Experts stunned by gut-wrenching discovery fueled by social media sensation: 'They collect [them] like stamps'
Experts dedicated to protecting rare gecko species have expressed alarm at seeing the animals featured on social media, fearing that their popularity will lead to more illegal poaching, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.
For thousands of years, geckos thrived on the remote island chain of New Caledonia in the Southwest Pacific. Over time, several new gecko species developed that only can be found there, according to the ABC.
Many of these species feature unique coloring and other features that have made them popular online. However, experts working to preserve these rare species fear that their newfound popularity will put even more pressure on the at-risk animals.
"For some species … if there's a few years of animals being collected commercially, that might be too much," warned Villanova University's Aaron Bauer, an expert on New Caledonian geckos, per the ABC. "The populations might not be able to stand that."
Conservationists in New Caledonian have watched in dismay as endangered or threatened species have been paraded online, knowing that those animals are the offspring of geckos stolen from their forests and illegally transported abroad.
"They collect these geckos like stamps," Oriane Lallemand, head keeper at the Zoological and Forest Park in Nouméa, told the ABC.
While some may question why it matters whether a few rare gecko species go extinct on a remote island chain in the Southwest Pacific, maintaining global biodiversity is essential to our survival as humans.
"There are lots of ways that humans depend upon biodiversity, and it is vital for us to conserve it," according to The Royal Society, a fellowship of scientists. "Pollinators such as birds, bees and other insects are estimated to be responsible for a third of the world's crop production."
Further, invertebrates and microbes maintain healthy soil for crops, and "life from the oceans provides the main source of animal protein for many people," per The Royal Society.
Beyond the food supply, biodiversity also provides ecosystem services such as water and air cleaning while mitigating flooding, according to UNICEF.
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Worldwide, conservationists are working to maintain and restore Earth's precious biodiversity. Despite these efforts, many experts believe the planet is going through just its sixth mass extinction event, with this one being caused by human activity.
"The current rate of extinction is between 100 and 1,000 times higher than the pre-human background rate of extinction, which is jaw-dropping," said Katie Collins of the U.K. Natural History Museum. "We are definitely going through a sixth mass extinction."
Though the situation is dire, we all can do our part to maintain and restore biodiversity in our communities. Rewilding your yard or planting a native lawn can create a habitat for pollinators and other essential species and even save you money on your water bill.
Don't have a yard? Try joining a community garden or putting just a few pollinator-friendly plants on your balcony to help make a difference.
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
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Yahoo
9 hours ago
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Experts stunned by gut-wrenching discovery fueled by social media sensation: 'They collect [them] like stamps'
Experts dedicated to protecting rare gecko species have expressed alarm at seeing the animals featured on social media, fearing that their popularity will lead to more illegal poaching, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported. For thousands of years, geckos thrived on the remote island chain of New Caledonia in the Southwest Pacific. Over time, several new gecko species developed that only can be found there, according to the ABC. Many of these species feature unique coloring and other features that have made them popular online. However, experts working to preserve these rare species fear that their newfound popularity will put even more pressure on the at-risk animals. "For some species … if there's a few years of animals being collected commercially, that might be too much," warned Villanova University's Aaron Bauer, an expert on New Caledonian geckos, per the ABC. "The populations might not be able to stand that." Conservationists in New Caledonian have watched in dismay as endangered or threatened species have been paraded online, knowing that those animals are the offspring of geckos stolen from their forests and illegally transported abroad. "They collect these geckos like stamps," Oriane Lallemand, head keeper at the Zoological and Forest Park in Nouméa, told the ABC. While some may question why it matters whether a few rare gecko species go extinct on a remote island chain in the Southwest Pacific, maintaining global biodiversity is essential to our survival as humans. "There are lots of ways that humans depend upon biodiversity, and it is vital for us to conserve it," according to The Royal Society, a fellowship of scientists. "Pollinators such as birds, bees and other insects are estimated to be responsible for a third of the world's crop production." Further, invertebrates and microbes maintain healthy soil for crops, and "life from the oceans provides the main source of