"One of the rarest whales in the world has been spotted off the coast of South Carolina for the first time in three years."

"Ocean noise pollution caused by shipping, oil and gas development, and other human activities interfere with the ability of marine mammals to detect prey and communicate with one another. Yet some areas of the ocean remain refuges of quiet. Scientists hope these acoustic sanctuaries will be protected."

"Suspicion over federal plans to restore endangered Mexican gray wolves in the Southwest has spread to Colorado and Utah, where ranchers and officials are fiercely resisting any attempt to import the predators."

"The Fish and Wildlife Service is barring the door against 201 species of salamanders, making it illegal to import them or move them across state lines, the agency announced on Tuesday. Scientists hope the ban will help prevent a devastating outbreak from driving native salamander species extinct."

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finalized new regulations on Thursday to protect the beleaguered northern long-eared bat — but some environmentalists say the government should be doing more.

"This year marks the 100-year anniversary of the historic Migratory Bird Treaty. Environmentalists find much to celebrate, but challenges remain for migratory bird populations."

"Government officials will consider new protections for a small, fanged predator [the fisher] that thrives in old-growth forests of the Northern Rockies over concerns that trapping, habitat loss and poisoning could be harming the animal's population."