Twice as many plants and animals sold in wildlife trade as previously thought, says report

30 October 2026 at 21:00

More than 100,000 species are traded globally, whether illegally smuggled, sold as ornaments or in fisheries, timber and fashion industries, study finds

The number of plant and animal species in use or sold in the wildlife trade is more than twice as high as previously thought, researchers have discovered.

A study, published in Science Advances, warns that there are huge gaps in global assessments of how wildlife is traded, and that past estimates have failed to keep up with changes such as the boom in the online exotic pet trade, where sellers offering to post spider eggs across the world or sneak reptiles on to planes are just a click away.

Conservation Efforts for Caucasian Leopards Show Promise

NYT > Top Stories

By: Eric Niiler

30 October 2026 at 17:35

In Armenia, a three-legged Caucasian leopard’s astonishing hike signals that conservation efforts for the endangered animal may be working.

Biodiversity Cop17 seems to be stalling. Is it time to reform the process?

The Guardian

By: Patrick Greenfield

30 October 2026 at 10:00

In this week’s newsletter: There are too many meetings, and not enough decisions, say experts – and time is running out

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When things are not going well at an environmental summit, organisers often tell delegates that the “world is watching” in an attempt to focus minds. But spend any time at biodiversity Cop17 in Armenia and it is clear that the world’s attention is elsewhere.

The negotiating halls of Yerevan’s Meridian centre are subdued. Environment ministers have arrived from all corners of the world to plan their response to being so far behind the biodiversity targets they agreed four years ago. Right now, they appear on track to miss nearly all of them. They risk continuing the miserable record of never having met a biodiversity target they have set for themselves.

The climate crisis will destroy our economies – we learned this 20 years ago. When will we act?

Heat killed ‘staggering’ 50,000 people in Europe’s cities this summer, scientists warn

Angry Labour MPs urge leadership not to overrule energy secretary on Rosebank

Wildlife Trusts hit £30m target to buy and rewild huge Northumberland estate

World news | The Guardian

By: Mark Brown North of England correspondent

30 October 2026 at 08:00

About 25,000 members of public chip in £17m towards 3,800-hectare Rothbury estate, described as ‘once-in-a-generation opportunity’

One of the most ambitious nature recovery projects ever undertaken in England can go ahead after campaigners announced they had raised £30m to buy an estate in Northumberland.

The Wildlife Trusts’ bid to buy the Rothbury estate, an area the size of Athens, had been championed by David Attenborough who on Friday thanked the public for their help.

Wildlife Trusts hit £30m target to buy and rewild huge Northumberland estate

The Guardian

By: Mark Brown North of England correspondent

30 October 2026 at 08:00

About 25,000 members of public chip in £17m towards 3,800-hectare Rothbury estate, described as ‘once-in-a-generation opportunity’

One of the most ambitious nature recovery projects ever undertaken in England can go ahead after campaigners announced they had raised £30m to buy an estate in Northumberland.

The Wildlife Trusts’ bid to buy the Rothbury estate, an area the size of Athens, had been championed by David Attenborough who on Friday thanked the public for their help.

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