animal protein for many people," per The Royal Society. Beyond the food supply, biodiversity also provides ecosystem services such as water and air cleaning while mitigating flooding, according to UNICEF. Do you think America has a plastic waste problem? Definitely Only in some areas Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Worldwide, conservationists are working to maintain and restore Earth's precious biodiversity. Despite these efforts, many experts believe the planet is going through just its sixth mass extinction event, with this one being caused by human activity. "The current rate of extinction is between 100 and 1,000 times higher than the pre-human background rate of extinction, which is jaw-dropping," said Katie Collins of the U.K. Natural History Museum. "We are definitely going through a sixth mass extinction." Though the situation is dire, we all can do our part to maintain and restore biodiversity in our communities. Rewilding your yard or planting a native lawn can create a habitat for pollinators and other essential species and even save you money on your water bill. Don't have a yard? Try joining a community garden or putting just a few pollinator-friendly plants on your balcony to help make a difference. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Business Upturn
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American Botanical Council Acquires Full Rights to Steven Foster Photo Library
Austin, Texas, June 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The nonprofit American Botanical Council (ABC) announces that it has obtained ownership rights to the entire collection of medicinal and aromatic plant photographs taken by the late botanist, author, and preeminent photographer Steven Foster (1957–2022). Foster was well-known and widely respected as the author or co-author of 21 books on herbs and medicinal plants. He also wrote more than 800 articles and reviews on herbal medicine, ethnobotany, sustainable sourcing, conservation, and related subjects, including more than 100 articles and reviews in ABC's peer-reviewed journal HerbalGram. His extensive photographic library includes more than 150,000 images of more than 1,700 accurately identified medicinal and aromatic plant species. 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After Foster's untimely death in January 2022, ABC continued to have access to and permission to use his photos in a variety of ABC publications and communications through a special arrangement with his estate. ABC continued to feature his photos on ABC's website, in publications of the ABC-AHP-NCNPR Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program (BAPP), and in HerbalGram , ABC's monthly newsletter HerbalEGram, ABC's weekly newsletter Herbal News & Events, and other ABC publications. Now, ABC has finalized the purchase of Foster's entire digital photo library, including full rights to all of the images. Credits to Foster's photographs will now read: 'Photo by Steven Foster ©2025 ABC.' 'For more than 40 years, Steven was a close personal friend and colleague and a primary contributor to ABC's nonprofit research and educational mission, publications, and programs,' said ABC Founder and Executive Director Mark Blumenthal. 'Steven's intelligence, botanical knowledge, insightful and deeply informed writing, and his compelling photography were an integral part of the development and evolution of HerbalGram and ABC. 'It has been ABC's goal not only to provide authoritative, reliable, science-based information on herbs and medicinal plants, but also to show the beauty of these plants, which we have done for decades thanks in large part to Steven's incredibly beautiful photos,' Blumenthal added. 'Now, ABC has the opportunity to continue its nonprofit educational mission with Steven's photos and to help expand the herb community and general public's awareness of and appreciation for Steven's remarkable photographic legacy. ABC Art Director Matt Magruder said: 'Securing the ownership of Steven Foster's photography library is an exciting new chapter for HerbalGram and all of ABC's various programs and publications. Steven's photography has been a foundational — and visually stunning — part of the organization from early on. As a fellow photographer, I am grateful to be able to honor Steven and to continue to share his quintessential photographic legacy through ABC's stewardship moving forward.' Michael J. Balick, PhD, member of ABC's Board of Trustees and vice president for botanical science, director and senior philecology curator of the Institute of Economic Botany at the New York Botanical Garden, said: 'I was delighted to learn that ABC has acquired the Steven Foster Photo Library. Steven's 'plant's eye view' was nothing short of extraordinary, and this is reflected in all of the artistic and scientific work that he did over so many decades. He was enthusiastic and generous about sharing his talents as a photographer and providing his guidance to anyone who asked for his advice, regardless of their level of botanical sophistication. 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Yahoo
3 days ago
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American Botanical Council Acquires Full Rights to Steven Foster Photo Library
