Wildlife Conservation Stories

  • Two snow leopards successfully collared in Nepal

    June 15, 2021

    Scientists successfully collared two snow leopards in Western Nepal—a feat that will help researchers learn more about this elusive and vulnerable species. The satellite GPS collaring of these big cats brings Nepal’s tally of collared snow leopards to eight.

    A snow leopard looks to the right wearing a satellite collar and sitting on a rocky slope
  • Why we need connected landscapes to save ungulate migrations

    An international team is working to create a much-needed global ungulate migration atlas to help guide conservation efforts. Ungulates provide most of the prey for the world’s large carnivore and scavenger populations, as well as food and livelihood opportunities for local and Indigenous communities. Their seasonal migrations are necessary for healthy ecosystems and sustaining the animals and people that depend on them.

    A zebra standing in tall grass turns its head around to look at the camera as teh sun sets
  • “One Health” and COVID-19, one year later

    May 24, 2021

    More than a year after the emergence of COVID-19, WWF worked with GlobeScan to conduct a survey of over 6,500 respondents in the United States, China, Vietnam, Thailand, and Myanmar to build on the learnings from the original 2020 survey and gain a better understanding of consumer insight and perceptions of zoonotic spillover risk.

    A black toucan and small tan monkey tied to a cage by their legs at a market
  • More than 70% of snow leopard habitat remains unexplored

    May 17, 2021

    Snow leopards live in some of the most rugged landscapes in Asia’s high mountains, which makes it incredibly difficult to study these rare and elusive big cats. A large majority of snow leopard habitat remains under-researched, according to the first-ever systematic review of snow leopard research conducted to date.

    A snow leopard lying down in the snow looks directly at the camera
  • How solar power is helping a community and jaguars

    May 06, 2021

    A solar powered fence reduces jaguar attacks and brings electricity to a ranch for the very first time.

    jaguar in Mexican forest as captured by camera trap
  • Hopeful beginnings: First bison calves born on Wolakota Buffalo Range

    April 27, 2021

    As fresh snow redecorated the tranquil plains of the Wolakota Buffalo Range, new and precious life entered the world. Two bison calves took their first breaths amid the falling flakes—the first to be born on this ground in at least 140 years.

    A bison cow and her calf stand in a snowy field
  • A warning sign: where biodiversity loss is happening around the world

    WWF Magazine: Summer 2021
    The Living Planet Index showed that different regions of the world have been experiencing biodiversity loss at different rates.
    Tree frog
  • Patrol ranger Qiu Shi on protecting China’s tigers

    WWF Magazine: Summer 2021
    In a male-dominated profession, Qiu Shi is a member of the only all-female patrol team working to monitor and protect tigers and their habitats in Northeast China.
    Forest rangers in the field
  • Rhino populations are recovering in Namibia thanks to community-led interventions

    WWF Magazine: Summer 2021
    Black rhino populations are recovering in Namibia thanks to community-led interventions.
    Rhino surrounded by vegetation
  • Nepal’s rhino population increases by 16%—a sign of hope for the species

    April 15, 2021

    Nepal’s rhino population has increased by 16%, according to the results of the National Rhino Count 2021—a promising sign for the greater one-horned rhino population in the country.

    A greater one-horned rhino chews leaves in a verdant area of Nepal
  • Sprinkler system gives hope to flying foxes in Australia

    April 13, 2021

    With climate change driving more extreme heat events in Australia, species across the country are at heightened risk. Flying foxes, in particular, can suffer fatal heat stress when temperatures climb to over 108 degrees, an occurrence growing more and more common across the country. But a successful trial of a system of atmospheric cooling sprinklers has given hope to researchers working to protect this vulnerable species.

    Grey headed flying fox takes flight from a large leafy tree
  • Carnivore collaring in Zambia helps protect wildlife and communities

    April 07, 2021

    In an effort to better understand large carnivores like lions and wild dogs, scientists in Zambia use radio collars to track their movements, distribution, and behavior. The more we know about these umbrella species, the better we can protect them and mitigate human-wildlife conflict with the communities they share land with.

