International Union for Conservation of Nature

A stroll through a Chinese street market offers a glimpse into centuries-old traditions, showcasing jars and pouches filled with herbs, spices, medicinal ingredients, and even dried seahorses and fish. Among these, swimming bladders—known as the “cocaine of the seas”—have become a prized item on display.

Çıralı beach in the southern province of Antalya has shattered a 30-year sea turtle nesting record, marking a significant achievement in conservation efforts.

The beach, renowned as one of Europe's top 10, saw its 153rd nest this season, surpassing the previous high of 151 nests set in 2018.

The number of sea turtle nests on Çıralı Beach in the southern province of Antalya has exceeded last year's figures, with 106 nests recorded and more anticipated, marking a promising year for these endangered creatures.

In 2018, a record was set with 152 nests on the beach located in the Kemer district, where protection and monitoring efforts have been ongoing since 1994.

The Iberian lynx, once on the brink of extinction, has made a remarkable recovery and is no longer considered critically endangered.

The population of Lertha extensa, an endangered insect species found primarily in the east of the Southeastern Anatolia region and in select areas of Iraq, Iran and Armenia, has seen a notable increase.

The species, featured on commemorative coins in Russia due to its endangered status, has become a subject of scientific interest and conservation efforts.

Over a fifth of the 11,500 endangered animal, plant and fungi species in Greece are "critically endangered," meaning they are under threat of extinction, a new assessment of the country's Red List has found.

A rare and endangered pygmy hippopotamus has been born in Athens' Attica Zoological Park for the first time in 10 years, delighting conservationists.

A lack of male pygmy hippos in captivity had complicated breeding efforts, so zoo staff were "absolutely thrilled" the baby was a boy, Noi Psaroudaki, the zoo's wildlife veterinarian, told Reuters.

Türkiye on Jan. 18 hailed the unexpected sighting of the leopard barbel fish, listed as one of the most endangered in the world, in the Tigris River.

Environmentalists say the spotted carp-like fish was last seen in the wild more than a decade ago and was feared to have become extinct.

The endangered Anatolian leopard (Panthera pardus tulliana), which was last captured in a photo in August 2019 for the first time in the country since 1974, has been spotted once again on Türkiye's lands, the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks has announced.

Nearly two thirds of the sharks and rays that live among the world's corals are threatened with extinction, according to new research published on Jan. 17, with a warning this could further imperil precious reefs.