Mystery of the Missing Puerto Rican Parrots

ENVIRONMENT Among Puerto Rico’s displaced residents is an entire flock of critically endangered parrots. (Atlas Obscura) How are conservationists working to support Puerto Rican parrots? Use our activity to learn more about captive breeding. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas The great Atlas Obscura article describes the Puerto Rican parrot, also called the iguaca, as … Continue reading Mystery of the Missing Puerto Rican Parrots

China’s Wildlife Protection Law Will Harm Wildlife

ENVIRONMENT China has released a new draft of its wildlife conservation law, and it does little to actually promote conservation. (Nat Geo News) What is conservation, and why is it important? Read our encyclopedic entry to find out. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers’ Toolkit. Discussion Ideas The Nat Geo News article outlines the omissions in China’s new … Continue reading China’s Wildlife Protection Law Will Harm Wildlife

Panda Twins Face 4 Big Threats to Survival

SCIENCE Now that Washington, D.C.’s panda has surprised the world with twin cubs, zoo staff are working ’round the clock to help the babies through their first fragile weeks of life. (Nat Geo News) Learn about pandas from Nat Geo Kids, then click on China in our “GIS in Action” interactive to learn more about the threats they face. Teachers, scroll down for a quick … Continue reading Panda Twins Face 4 Big Threats to Survival

Panda Populations on the Rebound

SCIENCE The population of wild giant pandas has risen some 17% in just over a decade, the Chinese government reported this week. (Nat Geo News) Play our game to design a giant panda wildlife reserve with the right amount of food, water, and shelter to help your pandas be healthy, learn important survival and social skills, and prepare for release into the wild. Teachers, scroll down for … Continue reading Panda Populations on the Rebound

Is Breeding Pandas in Captivity Worth It?

POLITICS People love their pandas—the endangered black-and-white mammal is perhaps the most recognizable conservation symbol in the world. Possibly as few as 1,600 giant pandas still roam the mountainous forests of central China, and more than 300 live in captivity in various facilities around the globe. But is the considerable effort and millions of dollars put into breeding the animals in captivity really worth it? … Continue reading Is Breeding Pandas in Captivity Worth It?