Wildlife Extra - World Wildlife

Recent South America news

More South America news

A close encounter with the Antpittas of Ecuador.

Mercedes Rivadeneira has visits an extraordinary farmer in Ecuador. Most people are luck if they even hear a Giant Antpitta, let alone feed one by hand!

Alaotra grebe declared extinct and 12.5% of bird species declared endangered

Millions of sea turtles are killed as ‘collateral damage’ in the race for fish

Millions of sea turtles have become the unintended victims of a failure to properly manage the worlds' fisheries, with more and more of their habitats clogged with hooks and nets.

New population of a rare and endangered Long-Whiskered owlet found in Peru

The Long whiskered owlet, one of the rarest birds in the world, has been filmed and photographed in January 2010 in the Neotropical Primate Conservation (NPC) main research area, La Esperanza, in Peru.

Major study of day-flying moths finds 64 new species & 7 new genera

This major revision of the Dioptinae is the first systematic look at this group in almost a century. After studying over 16,700 specimens housed at 38 different institutions and private collections around the world, James Miller discovered and described 64 new species and seven new genera, bringing the total to 456 species in 43 genera.

Lonesome George tries again – 5 eggs laid

The romantically named Female No. 107, who shares a corral with Lonesome George, has returned to nest again this year.

Pygmy frog discovered in Peru – Lays just 2 eggs

European and Peruvian herpetologists have discovered the smallest frog yet known from the Andes, and one of the smallest amphibians known anywhere in the world.

Is this the largest invasive species in the world? Hippos in Colombia

Pablo Escobar, the notorious drugs lord, had so much money that he didn't know what to do with it. Amongst other things (A bullring, an airstrip, a concrete Jurassic Park.), he stocked part of his huge estate with hundreds of exotic animals, including elephants, camels, giraffes, ostriches and zebras. He created a lake for hippos and four were released into the lake.

A new species of land iguana found in the Galapagos

A species of pink land iguana overlooked by Charles Darwin during his visits to the Galápagos Islands may provide evidence of the ancient animal's diversification in the archipelago.

50% of world's primates endangered

The world's monkeys, apes and other primates are disappearing from the world's forests faster than ever

Lonesome George about to become a father after 36 year wait

After years of showing no interest in the opposite sex, Lonesome George appears to have made the first tentative steps to becoming a dad as one of his companion females has laid several eggs.

Another new bird species from Colombia

Another new bird has been discovered in the Serranía de los Yariguíes mountains in Colombia, a subspecies of the Pale-bellied Tapaculo.

New species of bird discovered in Colombia.

The Yariguies Brush-Finch was found in a remote mountain range by and Anglo - Colombian team, it is notable for it's striking colouration.

Scientists discover new species of cloud-forest rodent

A new species of Spiny rat has been found in Peru. Found high in the Andes, it is a new member of a South American family of mammals.

Two new lizards discovered in Brazil

JANUARY 2007. Two new species of lizard found in Brazil were described in the latest issue of the South American Journal of Herpetology.

Stunning new hummingbird species discovered in Colombia

A stunning new species of hummingbird has been discovered in Colombia, but it needs urgent protection.

New species of butterfly discovered in Colombia

Dec 07. A new species of butterfly has been discovered in the Yariguies Highlands of Colombia by scientists from the Natural History Museum.

Caatinga Woodpecker rediscovered in Brazil after an 80 year absence.

The Caatinga woodpecker, only known from a single 1926 specimen, has been rediscovered in Brazil.

Bolivian River Dolphin declared new species

The Bolivian river dolphin, known locally as the as bufeo, has been acknowledged by the scientific community as a new endemic species for Bolivia.

Dwarf woodpecker and legless lizard among 14 new species discovered in Cerrado region of Brazil

April 2008. An expedition to a remote region of Brazil has lead to the discovery of a legless lizard and a tiny woodpecker along with 12 other suspected new species in Brazil.

New Bird Species Recognised in Colombia, May Already be Extinct

A new bird species, the Antioquia Brush-Finch or Atlapetes blancae – has been described as a result of studies supported by Fundación ProAves in Colombia.