    Portrait of a large male lion standing in tall tan grass
  • What does the world gain when we protect tigers?

    April 01, 2021

    Tigers and the habitat they live in provide untold benefits to people, other wildlife, and the climate. Tom Gray, who is the Tiger Scientist at WWF's Tigers Alive Initiative, explains what's at risk if we were to lose tigers.

    Tiger walking in tall grass in a beautiful golden light
  • Eye to eye: An up-close encounter with gray whales in Mexico's Baja Peninsula

    March 30, 2021

    Every late winter and early spring, gray whales navigate to the protected bays of the Baja Peninsula, to mate or give birth to their young. Getting up close to these amazing animals is an unforgettable experience.

    A close-up of a gray whale underwater but near the surface
  • Exciting new survey shows stable snow leopard population in Mongolia

    March 17, 2021

    Mongolia’s first-ever national snow leopard survey shows that the country’s population of this elusive, big cat is stable. The survey confirmed the presence of approximately 953 snow leopards—an exciting discovery because it indicates that current conservation efforts are effective and will help develop future strategies to protect this charismatic big cat.

    A snow leopard stalks along a mountain pass in Mongolia
  • Meet the women in tech blazing a trail for conservation

    March 08, 2021

    Women leaders have established themselves as a formidable force in sustainability positions within tech. Though a relatively new discipline, this trend is helping to modernize environmental sustainability and conservation efforts as we know them—and will undoubtedly see its impact grow in the next decade.

    Florence Adewale stands in front of a group of elephants gathered under a roof
  • 5 forest-dwelling wildlife species we love

    March 03, 2021

    Celebrating 5 of our favorite wildlife species living in forest habitats around the world.

    A side view of an adult jaguar walking in front of large tangled tree branches
  • Small-scale dairy manufacturing provides local livelihood opportunities in western Mongolia

    February 02, 2021

    Dairy is a staple in the diets of Mongolian people but until recently, the sale of milk products was not a prominent source of income for local herders. As it turns out, diversifying community livelihood options in this village in the Bayan-ulgii province has also led to increased protections for snow leopards in the area. A win for people, and a win for nature.

    An adult yak stands with two baby yaks staring at the camera with a mountain range in the background
  • Conservation Reboot

    WWF Magazine: Spring 2021
    Scientists around the world are harnessing the power of technology to address conservation challenges.
    Graphic of signals
  • A snaring crisis grips Southeast Asia, threatening its biodiversity

    WWF Magazine: Spring 2021
    A deadly crisis is spreading across Southeast Asia, silently emptying forests of wildlife. Snaring impacts over 700 mammal species in the region, including rare animals such as the Asian elephant.
    Elephant line illustration
  • A sign of a balancing ecosystem, the Himalayan lynx returns to its ancestral home

    WWF Magazine: Spring 2021
    As the markhor, a key food source for the lynx, has returned, so has the lynx, and its reappearance is being celebrated as a sign that the ecosystem’s natural balance is on the mend.
    Lynx walking on rocky ground
  • Tatyana Minenko, polar bear patrol team leader

    Every fall, the Ryrkaipiy polar bear patrol, with the support of WWF Russia, works to protect the community and prevent human-wildlife conflict. Tatyana Minenko has been leading the patrol team since 2006. That’s when the climate crisis increased conflict in her village.

    Closeup of a woman looking through binnoculars, wearing yellow gloves and a white hat, blurry background
  • Meet Dr. Jacques Flamand

    January 06, 2021

    WWF-South Africa's wildlife veterinarian, Dr. Jacques Flamand, has dedicated his career to the protection and conservation of South Africa's iconic species, including the critically endangered black rhino.

    A man touching a black rhino that is waking up after being sedated
  • How honey can help protect tigers in China

    December 29, 2020

    WWF donated nearly 400 beehives to residents in the continental tiger range and organized training on beekeeping. Investing in their futures is also an investment in the conservation of tigers.

    A man looks at honeycomb with bees flying around