Good News Stories for Endangered Species Day 2026

This Endangered Species Day, we’re highlighting conservation successes and progress made toward the recovery of endangered species.

Endangered species face many threats, but thanks to protections under the Endangered Species Act, some are showing signs of recovery. For Endangered Species Day, we’re highlighting a few success stories.

By the Numbers: 2026 North Atlantic Right Whale Calving Season

Each fall through spring, North Atlantic right whales give birth in the shallow, coastal waters of the Southeast. This calving season, 23 calves were born—the highest number since 2009! Throughout the season, there were approximately 500 sightings of 129 right whales in the Southeast. Seeing such a large portion of the population in the calving grounds suggests reproductive health is improving, potentially moving the species toward more positive recovery trends.

Most Sea Turtles Rebounding Worldwide as Conservation Efforts Protect Nests and Habitat, Analysis Finds

Once significantly harmed by harvest and habitat loss, sea turtles have persevered with new protections and conservation efforts. Their populations are now rebounding even as ocean conditions change, a recent review found.

 “When I think of sea turtles, the first word that comes to mind is resilience. They are sensitive because they depend on the marine ecosystem, but give them a chance to thrive and they will take advantage of it.” —Jeffrey Seminoff, research scientist at NOAA Fisheries’ Southwest Fisheries Science Center

A Substantial Reduction in Hawaiian Monk Seal Entanglement

For decades, field biologists working in the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands have helped Hawaiian monk seals entangled in derelict fishing gear and other plastics. After they started cleaning up the marine debris in the water of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, entanglements dropped—by as much as 70 percent on some islands.