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Can India’s last lions be saved?

Decades after nearly going extinct, the world’s only existing population of Asiatic lions is overrunning a small reserve in western India. Now what?

Can India’s last lions be saved?

Meet the conservationist helping people live with wild animals

Krithi Karanth, the 2026 Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year, is reimagining how wildlife conservation can work.

Meet the conservationist helping people live with wild animals

Can Ibiza's colorful lizards survive a snake explosion?

Scientists are in a race against time to document and safeguard the diversity of lizards that live on the island and its neighbors, before predators gobble them all up.

Can Ibiza's colorful lizards survive a snake explosion?

How a Nat Geo photographer captured the first-ever drone footage of Earth’s largest land migration

The largest land migration of mammals, featuring six million antelope, takes place in South Sudan as the ungulates cross from wetlands to dry plains and back over the Great Nile Migration Landscape.

How a Nat Geo photographer captured the first-ever drone footage of Earth’s largest land migration

Rare jaguar caught on camera drinking from Arizona watering hole

The male, named Cinco, is only the fifth jaguar seen in southern Arizona in 15 years. The sighting gives conservationists hope for their future. This rare video shows Cinco, a jaguar that calls the Sky Islands of southern Arizona home.

Rare jaguar caught on camera drinking from Arizona watering hole

Why 'Chonkers' the Steller sea lion is such a rare sight

Scientists and tourists alike have been amazed by the massive sea lion hanging out on a San Francisco pier. The species can grow nearly twice the size of California sea lions.

Why 'Chonkers' the Steller sea lion is such a rare sight

The ice that once saved bowhead whales is vanishing beneath them

Populations of bowhead whales were able to hide from hunters under ice, a new study finds, saving them from extinction. But now, climate change is making that refuge disappear.

The ice that once saved bowhead whales is vanishing beneath them

Why millions are obsessed with Sweden's spring moose migration

The Great Moose Migration, a forest livestream that occasionally features an ungulate, is cult reality television in Scandinavia. Photographer Nora Lorek first became interested in The Great Moose Migration in 2023, when she heard chatter about the show in Sweden and on social media.

Why millions are obsessed with Sweden's spring moose migration

This is the world’s largest overland migration. Can it be saved?

Each year around this time, an unfathomable parade of antelope travels across South Sudan. Now, after decades of war, the grandeur of the once hidden migration is being revealed—as well as its fragility.

This is the world’s largest overland migration. Can it be saved?

How wildebeest reshape the Serengeti during Africa’s Great Migration

Each spring, millions of wildebeest begin a 500-mile journey driven by rain, grass, and survival. Wildebeests gather to graze and calve on the short-grass plains.

How wildebeest reshape the Serengeti during Africa’s Great Migration

Watch Bruce the parrot defeat his rivals with only half a beak

Kea parrots are known for being extremely curious and capable of solving complex problems ; they can even make each other chuckle. Now, for the first time, a kea named Bruce has demonstrated skilled combat techniques after losing his upper beak.

Watch Bruce the parrot defeat his rivals with only half a beak

Why warblers face an increasingly treacherous spring migration

Each spring, these tiny birds fly thousands of miles north—but warming temperatures may be reshaping when and where they arrive.

Why warblers face an increasingly treacherous spring migration

These animals have evolved to escape certain death

The surprising escapes from near-death situations of beetles and other small animals illustrate how both prey and predators can adapt to challenges over time.

These animals have evolved to escape certain death

The surprising hidden glow of one of Earth’s largest birds

Scientists were surprised to discover cassowaries glow under ultraviolet light. It may help the birds distinguish between different species.

The surprising hidden glow of one of Earth’s largest birds

We’re one step closer to understanding the sperm whale ‘alphabet’

Scientists are learning that sperm whales communicate in ways that may mirror human language.

We’re one step closer to understanding the sperm whale ‘alphabet’

Why chimp friends turned into foes in an unprecedented 'civil war'

The long-running conflict in a formerly unified community, the second ever observed, adds to Jane Goodall’s studies about a different chimp war in the 1970s.

Why chimp friends turned into foes in an unprecedented 'civil war'

Inside the illegal lion trade

Growing demand for lion bones, skins, teeth, and claws poses a serious new threat to the species.

