Douglas Main
National Geographic
New York, United States
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Past articles by Doug:
Most U.S. wolves are listed as endangered—again. Here’s why.
A new court decision protects wolves, except in the Northern Rockies, just over a year after they were delisted. What’s next in the chaotic world of wolf conservation? → Read More
An endangered wolf went in search of a mate. The border wall blocked him.
The travails of a Mexican gray wolf named Mr. Goodbar show the grave threat posed by the U.S.-Mexico border wall. → Read More
Giraffe populations are rising, giving new hope to scientists
Giraffe numbers are 20 percent higher than in 2015, an increase linked to conservation efforts and more accurate survey data. → Read More
The 12 most intriguing animal discoveries of 2021
Here are our editors’ picks for the most compelling wildlife findings of the year, from ants that can regrow their brains to the world’s tiniest reptile. → Read More
A deadly disease is wiping out coral in Florida and the Caribbean
Researchers are racing to stop stony coral tissue loss disease, which is killing some of the region's oldest and largest corals. → Read More
How sea otters help protect underwater meadows
These endangered predators enhance the genetic diversity of eelgrass, making their threatened seagrass surroundings more resilient. → Read More
Meet the ice worm, which lives in glaciers—a scientific 'paradox'
Glacier ice worms thrive at freezing temperatures and exhibit other mysterious traits that make them an urgent subject of research—since their habitat is disappearing. → Read More
Cicada killer wasps have arrived. Don't confuse them for murder hornets.
These large wasps come by their name honestly, as prolific predators of cicadas. But they pose no danger to humans. → Read More
These blind mice can ‘see’ with their ears, a first among rodents
Pygmy dormice are one of only a small number of creatures able to use sound—in the form of sonar—to navigate their surroundings. → Read More
Why a new jaguar sighting near the Arizona-Mexico border gives experts hope
The exclusive finding suggests the jaguar's range may be expanding—and a new study verifies the U.S. has plentiful habitat to reclaim if the cats can reach it. → Read More
Honeybees found using tools, in a first—to repel giant hornet attacks
In Vietnam, Asian honeybees use feces to ward off the cousins of “murder hornets." The finding could help protect bees in other countries with invasive wasps. → Read More
New pygmy seahorse discovered, first of its kind in Africa
“It’s like finding a kangaroo in Norway,” says a researcher of the new species of lentil-sized fish, found 5,000 miles from its nearest cousins. → Read More
How ‘murder hornet’ stings compare to other venomous insects
Asian giant hornets, two of which have been seen in the U.S., have relatively toxic venom, which can cause great pain—and, rarely, death. → Read More
'Murder hornets' are in the U.S.—here's what you should know
The world's largest wasp has been spotted in Washington State, but don't panic—efforts are underway to stop it from spreading. → Read More
Endangered Florida panthers filmed fighting for the first time
Brawls over territory are a leading cause of death for Florida panthers but until now had never been captured on camera. → Read More
This marsupial is the only animal that's always pregnant
Swamp wallabies have two uteruses, so they can conceive a new baby before birthing another, scientists have discovered. → Read More
World’s largest cave fish discovered in India
Likely a new species still in the process of evolving and losing its eyes, the Indian animal is 10 times heavier than any known cave fish. → Read More
Bumblebees are going extinct in a time of ‘climate chaos’
Loss of the vital pollinators, due in part to temperature extremes and fluctuations, could have dire consequences for ecosystems and agriculture. → Read More
Dogs are the other victims of the opioid epidemic
For the first time, scientists have looked at the impact of opioids on canines—and found that young, small dogs are most at risk. → Read More
These sharks have evolved to walk on land—and they did it quickly
Four new species of this colorful yet overlooked group of reef dwellers have been found since 2008, a new study says. → Read More