How Florida's Planned Coral 'Baby Boom' Will Help Fortify Its Coastal Reef System

Florida's coral reefs are getting a much-needed boost thanks to researchers who have successfully initiated a "baby boom" of corals. This effort aims to rejuvenate the reefs along Florida's coastlines, which suffered significant damage due to record ocean warming. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has stepped up, funding the cultivation of 5,000 juvenile corals over the next two years. They’re also supporting the production of hundreds of thousands of coral larvae as part of its Coral Reef Restoration and Recovery Initiative (FCR3), according to Keri O'Neil, director of the coral conservation program at The Florida Aquarium. In 2023, an intense marine heatwave led to bleaching events that left many of Florida’s reefs in dire straits. A study conducted a year later painted a grim picture for some species. Staghorn coral saw survival rates drop below 22 percent, and about 90 percent of elkhorn coral was lost in 2023, O'Neil explained. "The summer of 2023 was especially devastating for corals in the state of Florida," O'Neil noted, highlighting how these once-common species took a severe hit. Interestingly, brain corals grown at The Florida Aquarium showed resilience during the 2023 bleaching event. "We still don't know exactly why that is," said O'Neil. She speculated it might be because they are young or had less time in the ocean compared to other corals. The Coral Reef Restoration and Recovery Initiative has set an ambitious goal: rebuilding 25 percent of Florida's lost corals. A key focus is breeding coral species that can better withstand future heatwaves. "Can we breed corals that can withstand higher temperatures? We're just really starting to scratch the surface on that," said O'Neil. This approach involves techniques long used in agriculture for selectively breeding more resilient species. Coral parents were rescued from natural reefs to shield them from stony coral tissue loss disease, which first appeared off Florida's coasts in 2014 and has since spread throughout the Caribbean. At The Florida Aquarium, scientists maintain tanks with environmental cues that signal adult corals when it's time to reproduce. They create tiny larvae and allow them to grow on small tiles or pieces of rock before transferring them back into ocean waters off Southeast Florida and the Keys using substances like epoxy or cement. There are currently too few corals left in Florida for natural reproduction due to distance between potential parent colonies. "This is where we come in and focus on spawning them in our laboratory," O'Neil stated. These new juvenile corals serve as a lifeline for Florida's reef system. They will support restoration efforts across key areas such as the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve.

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This Amateur Runner Just Set a New Women's World Record in Just Her Second Race

Sarah Webster wasn’t even sure she’d make it to the finish line. But 24 hours, 278 kilometres, and one shattered world record later, the 46-year-old amateur runner from East Sussex now holds the title of women’s 24-hour world champion. Webster, who lives in Rottingdean and works as a veterinarian, ran 173 miles (278 km) at the IAU 24-Hour World Championships in Albi, France, on Saturday—beating the previous women’s world record of 168 miles (270 km). She was one of three women in the race to surpass the old record, but she went the farthest. “Part of me wanted to stop as soon as I got the record,” she said, “but I knew if I stopped the Australian and the Japanese girls were behind me… and they could overtake me.” This was only her second-ever attempt at a 24-hour race. Her first? Earlier this year, when she won the UK championships in Crawley after running 243 km. Speaking on her way home from France, Webster said the race didn’t start off smoothly. “The first four hours was probably hardest,” she said. “Mentally getting into it, thinking ‘this hurts’ and I’ve got another 20 hours to run, and this is not good.” But things turned around. “Then you get into your pace a bit more, get some food on board, and then the night goes quite quickly,” she said. What carried her through the final stretch wasn’t adrenaline—it was sheer determination. “The last four hours was really hard… but at that point I knew I was potentially on for records and I couldn’t give up then.” Webster juggled her training around a full-time job as a vet, often turning to running as an outlet for stress. “I love being out when life’s busy, when you’re stressed, just get out on the hills, the road, and just run,” she said. “The problems are still there when you get back, but you just enjoy it. The miles just come, and I’ve just built them up persistently over the years.” Despite joking before the race that she might retire if she broke the record, she’s not ready to hang up her shoes just yet. “Definitely not retiring from running,” she said. “But it’s whether I’ll do another 24-hour race.” With two wins in two attempts, including a world title, it’s fair to say she’s already left her mark.

