Jaco Muller turned his 15-year-old son’s idea into 197 rhino births (September 29, 2026)
https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/09/jaco-muller-turned-his-15-year-old-sons-idea-into-197-rhino-births/
Founder’s Briefs: An occasional series where Mongabay founder Rhett Ayers Butler shares analysis, perspectives and story summaries. In 2022, poachers had taken 14 white rhinos from private farms in Namibia in six weeks, so owners started removing their horns. One cow had a horn 86 centimeters (34 inches) long. Jaco Muller said he was nearly […]
Despite a drop in deforestation in 2025, forest losses pile up in the Mekong (September 29, 2026)
https://news.mongabay.com/2026/09/despite-a-drop-in-deforestation-in-2025-forest-losses-pile-up-in-the-mekong/
- Over the course of 2025, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam lost a combined 746,168 hectares of tree cover (1.8 million acres), including more than 154,000 hectares (380,000 acres) of primary forest, according to Mongabay’s analysis of data published by the University of Maryland and Global Nature Watch.
- However, the rate of deforestation in each country dropped when compared to 2024, continuing a decline that data show started in 2023.
- Experts say fewer wildfires, stricter enforcement and lower market rates for commodities could explain the drop.
- Mongabay’s analysis also found almost 200,000 hectares (494,000 acres) of forest loss occurred within protected areas, where deforestation risks should be lower.
More plastic, less glow? Pollution threatens deep sea’s bioluminescent life, experts warn (September 28, 2026)
https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/09/more-plastic-less-glow-pollution-threatens-deep-seas-bioluminescent-life-experts-warn/
Plastic pollution could disrupt the bioluminescent light produced by deep-sea organisms, researchers warn in a letter in the journal Cambridge Prisms: Plastics. When deep-sea organisms ingest plastics, it could disrupt the chemical pathways that create bioluminescence and damage the tissues in their bodies, impairing their ability to find food and a mate, the authors said. […]
Reintroduced Grauer’s gorilla gives birth in DRC national park, ‘makes us happy’ (September 28, 2026)
https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/09/reintroduced-grauers-gorilla-gives-birth-in-drc-national-park-makes-us-happy/
Lulingu, a Grauer’s gorilla (Gorilla beringei), was reintroduced to Virunga National Park, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in 2024. In May 2026, Lulingu gave birth to a new baby, bringing hope for the species and excitement for the conservationists working there. “The baby and the mother are doing perfectly well. It really makes us happy. […]
New deep-sea creatures unlocked! (September 28, 2026)
https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/09/new-deep-sea-creatures-unlocked/
A giant octopus devouring a jellyfish. An ultra-fast gossamer worm. These are just a couple of the 31 new species scientists discovered on a recent expedition off the coast of Brazil. They explored the ocean’s midwater zone — the vast space between the sunlit surface and the seafloor — which is the Earth’s largest and […]
Sri Lanka’s disappearing snake charmers carry a legacy of fear and fascination (September 28, 2026)
https://news.mongabay.com/2026/09/sri-lankas-disappearing-snake-charmers-carry-a-legacy-of-fear-and-fascination/
- In Sri Lanka, the traditional snake charming culture is fast fading as changing livelihoods, modern entertainment and attitudes toward wildlife reshape the island’s nomadic community, the Ahikuntika tribe.
- During the act of snake charming, cobras do not respond to the music itself, but to the movement of the charmer and instrument, which they perceive as a potential threat, herpetologists say.
- Breaking a cobra’s venom fangs, which the snake charmers do, does not necessarily prevent it from developing replacement fangs, while deliberate fang removal can cause injury and raise animal-welfare concerns, conservationists say.
- Researchers recommend using the existing traditional knowledge of snakes to be redirected toward conservation action, as harmful practices associated with wildlife performances are disappearing.
As yellow-eyed penguins disappear, conservationists focus on deaths in fishing nets (September 28, 2026)
https://news.mongabay.com/2026/09/as-yellow-eyed-penguins-disappear-conservationists-focus-on-deaths-in-fishing-nets/
- Yellow-eyed penguins, found only in Aotearoa New Zealand, are at risk of extinction.
