Stories by John R. Platt

Dozens of frogs, fish, orchids and other species—many unseen for decades—may no longer exist because of humanity’s destructive effects on the planet

New research indicates a growing online trade in porcupine bezoars—a ball of inedible material that sometimes gathers in their digestive tracts

Feral cats and pigs and black rats are putting many species on the fast track toward extinction

Mistakenly presumed extinct for 22 years, the rare tree Wendlandia angustifolia now has an opportunity for priority preservation

The discovery of a lost plant species highlights the need to protect other endangered species in one of the most biodiverse regions in the U.S.

The once common native guava has nearly vanished—killed off by an invasive fungus that arrived just 10 years ago. Other plant species may soon follow

New research reveals clear guidance for reducing human-wildlife conflict and restoring wolf populations

Livestock owners needlessly fear these massive South American birds—and lure them to their deaths with illegal poisons. That puts the entire species at risk

And they’re not the only ones in trouble—orchid species around the world face increasing threats from illegal trade and habitat destruction

When a species is critically endangered, every individual matters

The snaring crisis in Southeast Asia appears to have claimed the lives of the country’s last wild tigers

“Recalcitrant” seeds hold the secret to saving a critically endangered Indian tree—thanks to a bit of human help

Scientists have once again developed a method to fabricate horns in the lab, supposedly to disrupt poachers and wildlife traffickers. Here’s why that won’t work

In response to pressures from the international community, Mexico has agreed to take more steps to prevent the porpoises’ extinction—but with fewer than 20 remaining, will that be enough?

But here’s the good news: new research finds it was actually six different species, and five still exist—for now

Well, more specifically their footprints. New research finds that elephants create foot-shaped habitats for breeding frogs as they travel through the forest in Myanmar

Just like climate deniers, they’re out to obfuscate and debase the scientists and conservationists trying to save the world—and maybe get rid of a few pesky species in the process

The extinction crisis threatens life all over the planet, but scientists are cautious about declaring a species extinct too quickly

The Victorian grasslands earless dragon hasn’t been observed for 50 years, but conservationists haven’t given up hope yet

A new UN report finds that at least 1 million species are at risk of extinction. Will this finally be enough to motivate worldwide action?

The Bramble Cay melomys, a tiny island rodent, was wiped out by sea-level rise, according to the government of Australia.

New genetic tests may reveal the secret to saving the critically endangered Siamese crocodile from extinction

The gigantic Ozark hellbender salamander is in trouble in the wild, but one zoo—and a hard-working team—is helping to boost its populations

Carcharhinus obsolerus (that’s Latin for “extinct”) swam in the waters of the western Pacific, but it hasn’t been seen in 80-plus years