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Cafe Owner Introduces 'Phone Jail' To Encourage Conversation

At the Chaii Stop café, the vibe is simple: ditch your phone, grab a cup and have a real conversation. Customers who agree to lock their mobile devices in a small “phone jail” during their visit get 20% off their bill—a reward for being present in the moment. The idea comes from café owner Usman Hussain, who says he just wanted to bring back the kind of energy that made cafes feel social in the first place. “The response has been amazing,” said Usman. “People are laughing, challenging their friends and even filming the moment before they lock the phone away.” The offer is available at Chaii Stop’s location in Preston, England. Hussain said he was inspired by a simple observation: watching people sit together, but still buried in their screens. “I’d just look around and see groups of families, friends, all sitting together, but every single person staring at their phone,” he said. “So we thought: how can we get everyone to connect again?” The café, he says, was built “for conversations, connections and good vibes,” and the phone jail has quickly become a talking point—ironically, even before the phones go in. In just a few days, the idea has already sparked reactions from students, families, and couples, who’ve said it helped make their conversations feel “more real.” Visitor Mariam, who often comes to the café with her husband for breakfast, said the challenge is real. “We will have to think of something to talk about that isn’t about our kids!” she joked. “One of us is often on the phone so the other usually ends up doing the same.” Farzana Jamidar said she liked the idea because “it’s the only 10-minute break you get on your own, where you can actually think.” She added, “In that 10 minutes, I’ve probably got 10 missed calls.” Raheela Hussain agreed. “Putting it away for that time out is absolutely amazing,” she said. “When we were growing up there were no phones, no wi-fi, nothing, so it brings you back to that time.” This isn’t the first time Usman Hussain has turned to creative pricing to promote kindness and connection. Three years ago, he made headlines for charging customers different prices based on how politely they placed their order. “Politeness goes a long way,” he said. Now, with the phone jail, he’s hoping to keep pushing the idea that cafés should be for people, not notifications. The only buzz he wants is from conversation.

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Mom Delivers Nearly 13-Pound Baby, Marking Largest Birth at Nashville Hospital in Years

Shelby Martin had everything planned for her fourth child’s birth. A vaginal delivery. Skin-to-skin contact. Delayed cord clamping. But at 36 weeks, those plans were replaced with something she didn’t expect: a nearly 13-pound baby, delivered by emergency C-section, who would spend his first days in the NICU—and become a local celebrity in the process. On July 29, Martin gave birth to her son, Cassian, at TriStar Centennial Women’s Hospital in Nashville. Weighing in at 12 pounds and 14 ounces, he became the largest baby born at the hospital in the last three years. “We had a heads up that he was going to be big, but I would have never guessed almost 13 pounds,” Martin told People. “Looking back on bump pictures, I probably should have known.” Doctors had warned her there was a real risk of the baby getting stuck during delivery. “That changed everything,” she said. “I knew the safest choice was a C-section, and thankfully, I had an amazing OBGYN and care team at TriStar Centennial who I trusted completely.” Although the C-section wasn’t part of her original plan, Martin says she quickly came to peace with it. “Sure, I grieved the loss of my ‘perfect birth plan,’ but looking back, I’m just so grateful.” She wasn’t the only one in awe. The moment Cassian was born, Martin says the energy in the room shifted. “Everyone was amazed by his size! He made such a big impression that nurses and doctors from all over the hospital came by the NICU just to meet him,” she said. “He quickly became a little celebrity during his stay.” What Martin didn’t anticipate was having to leave the hospital without him. Although Cassian was born early—before 40 weeks—his size suggested otherwise. But his lungs were underdeveloped and his glucose levels unstable, so he was admitted to the NICU immediately after birth. “This was my first NICU experience, so having to ask permission to hold him and seeing him attached to tubes and monitors was all so new to me,” she said. “Coming home without him was the hardest part of it all.” Cassian spent 10 days in the NICU before being released. In that time, the family leaned heavily on the support and care provided by hospital staff. “Every time we visited, someone from the care team was already snuggling him,” Martin said. “They truly adored him, and as a first-time NICU mom, that meant everything to me.” But the timing of Cassian’s birth carried emotional weight for another reason. He arrived exactly one year after Martin experienced a pregnancy loss—on her birthday. “We woke up so excited to see our baby. It was my 29th birthday,” she recalled of that day a year earlier. “When we were told that there was no longer a heartbeat, my entire world lost color.” This year, on her 30th birthday, that color came back. “He truly is the brightest rainbow we had been dreaming of,” Martin said. “Of course, we still mourn our angel we lost, but being able to get him Earthside has filled something in all of us.” Cassian is now home and thriving, surrounded by his three older brothers—Elijah, 9, Waylon, 8, and Jonah, 7—who Martin says are “obsessed” with their new sibling. “He truly fits right in,” she said. “He was our missing link.” With fall arriving, Martin says she’s especially looking forward to the simple joys of the season. “His first pumpkin patch and Halloween,” she said. “He really enjoys being outside.” For this Tennessee family, life didn’t go as planned. But in the end, it delivered something even more meaningful.

