May 2026
Welcome to the “Best Photo of the Month” competition showcasing and celebrating the biodiversity of Planet Earth. Voting is easy and lots of fun. By popular request the number of images to be selected has been increased to six. First click an image and the slideshow will start automatically. Select the SIX images you like best […]
A hippo is dying of thirst in Botswana. But a pride of lions guards the water hole
In Botswana’s Okavango delta, deep floodwater can dry to dust in months. Thirsty animals seek out water holes for a much-needed drink – but this brings them into dangerous proximity with others. And in one episode of the BBC TV series Natural World, the film crew follow a group of hippos as they deal with the […]
Trump called trophy hunting a “horror show,” but permitted 300-plus elephant trophy imports in 2025
The U.S. issued more than 300 elephant trophy import permits during the first year of President Donald Trump’s second term, according to records obtained by U.S.-based NGO the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD). It’s the most ever issued on Trump’s watch in a year, and indicates that as many as 300 elephants were killed. Trophies are usually […]
9 beautiful, breathtaking photos of sea turtles that prove just how majestic (and fearless) these marine creatures can be
From the northern coast of Australia to the south coast of England, sea turtles are found across the globe. They play a key role in marine ecosystems, helping maintain the health of seagrass beds and coral reefs. But of the seven types of sea turtle, three are now classified as endangered and two as critically endangered, largely as a […]
Petition: Climate Change Pushed Emperor Penguins onto the Endangered Species List
For most of us, when we think of emperor penguins, we think of cute black-and-white birds on ice, waddling, sliding, and cuddling close to one another. They’re the largest species of penguins on Earth, living only in Antarctica. That means they’re reliant on the cold weather that the southern pole provides. Which also explains why […]