Species
Featured Stories
The saola remains a mystery 20 years after its discovery.
Reducing Poaching to Save Tigers May 16, 2012Tigers are highly vulnerable to poaching. Learn about WWF's Zero Poaching initiative.
Reconnecting Shared Landscapes is Crucial for Wildlife and People to Thrive May 09, 2012Reconnecting shared landscapes is crucial for wildlife and people to thrive.
Getting an Even Better Picture of Buffalo April 23, 2012Satellite images provide WWF scientists a better picture of buffalo in the wild.
Experience the Arctic April 11, 2012Hear WWF's President & CEO talk about polar bears in the Arctic.
New Home for World’s Rarest Wild Cat April 11, 2012The Amur leopard has a haven in a newly established National Park in Russia’s Far East.
The Arctic - Colorful, Vibrant and Teeming with Life April 10, 2012Find out what’s it’s like to work in the Arctic.
Tracking Polar Bears in the Arctic March 29, 2012Meet Izzy, a female polar bear monitored through a satellite collar.
Young Researchers Make a Difference for Communities and Marine Conservation March 26, 2012Young researchers contribute to marine conservation.
Bringing Bison Back to the Northern Great Plains March 14, 201271 bison released to their ancestral home on the American Prairie Reserve.
WWF’s Sabita Malla on Helping Tigers in Nepal March 08, 2012WWF’s Sabita Malla shares inspiring moments from the field.
Cameroon Military Takes Action After Hundreds of Elephants Slaughtered March 06, 2012After hundreds of elephants are found slaughtered, efforts increase to secure a national park and its elephant population
Whale Encounter Illustrates Urgent Need to Keep Waters Healthy February 21, 2012A once-in-a-lifetime whale encounter illustrates urgent need to keep waters healthy.
The Heart of Borneo Beats Strong February 15, 2012Discover five achievements from the Heart of Borneo.
Camera Traps Reveal Robust Refuge for Himalayan Wildlife February 14, 2012Camera traps reveal a robust refuge for Himalayan wildlife.
Tiger and Toliet Paper Feature Story Box February 14, 2012Not all tissue and paper towels are made from responsible sources. Take action to help protect tiger habitats. Read more
Few in the Wild Kingdom Live Up to Our Romantic Ideals February 10, 2012When it comes to fidelity, birds beat out mammals.
The Story of Baim, a Rescued Baby Orangutan February 01, 2012Read the story about a baby orangutan rescued on the island of Borneo.
Rare Tiger Sighting Provides Inspiration for Conservation January 31, 2012WWF staff member describes his experience after seeing a tiger in broad daylight.
Meet Sidonie Asseme, Female Ranger in Cameroon January 25, 2012Meet Sidonie, a female ranger who works to fight poaching in Africa.
Monks Rally for Mekong Dolphins January 25, 2012Buddhist monks are an effective voice for the protection of endangered species, like the Mekong dolphin.
Forest Brigade Fights Wildlife Poaching January 18, 2012Because of international cooperation, an armed antipoaching brigade from three nations patrols forests to protect wildlife.
Elephants Under Increased Threat From Illegal Ivory Trade December 29, 2011Elephants are under increased threat from illegal ivory trade.
15 Success Stories of 2011 December 15, 2011Discover highlights from our work around the world to protect species and habitats.
More Than 200 New Species Discovered in Mekong December 12, 2011WWF documents the region’s amazing biodiversity and calls for action to protect its wildlife.
Remarkable Images of Big Cats Urge Forest Protection November 15, 2011Extraordinary snapshots of five of the seven wild cat species are a reminder of what could be lost to deforestation.
Saving the Rhinos November 04, 2011Relocation efforts help the species as it faces an increasing threat from poachers in South Africa
Discovering New Information about Narwhals with Satellite Tracking October 21, 2011WWF and partners are using satellite tracking devices to learn more about Arctic whales.
True Halloween Story: Fright-Night Creatures Not So Spooky After All October 20, 2011Ghost frogs, vampire bats, spindly spiders, and spooky owls are ingredients in every witch's favorite recipe.
A Second Chance for Black-Footed Ferrets September 26, 2011Once thought to be globally extinct, black-footed ferrets are making a comeback.
Collaborative Effort to Stop Rhino Poaching in South Africa September 22, 2011287 rhinos poached in South Africa this year. Now, more than ever, we need to curb demand for rhino horn and end poaching.