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This Bionic Knee Is Restoring Natural Movement For Patients

Researchers at MIT have developed a next-generation bionic knee that could dramatically improve mobility for people with above-the-knee amputations. The device connects directly to both muscle and bone, allowing users to walk faster, climb stairs more easily, and move in ways that feel more natural than with traditional prosthetics. Unlike conventional prosthetic limbs, which attach to the body using a socket and can cause discomfort or limit mobility, the new system integrates a titanium rod directly into the femur. It also taps into neural signals from the muscles that remain after an amputation. Hugh Herr, SM ’93, co-director of the K. Lisa Yang Center for Bionics at MIT, has spent years developing methods to extract and use these signals to guide prosthetic limbs. The approach is called the agonist-antagonist myoneuronal interface, or AMI. It mimics the natural muscle dynamics of a biological limb, allowing for more intuitive movement. Previous research using AMI in people with below-the-knee amputations showed they could walk more smoothly and navigate obstacles with better control. This new study brings the same concept to above-the-knee amputations, which are typically more challenging to address due to the complexity of movement and load bearing in the upper leg. In the study, researchers implanted a titanium rod into the femur of two patients. The rod serves not only as a mechanical anchor, but also as a channel for 16 wires that gather data from electrodes inside the leg. These electrodes detect muscle activity from the AMI muscles, giving the bionic limb real-time information to adjust movement accordingly. Both participants in the clinical trial showed improved performance in tasks like walking, stair climbing, and obstacle avoidance. Just as significantly, they reported that the new limb felt more like an extension of their own body. “A prosthesis that’s tissue-integrated—anchored to the bone and directly controlled by the nervous system—is not merely a lifeless, separate device,” said Herr. “It’s an integral part of self.” That sense of connection is what sets this system apart. Traditional prosthetics often feel foreign to the user, and the socket-based attachment can cause pain or skin irritation. By rooting the prosthetic in both bone and neural tissue, the new design helps restore a more seamless experience of movement. The team is now preparing for larger clinical trials, which are required before the device can receive FDA approval and become commercially available. Herr estimates that process could take around five years. If successful, the technology could represent a major leap forward—not just in prosthetics, but in how we think about integrating machines with the human body.

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Rare Red Lightning Captures New Zealand Skies In Perfect Coincidence

