Extinction Countdown

The extinction crisis threatens life all over the planet, but scientists are cautious about declaring a species extinct too quickly.

A new UN report finds that at least 1 million species are at risk of extinction. Will this finally be enough to motivate worldwide action?

The worldwide demand for limestone for use in cement production threatens these rock-climbing species and other amazing wildlife.

The tragic death, following an artificial insemination procedure, leaves just three turtles of the species alive.

It appears to have been wiped out by pollution, development and illegal mining by “sand mafias.” Will other plants soon follow?

New genetic tests may reveal the secret to saving the critically endangered Siamese crocodile from extinction.

The Bramble Cay melomys, a tiny island rodent, was wiped out by sea-level rise, according to the government of Australia.

The gigantic Ozark hellbender salamander is in trouble in the wild, but one zoo — and a hard-working team — is helping to boost its populations.

Carcharhinus obsolerus (that’s Latin for “extinct”) swam in the waters of the western Pacific, but it hasn’t been seen in 80-plus years.

The death of a snail named George on New Year’s Day marked the extinction of his species. Saving the rest of Hawaii’s unique snails is a race against time — but not one without hope.