Conservation

New Caledonia's giant geckos are the latest sensation in the global pet trade. But conservationists warn their social media-fuelled popularity is putting the endangered species at risk.

After an "unprecedented" drop in numbers, adult little penguins have begun returning to an east coast Tasmanian town, with scientists predicting winter breeding is to come.

The tiny mammal's population was decimated by drought and bushfires, but after five years of struggle they are starting to thrive.

The endangered little tern has experienced one of its best breeding seasons in decades, with the highest-ever number of fledglings recorded by scientists.

Australian Consolidated Gold has withdrawn its bid to drill for copper and gold near the Macquarie Marshes in NSW, prompting calls for tougher scrutiny of mining approvals in ecologically sensitive areas.

With Australia in the grip of what many consider a biodiversity crisis, here's what the major parties have promised when it comes to nature laws and the environment.

A community environment group has found wildlife on an isolated section of land cut off from Bribie Island and fears coastal erosion will destroy its habitat.

The big moment of releasing a group of juvenile spotted handfish into the wild has arrived — and to help them adjust, researchers have built little underwater "hotels" for the young fish.

Three scent-detection dogs help to locate an elusive orchid that is "almost impossible to find with the naked eye", as part of efforts to protect the plant.

Results from the fifth annual bilby survey show the population in protected zones across the country is stabilising.

Years of fires, landclearing and introduced predators have seen Australia's bilby population plummet but a glimmer of hope exists within six protected areas.

Research tracking released bilbies and bettongs in remote SA has found feral cats are their biggest killer.

Native freshwater turtles have declined by up to 91 per cent in parts of the River Murray, but Indigenous rangers and conservationists are fighting to bring them back.

Striking historic drawings of the Great Barrier Reef found in an old, waterlogged book capture the spell this underwater world has put on people for centuries. 

The complex songs of the tiny social bird could advertise whether it's a risk-taking explorer or a stay-at-home defender, and influence how it chooses a mate.

Four kilometres below the surface of the Tasman Sea is a strange world inhabited by even stranger creatures. In its autumn voyage, the CSIRO's Research Vessel Investigator took a closer look.

Birdwatching is soaring in popularity, with research showing it reduces distress and boosts mental wellbeing, while also providing crucial data about bird populations.

From serving up fresh seafood to scrubbing shells, volunteers from around the world are helping restore sea turtles to health and before their return to the wild.

People leaving fish and pig carcasses at boat ramps along a crocodile-infested river in Queensland are being warned they are putting lives at risk.

The South East Forest Rescue group alleged the Forestry Corporation of NSW did not conduct a broad area habitat search for features of habitat for three species of glider in areas of native forest logging in NSW.