Conservation
The Ambitious Plan to Stop Mice From Eating Seabirds
Conservationists want to clear Marion Island of the pests, which are wreaking havoc on albatross and other nesting species
Strong Snowstorms Prevented Tens of Thousands of Antarctic Seabirds From Breeding
With their nesting sites buried under a blanket of snow, some petrels and skuas made no attempts at reproducing in December 2021 and January 2022
One of Europe's Last Free-Flowing Rivers Declared a National Park
Albania will protect more than 31,000 acres of land, including the undammed Vjosa River
National Audubon Society Votes to Keep the Name of an Enslaver
The move has been criticized by some local chapters that have severed ties with naturalist and slaveholder John James Audubon
America's Waterways: The Past, Present and Future
America's Waterways: The Past, Present and Future
In a series of articles, <em>Smithsonian</em> magazine highlights all that draws our eyes to our nation's fresh and coastal waters
World's Oldest European Hedgehog Found by Citizen Scientists
The species faces several threats, but the 16-year-old mammal is “really good news for conservation”
Mexico Bans Great White Shark-Related Tourism on Guadalupe Island
The government cited bad practices in the industry as a reason for the ban, which has sparked concerns for the local economy
Why Buying ‘Bird Friendly Cocoa’ Is a Sweet Deal
The Smithsonian launches a new certification for chocolate lovers looking to help their feathery friends
A Mine That Threatened Alaskan Salmon May Be No More
A rare “veto” from the EPA effectively halted the proposed Pebble Mine after two decades of disputes
This Company Wants to Bring the Dodo Back From Extinction
Colossal Biosciences plans to de-extinct the dodo, but some scientists question whether it’s ethical—or even plausible
U.S. Restores Protections for Alaska’s Tongass National Forest
A new federal rule restricts road construction and logging in the country’s largest national forest
This Black Bear Took Hundreds of ‘Selfies’ on a Wildlife Camera
Of the 580 images captured by the camera in November, about 400 were of the bear
Puget Sound's Parasites Are Disappearing—but Don’t Be Glad to Say Goodbye
The decline, which was correlated with warming waters in a new study, is bad news for ecosystems
Is It Ethical to Hunt Captive Lions?
In South Africa, the big cats are raised to be killed by hunters. Opponents are outraged, but advocates point to conservation benefits
Can Scientists Save the World’s Tiniest Rabbit?
In Washington State, the race is on to save a diminutive bunny as wildfires threaten its already shrinking habitat
Mumbai Is Embracing the 100,000 Flamingos That Winter on Its Coast
The birds and their habitat are threatened by development, but efforts to protect them are gaining traction
Steven Spielberg Regrets How 'Jaws' Impacted Real-World Sharks
The movie contributed to a rise in shark trophy hunting
Why Los Angeles Fell in Love With the Mountain Lion Known as P-22
A local celebrity, the feline that was the face of several conservation campaigns died this weekend
These Artificial Nests Are Helping African Penguins Beat the Heat
Ceramic nests deployed on penguin colonies in South Africa could shield the endangered seabirds from rising temperatures
Smithsonian Scholars Pick Their Favorite Books of 2022
This wide-ranging list offers context for our rapidly changing world