Photographers capture extremely unusual phenomenon – also known as red sprites – against backdrop of the Milky Way A trio of photographers in New Zealand have captured images of “red sprites”, or red lightning, one of the rarest light phenomena in the world, in which luminous crimson flashes appear in the sky. New Zealand photographer Tom Rae and Spanish photographers Dan Zafra and José Cantabrana set out to shoot the Milky Way over the Ōmārama Clay cliffs in the South Island on 11 October, when they chanced upon the extraordinary event. The photographers thought they would be lucky to get clear skies that evening, but their night turned into “an unforgettable one”, Rae told the Guardian. Cantabrana suggested they might be treated to a display of red sprites, when he saw a storm brewing over the horizon, Rae said. “He was checking his files for a Milky Way panorama and discovered he had captured red sprites,” Rae said. “Dan and I just could not believe it – there was a whole bunch of screaming and shouting and all sorts going on in the dark.” Red sprites are bursts of electrical energy in the upper atmosphere, generated by thunderstorms. Unlike lightning that shoots towards the ground, red sprites shoot upwards towards the upper atmosphere, creating forms that look like columns, carrots or even jellyfish. The first photograph of a red sprite was taken – accidentally – in 1989, by a team at the University of Minnesota. They are so brief – lasting just a millisecond – that they are rarely visible to the naked eye, but Rae got lucky. “I happened to be looking directly at one when it happened – just a perfect coincidence looking at the right part of the sky and I saw a brief red flash,” he said. Witnessing the phenomena was a dream for Rae, an award-winning night scape photographer. “It looks like you’re seeing something that is not real, it’s very ethereal … it’s this very deep red colour that is there for a split second, so it’s really interesting to see.” Capturing a red sprite requires a mastery of technical photography, as well as an understanding of science and creative flare, Rae said. “It’s a really involved type of photography that’s very rewarding as well.” Zafra said it was one of the “most extraordinary nights” of his life. “I could see the Milky Way glowing above the horizon while these enormous red tendrils of light danced above a storm hundreds of kilometres away,” Zafra said. To his knowledge, there are no other images showing red sprites and the southern hemisphere Milky Way in one frame. “It was one of those moments when you know you’re witnessing something you’ll probably never see again.”

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Backyard Batting Cage Sends Neighborhood Students To College On Scholarships

In the heart of Minnetonka, Minnesota, a backyard batting cage has quietly established itself as a local legend. Originally constructed by Rick DesLauriers using netting and repurposed phone poles, this makeshift training ground has been the springboard for numerous young athletes to polish their baseball and softball skills. It's a place where the sound of a bat hitting a ball often serves as the neighborhood's morning alarm. Rick DesLauriers was known for his quirky ideas, but this one took off. "I've had a lot of crazy ideas; this one worked out well," Rick said about his creation. Despite being intended to keep balls from flying into neighboring yards, Rick's batting cage seemed to invite kids from all over. "Crazy spreads really fast," Rick smiled as he recalled how quickly the cage became a community hub. The impact of Rick's batting cage is evident in the success stories that have emerged. Griffin Powell frequented the cage almost daily throughout his youth and will soon head to college in Mankato on a baseball scholarship. Derek Branson, another regular, is now Minnetonka High School's baseball MVP and plans to play at Southwest Minnesota State University. Just next door, Luke Pettersen made headlines when he was named to the all-tournament team during the state baseball tournament as a junior. As Rick's neighbors noticed their children excelling in baseball, the batting cage gained a reputation for being much more than just an ordinary backyard feature. Andy Powell, father of Derek, noted, "It can't be a coincidence, can it? It's not all the same genetic pool. We're not related." To accommodate all these aspiring athletes, Rick even bought and reconfigured land around his property. He moved garage doors and altered driveways to make room for a ball field. Paul Pettersen explained that Rick expanded the cage by purchasing an adjacent home and keeping 9 meters of land specifically for batting practice. Rick's dedication also benefitted Elliot Powell, who earned a scholarship to Concordia University. Even Brittany Stewart, who lived across the street, leveraged her time in the batting cage into a softball scholarship at Winona State University. She ended her college career on a high note with a regional championship win with her team. Rick’s son Mike DesLauriers might be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the batting cage. He set state records in high school and went on to play college baseball at Gustavus University. Reflecting on alternate possibilities, Mike said, "My memory was this or a swimming pool." He seems pleased with how things turned out. Although Rick and Mary DesLauriers sold their home years ago, their legacy remains alive and well in Minnetonka. Ryan and Charlotte Wheeler now own the house and have kept the batting cage standing. Their sons have taken up baseball too, with Garrett Wheeler committing to New Mexico State University and Nathan playing at Southwest Minnesota State University. Meanwhile, AJ Pettersen returned to his old neighborhood; his sons Holden and Brody now use the batting cage that once shaped AJ’s own baseball journey through high school and into minor league play with the Minnesota Twins. Today, John DesLauriers follows in these footsteps, stepping into his Uncle Rick's batting cage with aspirations of achieving similar success. "Everybody that's older than me got great here," John says while practicing his swing. Though Rick didn't rebuild the batting cage at his new home, he did finally add that swimming pool he once considered — this time, for his grandchildren.