- The “mainland” population is down to 117 breeding pairs, having declined more than 80% since the 2008-2009 breeding season; the only other population, which lives on New Zealand’s subantarctic islands, is believed to be larger but isn’t well surveyed.
- Set-net fishing, a type of gillnet fishing, has been one of several factors in the population decline.
- Following pressure from conservationists but over the objections of fishers, New Zealand’s government recently banned set-net fishing around the Otago Peninsula and established an annual fishing-related mortality limit of four yellow-eyed penguins.
Rain eases in Bangkok but persistent flooding forces thousands to leave home (September 28, 2026)
https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/09/rain-eases-in-bangkok-but-persistent-flooding-forces-thousands-to-leave-home/
BANGKOK (AP) — Rain eased in Thailand ’s capital on Sunday, but flooding persisted in several low-lying areas, with thousands forced to move into temporary shelters. At least eight people were reported killed in the past 10 days nationwide. Days of continuous downpours have caused widespread flooding and severe disruptions in Bangkok, impacting traffic and […]
The mountain lion photo that helped change Los Angeles (September 28, 2026)
https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/09/the-mountain-lion-photo-that-helped-change-los-angeles/
Founder’s Briefs: An occasional series where Mongabay founder Rhett Ayers Butler shares analysis, perspectives and story summaries. A mountain lion in front of the Hollywood sign sounds almost too convenient. When photographer Steve Winter proposed the picture, National Park Service biologist Jeff Sikich thought he was crazy. There were, as far as Sikich knew, no […]
Preserving wildlife DNA for the future: Interview with the Frozen Zoo’s Katie Heineman (September 28, 2026)
https://news.mongabay.com/2026/09/preserving-wildlife-dna-for-the-future-interview-with-the-frozen-zoos-katie-heineman/
- Biodiversity banking is the collection and preservation of genetic samples of plants and animals.
- At the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, the biodiversity bank includes a plant gene bank, a tissue and DNA bank, along with their popular Frozen Zoo where genetic samples are cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen.
- Preserving genetic samples is crucial for species recovery in the future as well to preserve genetic diversity and for research purposes, Katie Heineman, conservation program leader for biodiversity banking, tells Mongabay.
- The alliance is now helping build capacity for sample collection by collaborating with governments and partner organizations in Kenya, Vietnam, Peru, and Hawai‘i.
Indonesia passes agrarian reform law amid concerns over land protections (September 28, 2026)
https://news.mongabay.com/2026/09/indonesia-passes-agrarian-reform-law-amid-concerns-over-land-protections/
- Indonesia’s long-debated Agrarian Reform Regulation Law was approved on Sept. 22.
- The legislation establishes a framework for resolving agrarian land disputes, restoring land rights and redistributing land, but details of how the law will operate remain unclear.
- A coalition of civil society groups have raised concerns about the final draft of the bill, saying it could limit land redistribution and make it difficult to resolve conflicts involving state-controlled land.
- The test of the new legislation will be whether it changes conditions for farmers, Indigenous communities, fisherfolk and other groups affected by land conflicts, says the coalition.
As Australia’s kangaroo numbers rise, record cull renews calls for other control methods (September 28, 2026)
https://news.mongabay.com/2026/09/as-australias-kangaroo-numbers-rise-record-cull-renews-calls-for-other-control-methods/
- Kangaroo populations are surging across Australia, driven partly by large-scale deforestation and few natural predators.
- This year, a controversial government cull program in the Australian Capital Territory logged one of its highest numbers of kills.
- Scientists and conservationists say there’s no easy way to control the species’ growing numbers.
- Other possible solutions include reforestation efforts and reintroducing native predators like dingoes.
Philippines is the deadliest country in Asia for environmental defenders, report finds (September 28, 2026)
https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/09/philippines-is-the-deadliest-country-in-asia-for-environmental-defenders-report-finds/
The Philippines remains the deadliest country in Asia for land and environmental defenders, according to a new report by the non-profit Global Witness. In its report, Global Witness says it could verify the killings of 124 land and environmental defenders worldwide in 2025. While the majority, 85% of cases, occurred in Latin America, Asia accounted […]
Singapore’s plan to merge several islands could wipe out coral reefs (September 28, 2026)
https://news.mongabay.com/2026/09/singapores-plan-to-merge-several-islands-could-wipe-out-coral-reefs/
- Singapore’s prime minister recently announced plans to merge several islands into a new “western island” to support “a new generation of industries.”