Stamp 2011 September 20, 2011The Save Vanishing Species stamp is a new stamp designed to raise money to help protect endangered wildlife and is available at all post offices in the U.S. Read more
Arctic Sea Ice Levels Plummet to Record Lows September 13, 2011Extreme melting has driven Arctic sea ice levels to record lows. Massive Illegal Ivory Seizures in Asia and Africa September 08, 2011
Massive seizures of illegal ivory have taken place in Asia and Africa.
New Monkey Species Discovered in the Amazon August 26, 2011Scientists have discovered a new species of monkey on an expedition into one of the least known areas of the Brazilian Amazon.
Baby Gorilla Poaching Attempt Thwarted August 09, 2011An infant mountain gorilla was rescued from poachers in Rwanda.
Positive Results for Tigers on Global Tiger Day July 29, 2011A time to celebrate conservation successes and raise awareness about the many threats tigers still face.
Tiger Killed in Nepal, Suspects Arrested June 03, 2011The first tiger in Nepal ever to be translocated and fitted with a specialized tracking collar was killed in Nepal in May 2011.
Tiger Semi-Postal Stamp May 11, 2011This exclusive effort will help protect tigers, rhinos, elephants, great apes and marine turtles! Learn more
Sumatran Tiger Cubs Caught on Camera in Threatened Forest May 09, 2011Camera traps recorded an astounding 12 tigers in just two months in the central Sumatran landscape.
Collective conservation efforts boost Nepal’s rhino population April 26, 2011A recent rhino census in Nepal revealed an increase in the population of greater one-horned rhinos. WWF Mourns Death of Virunga National Park Ranger April 12, 2011
WWF is saddened by the death of Magayane Bazirushaka, a Virunga National Park ranger in the Democratic Republic of Congo, who was killed when a foot patrol was ambushed on Friday, April 8. Counting rhinos in the shadow of the Himalayas April 07, 2011
Nepal began a national census to determine the status and distribution of the greater one-horned rhinoceros.
India’s wild tiger population increases March 28, 2011India announced that its wild tiger population has increased to 1,706 from 1,411 since the last tiger census in 2007.
Hope for Javan Rhinos February 28, 2011Rare footage of two Javan rhinos and two of their calves was captured on video recently.
Snakes on a plane (and turtles and spiders and…) February 22, 2011A man was detained at Thailand’s international airport as he tried to smuggle almost 200 live animals.
Climate Change Harming Polar Bear Cubs February 09, 2011Polar bear litters are decreasing in size due to sea ice decline resulting from climate change, according to a study published in Nature on February 8, 2011. If this trend continues as predicted, the polar bear population could be in serious jeopardy.
Wildlife enforcement in South Asia gets a boost February 08, 2011A new chapter in South Asian regional cooperation for strengthening wildlife law enforcement began with the formal launch of the South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network, which was announced at an inter-governmental meeting in Bhutan in January 2011.
WWF and Global Companies Take Action to Protect Tigers February 01, 2011As Year of the Tiger according to the Chinese lunar calendar comes to an end, it is more crucial than ever to take action to protect wild tigers.
A Future for Tigers January 25, 2011Asian tiger reserves can support more than 10,000 wild tigers—three times the current estimate—if they are managed as large-scale landscapes that protect core breeding sites and benefit local communities, according to the world’s leading conservation scientists in a new study published on January 25. This positive news reveals that doubling the number of tigers in the wild is feasible.
Translocating Nepal’s first wild tiger January 24, 2011Namobuddha became Nepal’s first wild tiger to be fitted with a GPS-enabled satellite collar and translocated from Chitwan National Park to Bardia National Park in Nepal on January 22. WWF supported the translocation with technical expertise and financial aid, working closely with the Government of Nepal and the National Trust for Nature Conservation. The satellite collar will help scientists gain a better understanding of tiger ecology and improve conservation efforts like anti-poaching operations.
On the Move December 29, 2010The female rhino and her calf were greeted with cheers and applause from the Indian Rhino Vision 2020 (IRV 2020) team of conservationists, local representatives, veterinarians and forest department officials as the two made an impatient entry into their new home at Manas National Park in India’s northeastern state of Assam on December 29.
How your choice of paper can help tigers December 23, 2010A new investigation by WWF and other groups reveals that one of the world’s largest paper suppliers is still cutting down the rainforest on the Indonesian island of Sumatra – even though the company claims to have stopped doing so. The forest being cleared is vital to the survival of tigers and other endangered species. You can voice your opposition to this by making more responsible choices about the paper you buy.
