National Geographic Society

A new report offers a critical look at the preservation of Cambodia's Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The study, the first locally-led climate risk assessment for Angkor, outlines several threats to the site — including rising temperatures, dry season droughts and erratic rainfall — and outlines a resilience strategy that pairs modern technology with traditional knowledge to advance climate action. The report, "Climate Risk and Resilience in Angkor," serves as a foundational guide for developing site-specific adaptation plans to protect both the cultural treasures and the livelihoods of resident communities. It was developed by Preserving Legacies, an organization led by #NatGeoExplorer Victoria Herrmann. “The climate risk assessment at Angkor demonstrates what's possible when we combine scientific data with local wisdom,” shares Ian Miller, the Society’s chief science and innovation officer. “By supporting Preserving Legacies, the National Geographic Society invests in community-led innovation that provides heritage stewards with essential tools to build resilience, bridging the gap between historical preservation and climate adaptation.” Photos by Elizabeth Carpio, Preserving Legacies

The National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project's (NGOWP) is currently undertaking its 16th annual crossing of the Okavango Delta in Botswana. This yearly transect collects critical baseline data on biodiversity, human impacts, hydrology and ecosystem health. "The rainfall this year in the Okavango Delta was above average and so was the flood recorded in detail by our network of hydrological and meteorological monitoring stations spread across the river basin," shares #NatGeoExplorer Dr. Steve Boyes, founder of NGOWP. Supported by #OkavangoEternal, a 10-year partnership between De Beers Group and the National Geographic Society, NGOWP has been surveying and collecting scientific data on the river system and working with local communities; NGOs; and the governments of Angola, Namibia and Botswana to secure permanent, sustainable protection for the greater Okavango Basin. Photos by Laone Chombo (1-3) and Letso Leipego (4)

A new study by Project CETI (Cetacean Translation Initiative) scientists, including #NatGeoExplorers David Gruber (Founder and CEO) and Shane Gero (Field Biology Lead), reveals that when ships are nearby, sperm whales change their calls. In the presence of ships, the researchers also had a harder time deciphering the codas, leading them to theorize whales might struggle to hear each other, too. “Are they talking about the boats, or is this more of an impact of the ship noise that they're changing their communication?” Gruber asks. More on these findings from National Geographic: https://lnkd.in/eTUtMmAZ. Figure by Alex Boersma/Project CETI, a nonprofit organization and a collaboration with the National Geographic Society

Majestic whales, weaving penguins, playful sea lions and glowing bioluminescent animals. ✨ Inspired by the work of #NatGeoExplorers, Wonders of Our World: Ocean is a multisensory journey capturing the beauty, mystery and power of the sea — sparking awe, curiosity and a deeper connection to Earth’s oceans. Discover the immersive experience at the National Geographic Museum of Exploration in Washington, D.C. Get tickets: https://lnkd.in/ew-fYTcz.

Antarctic krill are a foundational species that allows the entire structure of the Southern Ocean ecosystem to flourish. Marine ecologist and #NatGeoExplorer Kim Bernard has been studying krill for 15 years. Her research and discoveries about their habitat on the seafloor can inform future measures to protect this crustacean. In addition to sequestering carbon, krill form the base of the food web, supporting whales, penguins, seals and fish. This work was conducted in the Southern Ocean aboard the R/V Falkor (too) in collaboration with Schmidt Ocean Institute as part of the National Geographic and ROLEX #PerpetualPlanet Ocean Expeditions.

Join us in celebrating today’s 20th anniversary of the National Geographic #PhotoArk! For two decades, #NatGeoExplorer and Photo Ark founder Joel Sartore Photography has been on a monumental mission to document all species living in the world’s zoos, aquariums and wildlife sanctuaries, inspire action through education and help protect wildlife by supporting on-the-ground conservation efforts. Photography has the unique power to connect us to stories we might never otherwise see. By photographing animals against plain black and white backgrounds, Sartore eliminates distractions and scale — making a tiny red handfish the same size, and therefore equally important, as a lion. With 18,000 species now documented, the Photo Ark is a powerful reminder of biodiversity, vulnerability and the incredible beauty of our planet's wildlife.

18,000 species and counting: The red handfish (Thymichthys politus) has just joined the National Geographic Photo Ark as its next milestone species! Measuring around 6 centimeters long, this fish gets its name from its unique way of getting around: using fins as “hands” to walk along the ocean floor. A type of anglerfish, the red handfish is considered one of the rarest fish on Earth. Found in only small reef patches in southeastern Tasmania, the entire wild population is estimated to be fewer than 250 adults. This species was documented by #NatGeoExplorer and #PhotoArk founder Joel Sartore Photography in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Photo Ark uses the power of photography to inspire people to learn about the captivating lives and remarkable behaviors of weird and wonderful wildlife — and to take action to safeguard them from growing threats.

The ocean is full of extraordinary collaborations — like the remarkable hunting relationship between octopuses and reef fish! 🐠 🐙 A team of #NatGeoExplorers and scientists, including Dr Alex Schnell, Pietro Amodio, and Eduardo Sampaio are studying this behavior in an inventive way: using a human-controlled robotic fish as an artificial hunting partner to observe how these species cooperate in the wild. Their research aims to better understand the cognitive and communication mechanisms that make this sophisticated partnership possible. ✨ Projects like Ocean ROBOCTO reflect the National Geographic Society commitment to advancing knowledge through bold exploration, innovative ideas and a collaborative spirit. Each new approach holds the potential to reveal important insights and deepen our appreciation of the natural world. Each new discovery strengthens our efforts to protect the ecosystems and species that sustain life on our planet. Our Explorers know that sometimes a new perspective is needed to uncover the mysteries of our living world. Maybe the key to unlocking marine species cognition can be found in the point of view of a robot fish. �� 📸: Shireen Rahimi

The mangroves at the mouth of the Gambia River are currently understudied, leaving knowledge gaps about what needs to be done to safeguard them from sea level rise and increasing salinity that is jeopardizing local food security. Mangrove forests provide natural solutions to these challenges by acting as breakers against flooding and reducing saltwater influx into freshwater systems. #NatGeoExplorer Maiyai Taal Hocheimy, along with a group of fellow Explorers and scientists, is working to address this gap. Through a series of expeditions, the team is gathering environmental and biodiversity data across this mangrove ecosystem to support long-term conservation, sustainable development and climate resilience strategies. They are also mapping coastal evolution using satellite imagery with the goal of tracking shoreline change, surface elevation and mangrove canopy health. This effort is part of the National Geographic and ROLEX #PerpetualPlanet Ocean Expeditions.

Just released! In a new study published this week scientists have identified a previously unknown species of African monkey — one of the rarest discoveries in modern primatology. The elusive Likweli is found in the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo, distinguished by its small size, unique vocalizations and a striking orange-cream patch around its mouth. An international team, including #NatGeoExplorer and Congolese researcher Junior Amboko, published findings detailing the genetic, anatomical and acoustic analyses that confirms the monkey represents a distinct evolutionary lineage that diverged from its closest known relative 4 to 5 million years ago. "This discovery is both exciting and deeply personal, highlighting the extraordinary biodiversity of my homeland and how much remains undocumented,” shares Amboko. Photo by Daniel Rosengren/Frankfurt Zoological Society