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Woman Plays Clarinet During Brain Surgery In Remarkable Medical Procedure

A remarkable moment unfolded at King's College Hospital when Denise Bacon, a 65-year-old woman from Crowborough, East Sussex, played her clarinet during a brain surgery procedure. Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2014, Bacon had faced difficulties in daily activities like walking and playing music. But during the operation, she experienced immediate improvements in her finger movements. Bacon underwent deep brain stimulation (DBS), a surgical technique that uses electrodes implanted in the brain to alleviate symptoms of disorders such as Parkinson's. The procedure was led by Professor Keyoumars Ashkan, a neurosurgeon at the hospital. While awake on the operating table for four hours, Bacon was given a local anesthetic to numb her scalp and skull. As soon as electrical currents were applied to her brain, she noticed an enhanced ability to move her fingers. "I remember my right hand being able to move with much more ease once the stimulation was applied," Bacon shared. This newfound dexterity allowed her to play the clarinet again after having stopped five years ago due to her symptoms. "I was delighted." The retired speech and language therapist expressed excitement about potentially returning to activities she once loved. "I'm already experiencing improvements in my ability to walk," she said. "I'm keen to get back into the swimming pool and on the dance floor." Professor Ashkan explained that small holes were made in Bacon's skull using precise coordinates guided by a frame placed on her head. This ensured accurate placement of the electrodes in the brain. "We were delighted to see an instant improvement in her hand movements," he remarked. This case highlights how DBS can offer hope for some patients struggling with Parkinson’s disease by improving their quality of life through medical innovation and expertise.

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High School Volleyball Team Gifts Beloved Janitor A New Car

At Rockwall High School in Nevada, Texas, the volleyball team has shown that kindness can indeed come full circle. When they discovered that their school janitor, Abel Rodriguez, didn’t have a car, they took action. The community quickly rallied around them. Rodriguez is well-known throughout the school for his positive attitude and unwavering support. He’s the guy who never misses a game and always greets players with a high five and a cheerful “good luck” before they hit the court. “He’s an amazing guy,” the volleyball team wrote on their GoFundMe page. “He’s known throughout the school to always have a smile on his face and a hug if you need it.” Upon learning about Rodriguez's transportation challenges, the students decided to help him out in a big way. They partnered with Rockwall Ford, aiming to raise enough funds to buy him a car and cover his insurance. In just days, donations poured in from all corners of the community. The team managed to raise over $9,000. Last Wednesday marked the culmination of their efforts when more than 100 students, teachers, and parents gathered outside with handmade signs, chanting Rodriguez's name. When Rodriguez stepped outside and saw his new car waiting for him, he was visibly moved by the surprise. It was clear that this gesture meant as much to those giving as it did to him receiving. “To know that we could help pull this all together and give it to him was such an amazing feeling,” said volleyball player Addee Kuenstler.

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Designer of Viral Upcycled Disney Dresses Lands 'Dancing with the Stars' Gig