Polar Bear Habitat in Alaska Protected December 02, 2010A large segment of Alaska’s sea ice, islands, and coastline that is considered important to polar bears is now designated as critical habitat. As a result of the designation, federally regulated activities – such as oil and gas drilling – that may have an adverse affect on polar bears and others species will get an extra level of review by the government.
Myanmar border markets are deadly trade gateway for tigers November 19, 2010Rare and endangered Asian big cats are sold in black markets along Myanmar, Thailand and China’s shared borders, facilitating a deadly illicit trade in tigers and other endangered species says TRAFFIC and WWF’s joint report “The Big Cat Trade in Myanmar and Thailand.”
If we save the tigers, we'll save the planet November 15, 2010Tigers have long provoked awe in the human imagination, becoming symbols of untamed nature whose "fearful symmetry," in the words of William Blake, has inspired everything from art to advertising. In the wild, however, tigers are on the verge of disappearing.
More than 1,000 tigers reduced to skin and bones in last decade November 09, 2010Parts of at least 1,069 tigers have been seized in tiger range countries over the past decade, according to new analysis of tiger seizures carried out by TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network. Reduced to Skin and Bones shows that from January 2000 to April 2010, parts of between 1,069 and 1,220 tigers were seized in 11 of the 13 tiger range countries—or an average of 104 to 119 animals per year. Of the 11, India, China and Nepal ranked highest in the number of tiger part seizures, the report states, with India by far the highest number of tiger part seizures.
Veteran anti-poaching ranger awarded top WWF honors November 02, 2010Anatoly Belov, a long-time Russian anti-poaching ranger working on the frontlines of protecting tigers has been awarded the 2010 WWF Duke of Edinburgh Conservation Medal. The medal was first given in 1970 and is awarded annually by WWF for outstanding service to the environment.
Camera catches bulldozer destroying Sumatra tiger forest October 12, 2010A video camera trap installed by WWF and partners has captured footage linking the destruction of a crucial Sumatran tiger forest to the expansion of palm oil plantations in Indonesia’s Riau Province.
New Discoveries in the Greater Mekong Highlight the Need for Urgent Action October 06, 2010Rhino Day Trumpets Poaching Crisis September 23, 2010
Africa’s rhinos received a massive—and loud—show of support during Rhino Day on September 22. South Africans all around the country blew their vuvuzelas as a symbolic call for immediate action to stop rhino poaching through strengthened law enforcement and strict legal penalties.
Putting a Price on the Future of Tigers September 20, 2010The PloS Biology Journal, a respected scientific journal, published a paper last week entitled Bringing the Tiger Back from the Brink - the Six Percent Solution, which presents a powerful case for the need to refocus efforts on the protection of the last remaining strongholds for the tiger. The paper is based on a study led by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and focuses on how much it will cost to stop tigers from becoming extinct. WWF helped to provide data for the study and supports the paper’s conclusion that there is a need to rebalance conservation efforts.
World’s Rivers and Dolphins at Risk September 08, 2010Dwindling freshwater dolphin numbers are raising concerns about the declining health of some of the world’s most important rivers, shows a new study by WWF. According to the report, the main culprit is the increasing pressure that unchecked human demands for food, energy and other goods is placing on freshwater ecosystems.
Critically Endangered Whales Flee Russian Oil and Gas Boom September 07, 2010Russian oil and gas company, Rosneft, is conducting oil and gas exploration work that may have caused the critically endangered western gray whale to flee its main feeding ground. Tests and offshore installment of equipment by Rosneft for a major seismic survey began in late August, despite repeated calls from 12 governments, NGOs, scientists and the public requesting to postpone the survey because of potential risks to the whales. Seismic surveys are done by blasting the water with acoustic noise to detect oil and gas deposits under the ocean floor.
African rhino poaching crisis September 01, 2010A Reason to Celebrate August 30, 2010
This year the major highlight of the Amur Tiger Cultural Festival in the northeastern Chinese city of Hunchun was not the colourful costume parade, art performances or even the ecological tour of a tiger habitat.
Live tiger found in luggage August 27, 2010A two-month-old tiger cub was found sedated and hidden among stuffed-tiger toys in the luggage of a woman at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport on Sunday.
One fan at a time August 26, 2010Almost 60,000 new trees are going to reforest critical tiger habitat on the Indonesian island of Sumatra as a result of global connection made on Forest Friends, an initiative that brings together young adults from Indonesia and Germany.