- The mega-project could bury up to 60% of Singapore’s remaining reefs, many of which are “mother” reefs and of regional ecological significance, conservationists say.
- The reefs are traditional fishing grounds for the Indigenous Orang Laut, who say the project would restrict their access to an area of cultural significance.
- The project raises awkward questions about the volume and source of sand needed to construct the island.
Undiscovered Amazon drugs could be valued at $215 billion, analysis finds (September 28, 2026)
https://news.mongabay.com/2026/09/undiscovered-amazon-drugs-could-be-valued-at-215-billion-analysis-finds/
- Tropical forests hold up to $714 billion in potential drug value, with the Amazon accounting for $215 billion of the total, according to a new analysis.
- Ongoing deforestation threatens to permanently erase undiscovered plant species and lifesaving medicinal compounds before scientists can study them.
- While pricing nature highlights its economic value to counter clearing, experts warn it risks repeating past extraction and resource grabs unless paired with strict benefit-sharing and local scientific leadership.
Bringing back Bali’s lost fireflies (September 27, 2026)
https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/09/bringing-back-balis-lost-fireflies/
Fireflies are disappearing from the Indonesian island of Bali… but local Wayan Wardika is trying to bring them back. Fireflies in Southeast Asia are vanishing due to habitat loss, light pollution, pesticide use, and climate change—and the same is happening on this rapidly developing island. In 2020, he launched Bring Back the Light, Indonesia’s only […]
A plan to save Bali’s lost fireflies (September 26, 2026)
https://news.mongabay.com/video/2026/09/a-plan-to-save-balis-lost-fireflies/
BALI — Indonesia. Wayan Wardika used to see “clouds of fireflies” as a child growing up among the rice fields of Bali, Indonesia. But 40 years later, he realized that the fireflies in his village had all but disappeared. Fireflies in Southeast Asia are vanishing due to habitat loss, light pollution, pesticide use, and climate […]
How new is the first ‘new-to-science’ cat discovered in more than 100 years? (September 25, 2026)
https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/09/how-new-is-the-first-new-to-science-cat-discovered-in-more-than-100-years/
Scientists have described a species of tiger cat that was previously unknown to science. From Bolivia’s Yungas cloud forests, it is the first discovery of a living novel cat species in more than 100 years. The tilcayo (Leopardus tilcayo) takes its species name from the name locals already had for it. Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz, a National […]
NGOs call on Vantara to end all wild animal imports permanently (September 25, 2026)
https://news.mongabay.com/2026/09/ngos-call-on-vantara-to-end-all-wild-animal-imports-permanently/
- In a letter, 27 leading global wildlife conservation and animal welfare organizations have urged Vantara, a private zoo in India funded by Reliance Industries’ nonprofit, to permanently end all wild animal imports into its facilities.
- The letter comes after Vantara announced a self-imposed one-year moratorium, which runs through June 2027, on all animal imports to its facilities as it improves its “due diligence” by appointing a governing council and stricter oversight.
- The announcement came amid allegations of illegal wildlife trade linked to Vantara — and a CITES Secretariat investigation into its 60,000 live animal imports over the past two years.
- The coalition of NGOs call for Vantara to address compliance concerns of animals already under its care, be transparent about future acquisitions and prioritize conservation of wildlife in their native habitats.
To tackle environmental crime, track profits through the whole supply chain (commentary) (September 25, 2026)
https://news.mongabay.com/2026/09/to-tackle-environmental-crime-track-profits-through-the-whole-supply-chain-commentary/
- The world has spent a decade trying to put a price on nature, yet the criminal economy has been putting a price on it for much longer.
- Land grabbing, illegal logging, illicit gold mining and wildlife trafficking are extremely lucrative and have become a serious drag on both sustainable development and climate action, a new op-ed argues, and its drivers must be addressed from where extraction begins all the way to corporate offices.
- “The world is still working out how much a standing forest is worth. Criminal markets settled on a price for a felled one long ago,” the authors write.
- This article is a commentary. The views expressed are those of the authors, not necessarily of Mongabay.