Tootfinder

Softshell turtles, and the myths that develop around them, are powerful protectors of endangered wetlands across Asia.
https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/08/ha-dinh-duc-guardian-of-hanois-legendary-turtle-died-at-86/

Logging still threatens Bornean forest once envisioned as an Indigenous-led peace park https://news.mongabay.com/2026/09/logging-still-threatens-bornean-forest-once-envisioned-as-an-indigenous-led-peace-park/

Logging still threatens Bornean forest once envisioned as an Indigenous-led peace park
A conservation park that Indigenous communities from the Malaysian state of Sarawak believed they could co-manage and self-govern has been transformed into a timber concession and stripped of critical tree cover, according to a recently published report. A group of civil society organizations based in Malaysia and abroad launched the report, “Plundering the Baram Peace […]

"Major orangutan study finds Sumatran population fell nearly 20% despite slower forest loss"
#Orangutan #Animals

Major orangutan study finds Sumatran population fell nearly 20% despite slower forest loss
JAKARTA — The number of Sumatran orangutans has declined by nearly 20% in the past decade and the critically endangered Tapanuli orangutan remains perilously close to extinction despite years of conservation efforts, according to a new study. The study, published in Global Ecology and Conservation, also suggests that habitat loss alone cannot explain the species’ […]

Cigarette butts make up 12% of aquatic litter, global review finds https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/09/cigarette-butts-make-up-12-of-aquatic-litter-global-review-finds/

Cigarette butts make up 12% of aquatic litter, global review finds
Cigarette butts account for roughly 12% of the litter found in rivers, lakes and beaches surveyed for a recent global review. Researchers pooled data from 130 studies conducted in 55 countries between 2013 and 2024. Across all ecosystems, including both aquatic and terrestrial, researchers found on average a density of 1 cigarette butt every 4 […]

"A new cat species was just discovered. Several more may follow"
#Cats #Animals
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A new cat species was just discovered. Several more may follow
Editor’s note: Last week, the description of a “new” cat species from Bolivia made headlines around the world. The tilcayo (Leopardus tilcayo), a small spotted cat from Bolivia’s Yungas cloud forests, was described as the first new living cat species discovered in more than a century. Unlike several cats recognized as new species in recent […]

Only 1,325-1,648 wild elephants left in Indonesia, government says https://news.mongabay.com/2026/08/only-1325-1648-wild-elephants-left-in-indonesia-government-says/

Only 1,325-1,648 wild elephants left in Indonesia, government says
A new 10-year plan for elephant conservation released by the Indonesian government places the country’s wild elephant population at an estimated 1,325-1,648 individuals. The previous figure, published in 2007, was 2,400-2,800 individuals, meaning the new estimate represents a decline of 41-45%. The launch of the 2026-2036 strategy and action plan comes after a long wait. […]

The Austronesian languages are one of the most diverse and dispersed language families. Their centre of origin is Taiwan, from where they spread across Southeast Asia and the Pacific and even to Madagascar. Most of the linguistic diversity is actually within Taiwan's surviving Indigenous languages, which is why the recovery of Siraya is very much to be celebrated!

Palm oil firms kept zero-deforestation pledges, but forests saw little extra benefit https://news.mongabay.com/2026/08/palm-oil-firms-kept-zero-deforestation-pledges-but-forests-saw-little-extra-benefit/

Palm oil firms kept zero-deforestation pledges, but forests saw little extra benefit
JAKARTA — A new study of palm oil concessions linked to Indonesian supply chains finds no evidence that corporate zero-deforestation commitments have led to additional reductions in deforestation. Tropical countries such as Indonesia continue to lose their forests at an alarming pace. In 2025, the world lost 4.3 million hectares of tropical primary forest, equivalent […]

"Colorful birds are at greater risk of extinction than drab birds, study finds"
#Birds #Animals

Colorful birds are at greater risk of extinction than drab birds, study finds
A new study finds colorful birds face a higher extinction risk than drab species, even beyond the pet trade, pointing to unexplained conservation threats.

"Cheetahs reintroduced to Zambia’s Greater Luangwa Ecosystem"
#Zambia #Animals #Cheetahs

Cheetahs reintroduced to Zambia’s Greater Luangwa Ecosystem
Cheetahs are back in Zambia’s Greater Luangwa Ecosystem, nearly 30 years after the big cats’ last recorded presence in the massive landscape. Six cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), three males and three females, were earlier in July moved by Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) and several conservation groups, including the South Africa-based Endangered Wildlife […]