Across China,
Species on the Brink

Four decades into an economic boom that had little regard for the environment, China is rethinking its relationship with nature. This series of articles, published to — roughly — coincide with a United Nations meeting on biodiversity held in the southwestern city of Kunming, looks at whether efforts to save China’s endangered animals can undo enough damage before it’s too late.

WRITERS | Yuan Ye, Ye Ruolin, and Cai Yiwen
ILLUSTRATOR | Wang Zhenhao
PHOTOGRAPHER | Wu Huiyuan

Oriental Stork

With wetlands in decline, endangered migratory birds are descending on aquaculture ponds instead. Farmers are furious.

Chinese Giant Salamander

New research begs the question: Are attempts to save the world’s largest amphibian harming more than helping?

Chinese White Dolphin

Coastal dolphins are facing a dire math problem: The smaller their group, the bigger their chance of dying out.

Across China, Species on the Brink

Oriental Stork

Chinese Giant Salamander

Chinese White Dolphin

Across China,
Species on the Brink