Wildlife Conservancy

The 18 finalist images for the 2026 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards have been announced, showcasing animals caught in amusing poses and expressions. The shortlist, highlighted by Forbes, celebrates wildlife photographers who capture humorous moments in nature while raising attention to animal conservation. The overall winners are expected to be chosen from the finalists in the coming weeks.

A Grauer's gorilla that had been reintroduced to the wild has given birth in a national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to Mongabay. Conservationists celebrated the birth, with those involved saying the new arrival 'makes us happy'. The birth is being taken as an encouraging sign for efforts to restore Grauer's gorillas, a critically endangered species found only in eastern DR Congo, through reintroduction programmes.

Five caribou described as 'trailblazing' have returned to wilderness in Canada, according to a Popular Science report. The animals are being highlighted as a positive sign for caribou recovery in regions where herds have sharply declined due to habitat loss and industrial pressure. The story is drawing modest attention among wildlife and conservation readers.

Colorado transportation officials report that wildlife crossings and fencing installed along the I-25 South Gap corridor between Colorado Springs and the New Mexico line have reduced wildlife-vehicle collisions by 91%. The projects were built to protect migrating elk and deer herds that frequently crossed the busy highway. Local outlets are highlighting the figure as evidence the mitigation infrastructure is working, with drivers and conservation groups welcoming the safety results.

A remote wildlife camera in Guatemala has recorded what researchers are calling a once-in-a-decade snapshot, according to reports from Popular Science and other outlets. Details about which species was captured have not been widely shared, but the image is being hailed as a significant documentation of rare fauna in the region's forests.

A new feature puts a spotlight on Africa's remarkably diverse wildlife, covering iconic species such as lions, cheetahs and chimpanzees. The piece highlights the range of animals found across the continent's habitats and draws attention to their place in Africa's ecosystems. Readers are engaging with the familiar but enduringly popular subject of African megafauna and the conservation questions that surround it.

A new wildlife photograph credited to Tim Laman, the American ornithologist and National Geographic photographer known for his work documenting birds of paradise and rainforest species, is being shared among nature and photography enthusiasts. The image is tagged across nature, wildlife and photography communities, with viewers praising the composition and fieldcraft behind the shot.

A coastal golf course has been converted into a wetland habitat that now serves as a vital home for seabirds. The restoration project is being shared as a feel-good environmental story, highlighting how repurposing recreational land can support biodiversity and give declining seabird populations much-needed coastal space to feed and nest.

California has begun the first phase of a wildlife crossing for mountain lions at Joshua Tree National Park. The project aims to give the big cats a safe route across roads that cut through their habitat, reducing vehicle collisions and reconnecting separated populations. It adds to a growing effort in the state to protect wildlife with crossings over and under busy highways.

An announcement of good news in a matter involving the Trump administration's Interior Department and environmental law is drawing thanks to journalists. The post credits a free press with bringing the issue to light, suggesting the favourable outcome would not have happened without media coverage, and tags topics including wildlife, conservation, public lands and ecosystems.

A young tiger cub has been returned to the wild in India after being rescued. The release, highlighted by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, is being shared as a rare positive outcome for big cat conservation, as cubs separated from their mothers rarely survive to be reintroduced successfully.

A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel column argues that while a single artist wins the federal duck stamp contest, the whole public benefits from the program. Revenue from duck stamp sales funds wetland conservation and habitat protection, making the competition a win for wildlife, hunters, birders and conservationists alike, not just the top entry.

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources has released juvenile hellbenders back into the wild as part of efforts to restore the giant aquatic salamander in state waterways. Hellbenders, North America's largest salamanders, have declined sharply due to habitat loss and degraded streams. The release, reported by regional news, highlights ongoing state conservation work to rebuild populations of the vulnerable species.

An artist has shared a digital painting of a humpback whale, tagged with ocean and marine-life themes and a call to protect the oceans. The piece, drawn in Procreate and labelled as made without AI, is being circulated among wildlife art and conservation communities, where humpback whale imagery regularly draws attention for its beauty and its role in ocean protection campaigns.

The Wild About Blue fundraiser, an annual benefit supporting the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park, is scheduled for October 18. The event raises money for the preserve's conservation work, including habitat protection for the endangered Karner blue butterfly. Organizers are inviting community members to attend and support local wildlife efforts.

The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards has launched its 2026 edition, celebrating the funniest wildlife images captured around the world. The annual competition invites photographers to submit amusing shots of animals in candid moments, with winners helping raise awareness of conservation. coverage highlights standout images of animals behaving in comically human-like ways.

A conservation program in Indonesia's West Kalimantan province is paying villagers to photograph wildlife rather than hunt it. The KehatiKu initiative, run by Borneo Futures, involves more than 800 people across nine villages, turning former hunters into protectors of endangered species and offering an economic alternative to hunting in Borneo's forests.

Cisco is highlighting how technology innovation combined with human expertise is being used to protect endangered wildlife and natural treasures. The piece points to conservation efforts where digital tools support rangers, researchers and local communities in safeguarding species and habitats. It reflects a growing corporate push to pair connectivity and technical skills with on-the-ground environmental protection.

The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards have announced their 2026 finalist pictures, and the shortlist is delightfully absurd: a caiman wearing a wig, two brown bears that appear to be laughing, and a leopard doing a handstand. The annual competition celebrates funny animal photos while drawing attention to wildlife conservation, and the finalists are being shared widely as viewers pick their favourites.

Florida's conservation programme has placed 61,525 acres under protection, strengthening habitat connectivity across the state's larger 1.6-million-acre conservation landscape. The move links fragmented wildlife corridors, giving species like the Florida panther room to roam. It is being reported as a significant step for wildlife conservation in the region.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced the discovery of new populations of the Mojave poppy bee in the Mojave Desert region. The finding is significant for the species, which has faced steep declines tied to habitat loss. Wildlife advocates view it as a potentially important development for conservation planning in Nevada and the broader desert Southwest.

A new feature explores what it takes to photograph spirit bears, the rare white-furred black bears of Canada's Pacific coast. The piece details the patience, remote locations and fieldcraft needed to capture the animals in their natural habitat, describing them as elusive and hauntingly beautiful. Wildlife photographers and conservation-minded readers are sharing the story as interest in the species and its threatened rainforest home continues.

The Nature Conservancy is celebrating the signing of a landmark wildlife connectivity measure, describing it as a major step for conservation. The organisation says the new law will help protect and restore corridors that allow wildlife to move safely across landscapes, supporting healthier ecosystems and biodiversity. Supporters view it as a significant win for habitat protection efforts.

Hog Capital Wildlife Rescue has released two bald eagles following their rehabilitation. The birds were nursed back to health by the rescue organization before being returned to their natural habitat. The release is being welcomed as a positive conservation story, highlighting the role of wildlife rescues in protecting bald eagle populations.

India is being credited with one of the world's most notable wildlife recovery stories, saving its tigers along with lions, rhinos and elephants. The country's conservation programme, combining protected reserves, anti-poaching efforts and habitat management, has allowed populations of flagship species to rebound despite enormous population pressure. The story highlights how a developing country with over a billion people has managed to expand, rather than shrink, space for large wild animals.