Kelsey Swarthout, a designer who showcases her creations on Instagram under the handle "ropedropdesign," recently found herself in the television spotlight. Swarthout was asked by Danielle Fishel, a contestant on ABC's Dancing with the Stars, to create a Jungle Book-themed dress for a Disney-centric episode of the show. For Swarthout, this opportunity was a thrilling milestone. "It was just so cool to see it on TV," she shared with PEOPLE. Her followers echoed that excitement, recognizing her work instantly during the broadcast. "Almost the best part of everything was people who have followed me for a while or knew about my pieces were like, ‘I saw it and I immediately knew it was yours,’" said Swarthout. Swarthout’s journey as a designer began in middle school when sewing captured her interest as a hobby. Later, she pursued architecture in college and worked at an architectural firm before losing her job during the pandemic. It was then that she returned to sewing full-time. Her big break came unexpectedly from an eBay purchase of a vintage Mickey Mouse bedsheet. She initially crafted Mickey Mouse ears but found herself with leftover fabric. This led to her first dress creation, which gained significant attention after being posted on Instagram. These days, Swarthout has carved out a niche for herself in creating bright and whimsical clothing using vintage children’s bedsheets and blankets. Her Instagram page is filled with colorful designs inspired by Disney characters, showcasing dresses, bags, jackets, and more. When Fishel reached out via Instagram with her request for the DWTS dress, Swarthout faced a tight deadline of two weeks. Despite initial doubts due to timing and an impending trip, she accepted the challenge. Fishel provided measurements and selected design preferences based on Swarthout’s previous work. Upon returning from her trip, Swarthout got straight to work to ensure timely delivery. The collaboration didn’t end with just sending off the dress. After its delivery, Fishel invited Swarthout to visit Disneyland during filming. The designer recounted this experience saying it was incredible to see everything firsthand and even participate in an interview about the dress. Fishel's appreciation added another layer of satisfaction for Swarthout when she saw Fishel wear her creation live. "She just looked so good in it," said Swarthout regarding seeing her piece worn in person rather than through photos or tags online. Amidst all this excitement, Swarthout is gearing up for another significant project—her upcoming book Sew Nostalgic! The book offers guidance on upcycling bedsheets into wearable art through 12 unique patterns complete with step-by-step instructions. Although writing took considerable effort over 18 months, she looks forward to its release next February. With plans set around continuing her love for sewing and following this season of Dancing with the Stars closely (she admitted shedding tears over some episodes), Kelsey encourages fans: “Vote for Danielle — because she's the best.”

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Green Sea Turtles No Longer Endangered Species in Major Conservation Win

Green sea turtles, once considered at serious risk of extinction, are making a remarkable comeback. Their global conservation status has officially improved, moving from “endangered” to “least concern” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The announcement came earlier this month after the International Union for Conservation of Nature completed its latest species assessment in December 2024. The review found that green turtle populations have grown by around 28% since the 1970s, enough to warrant a change in their classification. It marks a major win for conservationists who have spent decades working to reverse the species' decline. “This is a powerful example of what coordinated global conservation over decades can achieve,” said Roderic Mast, Co-Chair of IUCN’s Species Survival Commission Marine Turtle Specialist Group. The species had seen a dramatic 48–67% population decline throughout the late 20th century, driven by threats such as habitat destruction, egg harvesting, commercial fishing, pollution, and climate change. But a broad range of conservation efforts helped shift that trajectory. These included protecting nesting beaches, regulating the harvest of turtles and their eggs, reducing illegal trade, and introducing Turtle Excluder Devices in fishing gear to reduce accidental capture. In many regions, community-based conservation programmes were crucial in limiting unsustainable harvest. The green sea turtle, the second largest of all sea turtle species, nests in more than 80 countries and inhabits coastal waters in over 140. Its wide range made protection efforts especially challenging — and especially urgent. Christine Madden, WWF’s Global Marine Turtle Conservation Lead, called the IUCN’s update “a major milestone globally” and “proof that coordinated action can reverse populations at risk of extinction.” Still, she warned, “It’s not a time to be complacent. Conservation efforts must continue for green turtle populations to continue to thrive and recover in areas where they remain threatened by fishing gear entanglement, overfishing and loss of habitats.” Some green turtle subpopulations remain at risk, including those in Hawaii and Costa Rica. According to the IUCN, their statuses could still change depending on future population trends. Despite those caveats, the green turtle’s recovery stands out as a rare positive development in a wider picture of global biodiversity decline. The IUCN’s latest Red List update paints a grim backdrop: 61% of bird species now have declining populations, up from 44% in 2016. Of more than 11,000 bird species assessed, 11.5% are threatened, largely due to habitat loss and deforestation. In the Arctic, which is warming four times faster than the global average, seals are edging closer to extinction due to the rapid loss of sea ice. The Red List now includes 172,620 species, of which 48,646 are threatened with extinction. Six more species were added to the Extinct category in the latest update, including the Christmas Island shrew and the migratory slender-billed curlew. Even as green turtles bounce back, the broader message is clear: most species are moving in the opposite direction, and human activities remain the primary driver. As the IUCN noted, the turtle’s success came despite “multiple, consistent, and in some cases increasing (e.g., climate change impacts) threats.” Which makes its recovery all the more impressive — and its continued protection all the more important.

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