Inside the illegal lion trade

Would you adopt a lab animal?

Scientists have found post-research homes for dogs, cats, rats, and many other kinds of animals, but adopting them out does come with challenges.

Would you adopt a lab animal?

My sleepless night in a chimpanzee nest

Unraveling the mystery of human evolution, thirty-five feet in the air.

My sleepless night in a chimpanzee nest

Male octopus has ‘sex arm’ that can mate in the dark

Scientists found that the male’s hectocotylus, the specialized arm for mating, is lined with receptors that can sense hormones from the female.

Male octopus has ‘sex arm’ that can mate in the dark

Atlantic puffins are returning to shore. Here’s how to see the fleeting spring spectacle.

After months at sea, the orange-beaked birds are gathering along coastal cliffs in a short but sensational migration. Atlantic puffins pair stand outside a nest burrow on Skomer Island in Pembrokeshire, Wales, United Kingdom. Puffins return to coastal breeding colonies in early-to-mid April.

Atlantic puffins are returning to shore. Here’s how to see the fleeting spring spectacle.

Secrets of the bees: Revealing the sneaky genius of nature's brightest thinkers

New science is showing that nature’s vital pollinators are smarter than we ever imagined. Here’s why that discovery should change what we think about one of the world’s most important animals.

Secrets of the bees: Revealing the sneaky genius of nature's brightest thinkers

Scientists recorded a sperm whale birth up close for the first time. They discovered something extraordinary.

The marine mammals act like midwives, supporting mothers and their calves through delivery. 

Scientists recorded a sperm whale birth up close for the first time. They discovered something extraordinary.

A mystery pod of orcas surprised Seattle whale watchers

Three unidentified orcas have been spotted in the Salish Sea in March 2026. Tamara Kelley, Orca Conservancy It’s rare for unknown adult whales to show up in this region, where orca populations are closely monitored.

A mystery pod of orcas surprised Seattle whale watchers

How a deadly fungus could decimate North America’s salamanders

An insidious disease has eliminated dozens of the world’s frog species. Scientists fear a similar plague could be coming for North America’s salamanders.

How a deadly fungus could decimate North America’s salamanders
Can India’s last lions be saved?

Can India’s last lions be saved?

Decades after nearly going extinct, the world’s only existing population of Asiatic lions is overrunning a small reserve in western India. Now what?

Meet the conservationist helping people live with wild animals

Meet the conservationist helping people live with wild animals

Krithi Karanth, the 2026 Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year, is reimagining how wildlife conservation can work.

Can Ibiza's colorful lizards survive a snake explosion?

Can Ibiza's colorful lizards survive a snake explosion?

Scientists are in a race against time to document and safeguard the diversity of lizards that live on the island and its neighbors, before predators gobble them all up.

How a Nat Geo photographer captured the first-ever drone footage of Earth’s largest land migration

How a Nat Geo photographer captured the first-ever drone footage of Earth’s largest land migration

The largest land migration of mammals, featuring six million antelope, takes place in South Sudan as the ungulates cross from wetlands to dry plains and back over the Great Nile Migration Landscape.

Rare jaguar caught on camera drinking from Arizona watering hole

Rare jaguar caught on camera drinking from Arizona watering hole

The male, named Cinco, is only the fifth jaguar seen in southern Arizona in 15 years. The sighting gives conservationists hope for their future. This rare video shows Cinco, a jaguar that calls the Sky Islands of southern Arizona home.

Why 'Chonkers' the Steller sea lion is such a rare sight

Why 'Chonkers' the Steller sea lion is such a rare sight

Scientists and tourists alike have been amazed by the massive sea lion hanging out on a San Francisco pier. The species can grow nearly twice the size of California sea lions.

The ice that once saved bowhead whales is vanishing beneath them

The ice that once saved bowhead whales is vanishing beneath them

Populations of bowhead whales were able to hide from hunters under ice, a new study finds, saving them from extinction. But now, climate change is making that refuge disappear.

Why millions are obsessed with Sweden's spring moose migration

Why millions are obsessed with Sweden's spring moose migration

The Great Moose Migration, a forest livestream that occasionally features an ungulate, is cult reality television in Scandinavia. Photographer Nora Lorek first became interested in The Great Moose Migration in 2023, when she heard chatter about the show in Sweden and on social media.

