John R. Platt is the editor of The Revelator. An award-winning environmental journalist, his work has appeared in Scientific American, Audubon, Motherboard, and numerous other magazines and publications. His "Extinction Countdown" column has run continuously since 2004 and has covered news and science related to more than 1,000 endangered species. John lives on the outskirts of Portland, Ore., where he finds himself surrounded by animals and cartoonists.
Hawaii's Snail Extinction Crisis: "We're Just Trying to Stop the Bleeding"
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.
The Biggest Issues for Wildlife and Endangered Species in 2019
It’s going to be a rough year, but we’ll also see some progress
Swampy Thing: The Giant New Salamander Species Discovered in Florida and Alabama
After decades of rumors and searches, the existence of a two-foot-long amphibian called “the reticulated siren” has finally been confirmed
You Can't Save a Species If It Doesn't Have a Name
A newly discovered plant genus could be wiped out by dams and mining. Could giving it a name save it from extinction?
Trump, Zombie Deregulation and the Hawaiian Hawk
A bid to remove the bird from the Endangered Species Act has emerged once again—long after the disappearance of the organization that proposed its removal
Shock as China Legalizes Medicinal Trade in Rhino Horns and Tiger Parts
Conservationists: Don't Give Up on the "Living Dead"
Small, remnant populations might look like they’re doomed, but a new study says they could still deserve protection
Prickly but Unprotected: 18 Percent of Cactus Species at Risk
A new study—the first of its kind—finds the world’s conservation areas fail to protect hundreds of rare cactus species
New Tree Species Discovered—and Declared Extinct
Researchers have identified a new tree species in Cameroon, but it only grew in a landscape that has now been destroyed by agriculture
When This Rat Went Extinct, So Did a Flea
The extinction of the Christmas Island flea—and the current risk to other parasites—shows a major gap in conservation efforts
Lemurs in Crisis: 105 Species Now Threatened with Extinction
At least 95 percent of Madagascar’s beloved primates are now at risk, conservationists warn
Lion-Hunting by Trump Donors Is Awful, but the Trade in Lion Bones Is Worse
Experts worry this booming trade could doom the big cats in the wild
Is the Great Indian Bustard About to Go Extinct?
Only one male has turned up at the birds’ breeding grounds this year—and he’s too young to breed
Climate Change Is Killing These Ancient Trees , but That's Just Part of the Story
New research shows 2,000-year-old baobab trees are suddenly dying. New trees won’t have a chance, either
Bat-Killing Fungus Spreads to 2 New Species and 2 New States
The fungus that causes white-nose syndrome continues its deadly spread west, but a meeting of bat researchers reveals cause for hope
Saving California Condors with a Chisel and Hand Puppets
Conservationists have helped to save North America’s largest bird from extinction, but it’s still important to give every chick a chance to fly free
8 Years until Red Wolf Extinction?
As the wild population falls to just 40 animals, captive breeding may be their last chance for survival
Extinct in Algeria: Rare Plant Declared Lost
Exhaustive searchers have failed to turn up the lost Algerian species Adenocarpus faurei. Could other plants in the region also be extinct?
Amur Leopard Population Triples--to 103
Thanks to protective efforts in Russia, these critically endangered big cats have renewed hope of avoiding extinction
Poachers versus Poop
The key to saving elephants and other species may lie in the DNA contained in their droppings, says conservation biologist Samuel Wasser
Trump Budget Cuts Could Cause Hundreds of Plant Extinctions in Hawaii
The “extinction capital of the world” could start losing unique plant species in as little as a month if funding disappears
America's Freshwater Mussels Are Going Extinct--Here's Why That Sucks
Dozens of these water-filtering species are at risk of vanishing, and that’s bad news for every living creature that relies on them
No Cell Phone Reception? That's Good News for Jaguars
A new study finds the big cats and other endangered animals do best in places where there’s no coverage
RIP Sudan, the Last Male Northern White Rhino
The most famous rhino in the world has died, leaving behind two aging females and a hole in our world