https://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/endangered-species/RSS feed for Endangered SpeciesenFri, 29 May 2026 21:00:41 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/four-rare-guam-kingfisher-chicks-hatch-at-virginia-facility-making-an-incredibly-valuable-addition-to-the-small-population-of-extinct-in-the-wild-birds-180988863/The species, also known as the sihek, was wiped out from its native Guam and kept alive in captivity. Conservationists released some birds on Palmyra Atoll in 2024, and they have been thriving so farFri, 29 May 2026 21:00:41 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/four-rare-guam-kingfisher-chicks-hatch-at-virginia-facility-making-an-incredibly-valuable-addition-to-the-small-population-of-extinct-in-the-wild-birds-180988863/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/youre-guaranteed-to-spot-at-least-one-gorgeous-giraffe-in-each-of-these-15-stunningly-awe-inspiring-images-180988838/With their singular coats, naturally craning collars and elegant gait, these skyscraping mammals can’t help but attract sightseers to their neck of the woodsFri, 29 May 2026 11:59:42 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/youre-guaranteed-to-spot-at-least-one-gorgeous-giraffe-in-each-of-these-15-stunningly-awe-inspiring-images-180988838/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mediterranean-monk-seals-hide-in-underwater-bubble-caves-to-avoid-tourists-during-the-busy-summer-season-a-study-suggests-180988775/Researchers caught the rare pinnipeds resting and sleeping in a secluded chamber on the Greek islet of Formicula. The findings suggest that these small caves should be included in efforts to protect the animals' habitatThu, 21 May 2026 14:40:02 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mediterranean-monk-seals-hide-in-underwater-bubble-caves-to-avoid-tourists-during-the-busy-summer-season-a-study-suggests-180988775/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/gentoo-penguins-may-actually-be-four-different-species-scientists-say-revealing-theyre-not-quite-winners-of-climate-change-after-all-180988769/A new study indicates that the adaptable birds evolved into distinct lineages as isolated populations shifted to match their environmental conditions over time. The work has implications for how conservationists assess threats to gentoosWed, 20 May 2026 19:09:30 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/gentoo-penguins-may-actually-be-four-different-species-scientists-say-revealing-theyre-not-quite-winners-of-climate-change-after-all-180988769/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/dimpled-koala-fossil-found-western-australia-revealed-why-previously-unknown-species-died-out-180988719/The new study found that they lost their arboreal habitat due to a drying climate, a dire warning for the modern-day marsupials that face a similar threatMon, 18 May 2026 18:17:09 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/dimpled-koala-fossil-found-western-australia-revealed-why-previously-unknown-species-died-out-180988719/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/new-rare-dove-hatchlings-are-a-source-of-hope-for-the-extinct-in-the-wild-birds-and-a-step-forward-in-the-ambitious-project-to-save-them-180988730/The Socorro dove has not been recorded in the wild since 1972, but that could change within only a few years, conservationists say, thanks to a long-term reintroduction effortFri, 15 May 2026 15:07:38 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/new-rare-dove-hatchlings-are-a-source-of-hope-for-the-extinct-in-the-wild-birds-and-a-step-forward-in-the-ambitious-project-to-save-them-180988730/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/butterflies-are-in-dramatic-decline-across-north-america-a-close-look-at-the-western-monarch-shows-why-180988582/Pesticides, habitat loss and climate change have taken their toll on the beloved insects. But the experts working with them still find hope for their futureFri, 24 Apr 2026 15:42:27 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/butterflies-are-in-dramatic-decline-across-north-america-a-close-look-at-the-western-monarch-shows-why-180988582/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/camera-traps-reveal-iberian-lynxes-soaking-their-prey-a-first-ever-discovery-among-carnivores-180988591/Scientists speculate that the wild cats are trying to improve hydration or ease their cubs’ transition to solid food. The finding points to resilience in one of the world’s most endangered felinesThu, 23 Apr 2026 13:00:38 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/camera-traps-reveal-iberian-lynxes-soaking-their-prey-a-first-ever-discovery-among-carnivores-180988591/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-bountiful-berry-harvest-put-these-chunky-endangered-parrots-in-the-mood-now-scientists-are-celebrating-a-breeding-bonanza-180988510/New Zealand's kakapo have laid 256 eggs, and around 100 of them have hatched, providing a bright spot in a decades-long conservation effort. The official chick count won't be confirmed until the youngest birds are about 5 months oldFri, 17 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-bountiful-berry-harvest-put-these-chunky-endangered-parrots-in-the-mood-now-scientists-are-celebrating-a-breeding-bonanza-180988510/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/see-the-most-adorable-photos-of-baby-elephant-linh-mai-the-national-zoos-newest-star-180988532/Since her birth in early February, the calf has been growing and beginning to bond with her care team and herd. She will go on view in-person and online starting April 22Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:12:31 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/see-the-most-adorable-photos-of-baby-elephant-linh-mai-the-national-zoos-newest-star-180988532/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/as-their-antarctic-habitat-melts-away-emperor-penguins-are-now-considered-an-endangered-species-180988520/The International Union for Conservation of Nature predicts that the birds' population could be cut in half by the 2080s. The organization also changed the statuses of Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant sealsThu, 09 Apr 2026 20:35:14 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/as-their-antarctic-habitat-melts-away-emperor-penguins-are-now-considered-an-endangered-species-180988520/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/a-photographers-glimpse-into-the-dwindling-world-of-the-cascade-red-fox-180988516/Gretchen Kay Stuart has chronicled the work of a small team of biologists who are trying to keep a little known and breathtakingly beautiful endangered species from disappearingThu, 09 Apr 2026 10:15:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/a-photographers-glimpse-into-the-dwindling-world-of-the-cascade-red-fox-180988516/