A beloved Masai giraffe named Kiko, born at Greenville Zoo and later moved to the Toronto Zoo, died after an accident while exploring a behind-the-scenes area. The zoo is investigating the incident, and Kiko had contributed to conservation efforts through a breeding program. The species is listed as endangered due to significant population decline.
A woman named Donna Moonah, 49, went missing in Philadelphia on Christmas Eve, prompting an urgent search and a $5,000 reward for her safe return, with police considering her endangered.
A koala named Peri was rescued from a light pole in Brisbane by a bus driver, taken on a bus ride, and safely released into the wild, highlighting ongoing threats to koalas and the importance of wildlife rescue efforts.
A world-first single-dose vaccine has been approved in Australia to protect endangered koalas from chlamydia, a disease causing significant mortality and infertility, with the vaccine shown to reduce symptoms and death rates by at least 65%. Despite this advancement, conservationists emphasize habitat preservation as crucial, as habitat loss remains the primary threat to koalas' survival. The vaccine's development was supported by government funding, aiming to help combat the disease amid ongoing threats to koala populations.
The world's smallest snake, the Barbados threadsnake, was rediscovered after 20 years in Barbados during an ecological survey, highlighting concerns over habitat loss and the need for conservation efforts to protect this rare species and other local wildlife.
The world's smallest-known snake, the Barbados threadsnake, was rediscovered after nearly 20 years in Barbados, highlighting its rarity and the importance of habitat conservation.
The kākāpō is a large, flightless, nocturnal parrot native to New Zealand, known for its rotund shape, long lifespan of up to 90 years, and unique mating behavior called lekking. Once critically endangered due to human activity and introduced predators, conservation efforts have increased their numbers to around 242 in the wild, with all invasive predators eradicated from their current habitats.
Thousands of people are flocking to the Geelong Botanic Garden in Australia to witness the rare blooming of the "corpse flower," known for its foul odor resembling rotting flesh. The Amorphophallus Titanum blooms unpredictably, sometimes only once every decade, and its current bloom is drawing significant attention both in person and via livestream. Native to Indonesia and listed as endangered, the plant's conservation is crucial due to habitat loss. The event highlights the role of botanic gardens in preserving rare species.
Two Bay Area boys, Daniel Wu and David Wu, who were considered "endangered missing," have been found safe after disappearing from Mountain View. They were believed to have been taken by Taylor Wu, and may have been traveling in a blue 2018 Ford Escape with a Missouri license plate. Mountain View police had asked the public to be on the lookout for the missing boys, and anyone with information was urged to call 911.
An endangered North Atlantic right whale, one of less than 360 remaining, was found dead off Virginia after suffering blunt force trauma from a ship strike, marking the fourth documented right whale death of 2024. The whale, a mother who gave birth to her sixth calf this season, had catastrophic injuries consistent with a vessel strike. Environmental groups have called for tighter regulations on commercial fishing and shipping to protect the vulnerable species, as human impacts continue to threaten their survival.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation issued an endangered missing alert for a woman and her two children last seen leaving a Target in Edgewater, but they were later safely located in Castle Rock. No further information has been released.
A new species of bat, named Myptis nustrale, has been discovered on the French island of Corsica. The medium-sized bat, measuring about an inch and a half long, is grayish in color with long ears and a hairy face. It is distinguished by a dark spot on its lower lip. The bats were found to hunt in dense evergreen forests and roost in cliffs and rocky outcroppings. With a restricted distribution and small population size, the species is considered endangered and vulnerable to climate change. DNA analysis revealed that the bats belong to a previously unknown species in the genus Myptis.
Authorities in Goodhue County are searching for Brad Nagel, a missing man who is considered endangered. Nagel, an avid outdoorsman, last had contact with his family on Wednesday night. He could be anywhere in Minnesota or beyond. Nagel is driving a black 2005 Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck with the license plate DLB549. If you have any information on his whereabouts, please contact the Goodhue County Sheriff's Office.
Twenty women, including Cristina Nuñez and Kristen Anaya, have joined a lawsuit against Texas, arguing that the state's abortion laws endangered their lives and delayed their care. The plaintiffs claim that the exception for when a patient's life is in danger is too narrow and vague, putting them at risk during complicated pregnancies. The case, originally filed in March, now has a total of 20 patients suing Texas. The state has appealed a district court judge's ruling that the law needed to change, allowing Texas' three overlapping abortion bans to remain in effect. The Texas Supreme Court is set to consider a request for a temporary injunction that would expand the circumstances in which abortions are allowed.
The Genesee County Sheriff's Office is seeking assistance in locating Kelly McWhirter, 60, and her husband, Steven Higgins, who have been missing for several days and are believed to be endangered. The sheriff's office is asking for help in identifying a gray 2009 Ford F-150 with a license plate of 8PBJ46, which is potentially related to the case. Anyone with information is urged to call 911.