"U.S. wildlife authorities listed the Gunnison sage grouse as threatened on Wednesday, disappointing environmental activists who wanted the species given greater protection, and politicians who did not want the federal government involved."

"Every fall and winter at sunset, the sky above Staten Island fills with majestic sandhill cranes alighting in the fields. The sight is more spectacular than usual this year, as the number of cranes wintering on the island in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta has doubled over the same time in 2013."

"Growing numbers of non-native crayfish are leading to a “devastating” explosion in the population of destructive American mink in Scotland, experts have warned."

"Chinese officials and businesspeople used a state trip by President Xi Jinping and other high-level visits to smuggle ivory out of Tanzania, an environmental watchdog said Thursday, casting doubt over Beijing's efforts to end the illegal trade that has led to rampant elephant poaching throughout Africa."

"New reports of waterfowl landing on toxic ponds of industrial waste in the oil sands of northern Alberta are being investigated by the Canadian province's energy regulator in light of the death of 1,600 ducks on such ponds in 2008."

"Some rarer birds have grown in number over last 30 years due to conservation efforts while some well known species have fallen"

Gray wolves are coming back in the northern Rockies and Pacific Northwest. People have mixed feelings about wolves.

"Ever feel the urge to get close to a bear so you can snap a quick photo when you're in a national park or forest? It could be the last thing you ever do, federal officials are warning visitors in one California forest area."

"The vast marshes on the southwestern tip of the Alaskan peninsula must look like a buffet to a seagrass-loving goose like the Pacific black brant."

"The U.S. government has proposed adding four types of freshwater turtles to an international endangered species list, in part to better monitor exports of the species, whose meat is considered a delicacy in Asia."