Rare "highly toxic" viper found in Ohio
"Swamp rattlers" were once found across 30 Ohio counties, but for decades, they've become "increasingly rare" – and have only been seen in a handful of spots.
Endangered Species
Video catches pilot landing helicopter on protected bird site in Florida
Video from May 12 shows a mass of protected shorebirds fleeing the beach at Florida's Edgmont Key State Park as a helicopter makes an illegal landing.
Man fined after attempt to "body slam" orca in New Zealand
Orcas face an "immediate high risk of extinction" in New Zealand – and one man was filmed attempting to "body slam" an adult male as it swam alongside a calf.
More Florida panthers have died so far in 2024 than in all of last year
Of the 14 deaths in 2024, 11 involved vehicle, according to statistics from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Heat wave in Mexico linked to "mass deaths" of monkeys
"If you see monkeys that are weak... please try to hoist a bucket of water by rope for them to drink," a wildlife preservation group said.
Mysterious origin of the "tree of life" revealed
The trees have been called both "grotesque" and "one of the most charismatic species on our planet" – and now we know where they came from.
Screaming leads workers to tiger footprints, victim's body
A team was deployed to search for the critically endangered cat after a man was found dead with wounds indicating a tiger attack.
Live camera shows peregrine falcons nesting on Alcatraz Island
"This impressive bird has long been noted for its speed, grace, and aerial skills," the National Park Service says. "Now, it is also a symbol of America's recovering threatened and endangered species."
60 Minutes Archive: Race to save the tortoise
60 Minutes traveled to Madagascar in 2012 to report on efforts being made to save endangered turtles and tortoises, including the plowshare tortoise, a species that remains at risk of extinction due to poaching for the illegal pet trade.
Scientists trying to protect wildlife from extinction as climate raises risk
Scientists are using a range of tools to protect the endangered wildlife that could disappear in coming decades.
What is biodiversity and why is it important? Here's what to know.
This Earth Day, learn about the millions of species of plants and animals and the vital role they all play in the planet's future.
Too hot for a lizard? Climate change quickens extinction
A disappearing lizard population in the mountains of Arizona shows how climate change is fast-tracking the rate of extinction.
2 endangered ferrets cloned from animal frozen in 1980s
The recent births of Noreen and Antonia are boosting hopes of diversifying the endangered species.
Six-legged gazelle spotted in Israel
Experts say a rare six-legged gazelle with a genetic disorder has beaten the odds to "lead an impressive life" in an Israeli nature reserve.
Endangered whale found dead off Virginia was killed in ship collision
There are fewer than 360 North Atlantic right whales and the species is vulnerable to ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear.
Botswana threatens to send 20,000 elephants to "roam free" in Germany
Botswana says it will send its surplus elephants to Europe if Germany goes ahead with plans to restrict the import of hunting trophies from Africa.
Australia races to save last few earless dragons in the wild
The critically endangered dragons will likely be extinct in the next 20 years without conservation efforts, experts say.
Japanese island plagued by voracious birds and their acidic poop
Great cormorants were once endangered in Japan, but now they've eaten and pooped their way onto the holy island of Miyajima's most-wanted list.
8 kids, 1 adult die after eating sea turtle in Zanzibar, officials say
Sea turtle meat is considered a delicacy in Zanzibar even though it periodically results in deaths from chelonitoxism, a type of food poisoning.
Rare red panda among 87 animals seized from smugglers at Thai airport
Officials in Thailand say 87 live animals, including an endangered red panda, were found in smugglers' luggage as they tried to fly to India.
Whale calf suffered "agonizing death" after vessel strike
A calf of one of the world's most endangered large whale species was found in January with "serious injuries to its head, mouth, and lip from a vessel strike."
Rescuers work to get a baby elephant hit by a train back on her feet
India's train tracks run straight through elephant country, and collisions are a big problem. Meet a team trying to get one victim back on her feet.
Emaciated endangered whale found dead on Oregon shore
With so many visible signs of distress, officials believe they may know what led to the young and endangered 46-foot-long fin whale's death.
Rare snow leopard captured after killing dozens of animals
The leopard was captured after becoming trapped in a livestock enclosure, killing some 30 animals, officials said.
First rhino IVF pregnancy could save species with only 2 living animals
Just two northern white rhinos remain in the world – and the world's first IVF pregnancy in its closest relatives could help their species.
House panel releases more records from Jeffrey Epstein's estate
The new records include a birthday letter to Epstein allegedly written by President Trump, which he has denied writing.
Exclusive
NIH whistleblower details clash over vaccines with Trump officials
A former NIH official says she was removed after clashes over vaccines, accusing RFK Jr. and his deputies of posing "a substantial and specific danger to public health and safety."
Supreme Court allows sweeping immigration stops in Los Angeles area
The Supreme Court froze a lower court order that prevented immigration authorities from stopping people without reasonable suspicion that they are in the U.S. unlawfully.
Florida's decision to end vaccine rules wasn't based on data, surgeon general says
Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo said his department did not do any data analysis on how a change in vaccine rules could affect outbreaks of diseases like measles, polio or whooping cough.
Americans' confidence in finding a new job is crumbling, survey finds
Americans' confidence in finding a new job fell to the lowest measure on record, a survey from the New York Fed shows.
Man charged in retired Auburn professor's murder in Alabama
A retired Auburn University professor was stabbed to death in a public park near the school in Alabama on Saturday, according to police and the university.
Economists expect a major downward jobs revision from BLS tomorrow
Economists expect the Bureau of Labor Statistics to revise its jobs data downward for the year ended in March 2025. Here's why.
Deadly kissing bug disease has spread in the U.S. Here's what to know.
Chagas disease is already endemic to 21 countries in the Americas, and growing evidence of the parasite is challenging the non-endemic label in the U.S., the CDC says.
DHS announces "Operation Midway Blitz" amid ICE operations in Chicago
President Donald Trump has amplified his promises to send National Guard troops and immigration agents to Chicago by posting a parody image from "Apocalypse Now" featuring a ball of flames as helicopters zoom over the nation's third-largest city.