This is the world’s largest overland migration. Can it be saved?

This is the world’s largest overland migration. Can it be saved?

Each year around this time, an unfathomable parade of antelope travels across South Sudan. Now, after decades of war, the grandeur of the once hidden migration is being revealed—as well as its fragility.

How wildebeest reshape the Serengeti during Africa’s Great Migration

How wildebeest reshape the Serengeti during Africa’s Great Migration

Each spring, millions of wildebeest begin a 500-mile journey driven by rain, grass, and survival. Wildebeests gather to graze and calve on the short-grass plains.

Watch Bruce the parrot defeat his rivals with only half a beak

Watch Bruce the parrot defeat his rivals with only half a beak

Kea parrots are known for being extremely curious and capable of solving complex problems ; they can even make each other chuckle. Now, for the first time, a kea named Bruce has demonstrated skilled combat techniques after losing his upper beak.

Why warblers face an increasingly treacherous spring migration

Why warblers face an increasingly treacherous spring migration

Each spring, these tiny birds fly thousands of miles north—but warming temperatures may be reshaping when and where they arrive.

These animals have evolved to escape certain death

These animals have evolved to escape certain death

The surprising escapes from near-death situations of beetles and other small animals illustrate how both prey and predators can adapt to challenges over time.

The surprising hidden glow of one of Earth’s largest birds

The surprising hidden glow of one of Earth’s largest birds

Scientists were surprised to discover cassowaries glow under ultraviolet light. It may help the birds distinguish between different species.

We’re one step closer to understanding the sperm whale ‘alphabet’

We’re one step closer to understanding the sperm whale ‘alphabet’

Scientists are learning that sperm whales communicate in ways that may mirror human language.

Why chimp friends turned into foes in an unprecedented 'civil war'

Why chimp friends turned into foes in an unprecedented 'civil war'

The long-running conflict in a formerly unified community, the second ever observed, adds to Jane Goodall’s studies about a different chimp war in the 1970s.

Inside the illegal lion trade

Inside the illegal lion trade

Growing demand for lion bones, skins, teeth, and claws poses a serious new threat to the species.

Would you adopt a lab animal?

Would you adopt a lab animal?

Scientists have found post-research homes for dogs, cats, rats, and many other kinds of animals, but adopting them out does come with challenges.

My sleepless night in a chimpanzee nest

My sleepless night in a chimpanzee nest

Unraveling the mystery of human evolution, thirty-five feet in the air.

Male octopus has ‘sex arm’ that can mate in the dark

Male octopus has ‘sex arm’ that can mate in the dark

Scientists found that the male’s hectocotylus, the specialized arm for mating, is lined with receptors that can sense hormones from the female.

Atlantic puffins are returning to shore. Here’s how to see the fleeting spring spectacle.

Atlantic puffins are returning to shore. Here’s how to see the fleeting spring spectacle.

After months at sea, the orange-beaked birds are gathering along coastal cliffs in a short but sensational migration. Atlantic puffins pair stand outside a nest burrow on Skomer Island in Pembrokeshire, Wales, United Kingdom. Puffins return to coastal breeding colonies in early-to-mid April.

Secrets of the bees: Revealing the sneaky genius of nature's brightest thinkers

Secrets of the bees: Revealing the sneaky genius of nature's brightest thinkers

New science is showing that nature’s vital pollinators are smarter than we ever imagined. Here’s why that discovery should change what we think about one of the world’s most important animals.

Scientists recorded a sperm whale birth up close for the first time. They discovered something extraordinary.

Scientists recorded a sperm whale birth up close for the first time. They discovered something extraordinary.

The marine mammals act like midwives, supporting mothers and their calves through delivery. 

A mystery pod of orcas surprised Seattle whale watchers

A mystery pod of orcas surprised Seattle whale watchers

Three unidentified orcas have been spotted in the Salish Sea in March 2026. Tamara Kelley, Orca Conservancy It’s rare for unknown adult whales to show up in this region, where orca populations are closely monitored.

How a deadly fungus could decimate North America’s salamanders

How a deadly fungus could decimate North America’s salamanders

An insidious disease has eliminated dozens of the world’s frog species. Scientists fear a similar plague could be coming for North America’s salamanders.

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