Police Detained Members of Illegal Tiger Trading Syndicate in Riau, Sumatra July 20, 2010On July 17, 2010, police detained two people involved in the Sumatran tiger illegal trading syndicate in Pekanbaru, Riau Province of Sumatra. Yoga Rusdiansyah, 26, and Hidayat Saldi, 45, are under investigation. Yoga was caught with six decapitated tiger heads, five tiger pelts and seven kilograms of tiger bones. The tiger body parts were set to be exported to Malaysia. Based on Yoga’s testimony, he has conducted illegal activities for three years with up to five packages sent in one month. Hidayat’s status is still under further investigation.
Bali Tiger Pre-Summit meeting comes to an end but looks to September July 15, 2010Vietnam’s Environmental Police dig their claws into illegal big cat trade July 01, 2010
Vietnam’s Environmental Police have confiscated two frozen tigers and a frozen leopard in the central province of Nghe An.
Centenarian supporter of WWF attests to disappearance of wildlife June 21, 2010David Ankoh has what it takes to have his name entered into the Guinness Book of Records. He is 109 years old living in the sub Saharan country of Cameroon where life expectancy for men is about 50, is a father of 88 children, lives in a village at the periphery of the Boumba-Bek National Park and is not only a witness to a disappearing abundance of wildlife, but is also a strong supporter of WWF work in the area.
"Mid-air ballet" takes top prize June 07, 2010What does WWF wildlife biologist Christy Williams do when he’s not monitoring wildlife or leading WWF’s Asian Rhino and Elephant conservation program? He watches wildlife of course, and, fortunately for the rest of us, he also photographs what he sees.
This combination of passion and profession recently produced a series of stunning photographs which resulted in Christy being named Sanctuary magazine’s RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland) 2009 Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
Breakthrough June 01, 2010Significant findings have come to light in the ongoing investigation into the suspected poaching of a Javan rhino in Vietnam’s Cat Tien National Park, perhaps the last of its kind.
The First Family May 24, 2010A few years ago, India’s Panna Tiger Reserve made global headlines when all of its tigers were lost to poachers. Now Panna is once again in the news, this time for three very good reasons. This spring, a trio of cubs were photographed with their mother, marking the very first time in recent conservation history that a translocated tiger has given birth in the wild.
Dogs Join the Fight to Save Wild Tigers May 10, 2010Thanks to their keen sense of smell, dogs are put to work sniffing out bombs, drugs, earthquake survivors and lost children. Now, WWF is using them to help sniff out tigers. Or tiger dung, to be precise.
Swedish hunters help save Amur tigers May 03, 2010The Swedish Association for Hunting and Wildlife Management is helping Russian tiger conservation efforts thousands of miles away by sharing its secrets to raising prey animals like deer and wild boar.
Poachers Nabbed with Three Amur Tigers April 26, 2010This month, suspected members of a Chinese poaching gang were captured by Russian border patrol after sneaking into a tiger sanctuary near Kymen-Rybolov, a Russian village near the Chinese border.
Borneo’s New World April 22, 2010Scientists have discovered more than 123 new species in the Heart of Borneo area during the past 3 years – an average of more than 3 new species per month. These finds include the world’s longest known stick insect, a flame-colored snake and a color-changing frog. In total, 67 plants, 29 invertebrates, 17 fish, five frogs, three snakes and two lizards and a brand new species of bird have been discovered.
Hope for the Future: Rare Photo of Pregnant Sumatran Rhino April 21, 2010Images of the near-extinct Sumatran rhino were recently captured by WWF-Malaysia and the Sabah Wildlife Department’s camera traps. Experts believe that this rhino is pregnant, giving hope for the species and adding urgency to the enforcement of anti-poaching laws in the region’s forest and wildlife reserves.
Update: Fishing countries must respect Doha message on tuna, says WWF March 25, 2010At the close of the world’s largest wildlife trade convention meeting, global conservation organization WWF welcomed the statement today by the regional fisheries management organization in charge of the Atlantic bluefin tuna fishery – the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, ICCAT – that its members should agree and implement a scientifically sound recovery plan for the species when they meet in November in Paris, France.
CITES can help save bluefin tuna, stem wildlife poaching crisis March 11, 2010Governments meeting March 13 for the largest wildlife trade convention will have a unique opportunity to help preserve the world’s oceans and simultaneously stem a worldwide poaching crisis.
Tiger Range Countries and partners make new conservation commitments in Thailand January 29, 2010Governments from across Asia’s tiger range countries (TRCs) sent a powerful message that new efforts to save wild tigers from extinction would begin immediately and called for total protection of critical tiger habitats as the 1st Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation concluded today at the resort of Hua Hin, Thailand.
