The Helmeted Hornbill became a popular target for poachers as a replacement for ivory.

Traffickers are using Facebook to sell endangered bird skulls

Alternative Ivory

Over the past six months, hundreds of endangered species, especially the Helmeted Hornbill, have illegally gone up for sale on Facebook.

Traffickers Are Using Facebook to Sell Endangered Bird Skulls

Can the environment survive social media?

Researchers identify the two colors of light that could best keep birds away from planes.

Planes kill huge numbers of birds. LEDs could save their lives.

Hard Science

Preventing bird collisions with planes and other manmade objects could be as simply as adding red or blue LEDs to our creations.

Planes Kill Huge Numbers of Birds. LEDs Could Save Their Lives.

This simple solution could help our feathered friends survive the skies.

The algorithm can do menial tasks that would take humans thousands of work hours.

AI that counts and identifies wildlife could be a game-changer for ecologists

Earth & Energy

A deep-learning artificial intelligence algorithm is practically as good at classifying wildlife photos as people and may improve conservation projects.

AI That Counts And Identifies Wildlife Could Be A Game-changer For Ecologists

Letting an algorithm monitor motion-sensor cameras could change how we handle conservation.

It's far less invasive than traditional tracking methods.

New facial recognition software tracks and protects endangered primates

Artificial Intelligence

Researchers from MSU created PrimNet, a software program that uses facial recognition technology to identify endangered primates for conservation efforts.

New Facial Recognition Software Tracks and Protects Endangered Primates

Snap a pic, and this app can ID the individual animal.

New research shows that over a third of protected areas are at risk from human activity all the same.

As it turns out, environmentally 'protected' lands really aren't

Over a third of global protected lands are facing intense human activity, such as logging and development. To preserve them, we need stricter protections.

As It Turns Out, Environmentally ‘Protected’ Lands Really Aren’t

Over a third of global protected lands are facing "intensive human activity."

We protected a lot of animals. Now we should make room for them.

Animals that used to be threatened are expanding back into their old habitats

Future Society

Large predators have been spreading out lately. New research suggests they're returning to the areas they lived before people drove them off.

Predators That Used To Be Threatened Are Expanding Back Into Their Old Habitats

That's good news. But it doesn’t mean we should stop protecting them.

A recent study shows we've gotta work faster to protect the Great Barrier Reef.

To protect endangered coral reefs, researchers need legal recourse

Researchers who classify entire ecosystems as "endangered" should fight to get them the same legal backing granted to endangered species.

To Protect Endangered Coral Reefs, Researchers Need Legal Recourse

The Great Barrier Reef is dying way faster than researchers expected. That should make you scared — and hopping mad.

Animals that evolved traits explicitly for attracting a mate went extinct ten times faster.

Sexy species died off quicker. That has conservationists worried.

Conservationists may need to adjust their priorities because modern animals with gaudy male-female differences could be in similar danger.

Sexy Species Died Off Quicker. That Has Conservationists Worried.

A new study suggests that dramatic physical features might look cool, but less-sexy species survive.

It's a long shot, but it could save the species.

With IVF, the northern white rhino may not go extinct

Scientists think they might be able to use IVF, along with a surrogate from a similar subspecies, to save the northern white rhino from extinction.

With IVF, the Northern White Rhino May Not Go Extinct

There are three northern white rhinos left, and one is on his deathbed. 

We need to shift our focus to include all pollinator species.

Even if we save the honeybee, other wild pollinator species will still be in trouble

Efforts to save the domesticated honeybee are misguided and actually doing harm to wild pollinator species, according to Cambridge researchers.

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