The nonprofit now owns more than 150,000 images of 1,700+ species of medicinal and aromatic plants taken by famed photographer and herbal expert Echinacea Purpurea Passiflora Incarnata Austin, Texas, June 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The nonprofit American Botanical Council (ABC) announces that it has obtained ownership rights to the entire collection of medicinal and aromatic plant photographs taken by the late botanist, author, and preeminent photographer Steven Foster (1957–2022).Foster was well-known and widely respected as the author or co-author of 21 books on herbs and medicinal plants. He also wrote more than 800 articles and reviews on herbal medicine, ethnobotany, sustainable sourcing, conservation, and related subjects, including more than 100 articles and reviews in ABC's peer-reviewed journal HerbalGram. His extensive photographic library includes more than 150,000 images of more than 1,700 accurately identified medicinal and aromatic plant species. 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After Foster's untimely death in January 2022, ABC continued to have access to and permission to use his photos in a variety of ABC publications and communications through a special arrangement with his estate. ABC continued to feature his photos on ABC's website, in publications of the ABC-AHP-NCNPR Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program (BAPP), and in HerbalGram, ABC's monthly newsletter HerbalEGram, ABC's weekly newsletter Herbal News & Events, and other ABC publications. Now, ABC has finalized the purchase of Foster's entire digital photo library, including full rights to all of the images. Credits to Foster's photographs will now read: 'Photo by Steven Foster ©2025 ABC.' 'For more than 40 years, Steven was a close personal friend and colleague and a primary contributor to ABC's nonprofit research and educational mission, publications, and programs,' said ABC Founder and Executive Director Mark Blumenthal. 'Steven's intelligence, botanical knowledge, insightful and deeply informed writing, and his compelling photography were an integral part of the development and evolution of HerbalGram and ABC. 'It has been ABC's goal not only to provide authoritative, reliable, science-based information on herbs and medicinal plants, but also to show the beauty of these plants, which we have done for decades thanks in large part to Steven's incredibly beautiful photos,' Blumenthal added. 'Now, ABC has the opportunity to continue its nonprofit educational mission with Steven's photos and to help expand the herb community and general public's awareness of and appreciation for Steven's remarkable photographic legacy. ABC Art Director Matt Magruder said: 'Securing the ownership of Steven Foster's photography library is an exciting new chapter for HerbalGram and all of ABC's various programs and publications. Steven's photography has been a foundational — and visually stunning — part of the organization from early on. As a fellow photographer, I am grateful to be able to honor Steven and to continue to share his quintessential photographic legacy through ABC's stewardship moving forward.' Michael J. Balick, PhD, member of ABC's Board of Trustees and vice president for botanical science, director and senior philecology curator of the Institute of Economic Botany at the New York Botanical Garden, said: 'I was delighted to learn that ABC has acquired the Steven Foster Photo Library. Steven's 'plant's eye view' was nothing short of extraordinary, and this is reflected in all of the artistic and scientific work that he did over so many decades. He was enthusiastic and generous about sharing his talents as a photographer and providing his guidance to anyone who asked for his advice, regardless of their level of botanical sophistication. When I invited him to illustrate the third edition of the Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants [Springer, 2017], he provided his best work, and the photos that grace the pages of this reference book are not only useful for identification in cases of suspected poisoning, but also works of beautifully composed botanical art. We all miss Steven, who left us prematurely, and I am grateful to ABC and its donors for ensuring that this part of his legacy will endure, educating and captivating us all for many more decades.' Blumenthal noted that, at a time when people are beginning to use artificial intelligence as a source for botanical images, one primary benefit of Foster's photographs is the reliable and accurate identification of the depicted plant species. As an expert botanist, Foster properly identified the botanicals in his photos. Aside from the beauty of the photos, this benefit is a key feature of ABC's Steven Foster Photo Library. ABC featured a memorial tribute to Steven Foster in HerbalGram issue 133 and a pictorial of some of his medicinal plant photography in issue 134. A new pictorial of Foster's brilliant medicinal plant photos was just published in the current issue of HerbalGram, issue 143. In addition, ABC has named its newest award for botanical excellence after Foster, the ABC Steven Foster Excellence in Botanical Conservation and Sustainability Award, which is announced each spring at the annual ABC Celebration at Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim. Attachments Echinacea Purpurea Passiflora Incarnata CONTACT: Public Relations American Botanical Council 512-926-4900 ext. 129 publicrelations@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
