The Latest Breaking News from Extinction

South Korea's underground seed vault could help crops survive future heat

As climate change accelerates biodiversity loss and threatens food security, South Korea is expanding an unusual form of protection, preserving the genetic resources of wild plants for the future. At the centre of this effort is the Baekdudaegan Global Seed Vault, operated by the Korea Arboreta and Gardens Institute (KoAGI).…

The Times of India · Sep 9

Anthropic researchers say AI could cause human extinction by 2030

One researcher who resigned said many in industry believe that without regulation AI could kill off humanity

The Guardian - US · Sep 9

Anthropic researcher resigns, warning that AI companies are 'gambling with our lives'

Departing Anthropic researcher is not the first to warn AI labs are racing towards catastrophe. But this time, key staff members still at Anthropic publicly endorsed the view—with one putting the chance of AI causing human extinction at more than 10%.

Fortune · Sep 9

In the 1980s, conservationists protected gorilla habitat across 3 countries despite poaching and disease. 46 years later, about 1,000 mountain gorillas still survive in forests

Mountain gorilla numbers are steadily increasing due to dedicated conservation efforts. These efforts have helped the species recover from severe threats and near extinction. Restoration projects are vital for protecting endangered species and their habitats. The mountain gorilla population, though growing, still requires significant protection. Continued habitat management ensures the…

The Economic Times · Sep 3

In 1997, Ted Turner opened his New Mexico ranch to endangered Mexican wolves; the facility became a major breeding centre for animals released into the wild

In 1997, Ted Turner’s Ladder Ranch in south-central New Mexico became part of an ambitious attempt to rescue the Mexican wolf from extinction. Rather than treating his vast ranchland simply as private property, Turner helped create a wolf management facility where endangered animals could be housed, bred and prepared for…

The Times of India · Sep 3

In 2015, 200,000 saigas died in Kazakhstan's mass die-off. 10 years later, nearly 4 million now roam the vast steppe, turning one of the species' darkest chapters around

Kazakhstan has witnessed one of wildlife conservation’s most remarkable turnarounds. Saiga antelope numbers once collapsed by about 95% after years of intense poaching and other threats. Today, millions roam the country’s vast grasslands again. Their recovery shows what sustained conservation can achieve when wildlife protection, habitat restoration and local action…

The Economic Times · Sep 3

In 1914 passenger pigeon went extinct following the death of Martha in Cincinnati Zoo, over 100 years later more than 500 bird species are facing risk of extinction, finds research study

Scientists found that even with complete protection from human-caused threats like habitat loss, hunting, and climate change, about 250 bird species could still die out.

The Economic Times · Sep 1

In 1963, officials counted just 417 nesting pairs of bald eagles as DDT drove them toward extinction. 44 years later, 9,789 pairs helped secure national symbol delisting

The bald eagle, once near extinction, has made a remarkable recovery. Habitat protection and the banning of DDT significantly aided their population rebound. Conservation efforts and public support were crucial for this species' survival. Bald eagles were removed from the endangered list in 2007. They remain protected under other federal…

The Economic Times · Sep 1

In 1987, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service captured 27 wild California condors to save them from extinction. 32 years later, the recovery program hatched its 1,000th chick, marking one of North America’s greatest wildlife recoveries

California condors faced extinction with only twenty-seven birds remaining. Conservationists captured all remaining birds for a successful breeding program. Releases began in nineteen ninety-one, rebuilding the wild population. By two thousand nineteen, the program celebrated its thousandth chick hatching.

The Economic Times · Sep 1

In 1975, fewer than 800 Aleutian cackling geese remained; fox removal and habitat protection helped the population rebound to around 200,000, and regulated hunting later returned

The Aleutian cackling goose, once on the brink of extinction, has experienced a significant revival. Thanks to targeted predator removal and the establishment of safeguarded wetlands, this nesting success story transitioned the geese from endangered to a regulated hunting classification. Now managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, this…

The Times of India · Aug 31