New Study shows Bengal Tiger’s Habitat in Danger January 19, 2010A new study by WWF scientists and partner organizations has found global climate change could shrink Bangladesh’s Sundarbans tiger habitat by 96 percent, potentially reducing the tiger population to fewer than 20 breeding individuals. An estimated sea level rise of 11.2 inches above 2000 levels by 2070 means this unique mangrove ecosystem could disappear within half a century.
Camera traps yield rare footage of Sumatran tiger with cubs January 06, 2010Video cameras installed in the Sumatran jungle have captured close-up footage of a tiger and two cubs, the first time that WWF has recorded evidence of tiger breeding in central Sumatra in what should be prime tiger habitat. The images have led to renewed calls for stronger measures against poaching and the rapid deforestation of tiger landscapes on the Indonesian island.
Rhino poaching surge in Africa, Asia December 02, 2009Rhino poaching worldwide is on the rise, according to a new report by TRAFFIC and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Nepal expands critical tiger habitat November 04, 2009Kathmandu, Nepal- The Government of Nepal announced today an expansion of Bardia National Park in the Terai Arc Landscape by 900 sq km, which will increase critical habitat for tigers.
MoU signed for restoration of Orangutan Habitat in Heart of Borneo (HoB) November 04, 2009Asia's Biggest 'tiger' Unveils Promise For Wild Tigers November 04, 2009
China received praise here today from the International Tiger Coalition (ITC) for promising to work with its neighbors to end tiger trade and bring back wild tigers.
A Time for Tigers October 26, 2009Tiger experts, government officials, scientists and conservationists are gathering in Kathmandu, Nepal this week to start a new global dialogue on how to save wild tigers as the world prepares to celebrate the Year of the Tiger in 2010. The Kathmandu Global Tiger Workshop is the first in a series of high profile political negotiations culminating in a Tiger Summit in 2010.
Tiger Rescue Points to Urgent Need for More Patrols October 05, 2009A five-year-old male Tiger was freed from a poacher’s snare on Sunday after it was found by WWF’s Wildlife Protection Unit (WPU) just off a highway that cuts through the Belum-Temengor forest complex in the northern state of Perak.
Protecting Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises August 06, 2009Seven out of the 13 great whale species are still endangered or vulnerable, even after decades of protection. Whales, dolphins and porpoises are succumbing to new and ever-increasing dangers.
Disappearing dolphins clamor for attention at whale summit June 24, 2009Small whales are disappearing from the world’s oceans and waterways as they fall victim to fishing gear, pollution, and habitat loss – compounded by a lack of conservation measures such as those developed for great whales.
A new WWF report: Small cetaceans: The Forgotten Whales (link), states that inadequate conservation measures are pushing small cetaceans – such as dolphins, porpoises and small whales – toward extinction as their survival is overshadowed by efforts to save their larger cousins.
Controversial Paper Company Driving Sumatran Species to Local Extinction May 18, 2009
A massive logging operation planned by one of the world’s largest paper companies would destroy the forest home of 100 great apes that are part of the only successful reintroduction program for Sumatran orangutans.
Mountain Gorillas Reported Safe in Virunga National Park December 23, 2008For the first time in more than a year, mountain gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) Virunga National Park have been seen by park rangers, and are reported to be doing well.
Elephant and ivory trade in Myanmar December 10, 2008U.S. GovernmentUpdate: WWF Joins Suit Opposing Lease Sale 193 in the Chukchi Sea May 14, 2008
Climate change is destroying vital polar bear habitat, putting the species at risk of extinction, the U.S. government said today as it listed the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the world’s largest conservation organization, said the government’s decision clearly indicates that climate change impacts are already threatening the survivability of animals and habitats, and illustrates the urgency of preparing for and adapting to a rapidly changing climate.
WWF Joins Suit Opposing Lease Sale 193 in the Chukchi Sea May 14, 2008WWF has joined with a coalition of Alaska Native and conservation groups who filed suit in federal district court in Alaska on January 31, arguing that in making its decision to hold the lease sale, Minerals Management Service (MMS) – an agency within the DOI – did not adequately weigh the impacts oil and gas activities would have on wildlife like polar bears, or on native villages along Alaska’s North Slope.
Cross border haul of Illegal bear and tiger parts seized in Russian Far East August 28, 2007Customs and the Frontier Service in the Primorskii province in the Russian Far East have seized a massive cache of illegal wildlife products bound for China.
