Wildlife Conservation

Doctors who treat eating disorders in Kansas City are seeing more cases among younger people. But resources for "accepting" treatments are not meeting the demand. Plus: Wildlife in the Midwest and Great Plains are suffering from persistent drought.

Scientists have uncovered surprisingly little about copperhead snakes, until now. A six-year study on copperheads at Powder Valley has gained new insight on their population size, how they move through their environment, and more.

A federal program kills hundreds of thousands of wild animals a year — like cowbirds in Missouri and prairie dogs in Kansas. Documents obtained by NPR show that many of those animals were killed in places where no damage to livestock was reported.

Conservationists and cattle ranchers are working together to restore grassland for the lesser prairie chicken. The bird used to roam Kansas, but has lost most of its habitat to crop production.

Since 1990, the St. Louis Zoo has played an instrumental role in bringing Tahitian snails back from the brink of extinction.

Alligator snapping turtles are the biggest freshwater turtle in North America, sporting jagged, pointy shells, and a hooked beak. But these prehistoric-looking creatures haven't been seen in Kansas since 1991.

The eagle has undergone three surgeries at the World Bird Sanctuary after being found shot in the beak in central Missouri. It also had an injured wing and lead poisoning.

Peanut is a notable example of how plastic pollution can harm wildlife — and how an individual animal’s story can be a powerful tool in promoting social change.

Frog gigging — hunting with a three-pronged spear — is a dying art that nevertheless draws thousands to Missouri marshes in search of a tasty treat with deep cultural roots.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced it would seek protections for the regal fritillary, a large non-migratory butterfly with orange and black markings. It's suffering from habitat loss in Missouri and Kansas because of development, pesticides and climate change.

Missouri Department of Conservation Director Jason Sumners says he's focused on better engaging with a community that is technologically more disconnected with nature.

The fur industry has a long history in the state of Missouri. While it looks different these days, it’s still around, and trappers at the annual Missouri fur auction want to make sure they're conserving the state's resources and traditions.