Maura's_channel_National_Geographic_USA_Vol_250 - No. 04 - October

Oct 3, 2026

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October 2026 issue of National Geographic USA features an Africa-focused theme centered on conservation and wildlife protection amid intensifying human pressures. It highlights stories ranging from saving vulnerable species such as gorillas, rhinos, crocodiles, pangolins, and bearded vultures to confronting challenges in returning trafficked animals to nature. The issue also includes science and exploration coverage, including the effects of extreme heat on pregnancy and a behind-the-scenes look at testing NASA moon rovers.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages138

Reading Time3 h 33 min

AccessFree to download

Our World

Africa: The Fight for the Wild

In the Gorillas’ Midst

Inside Africa’s Great Rhino Rescue

Tiny Crocs, Huge Impact

The Urgent Plight of Africa’s Vanishing Pangolins

For the Love of a Bone-Eating Bird

Building NASA’s Moon Rover of the Future

The Toll of Extreme Heat on Pregnancy

Glimpsing Nature’s Sunseen Current

The Rise and Rise and Rise of Jellyfish

From the Vault

V O L U M E 2 5 0 O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6 N U M B E R 0 4 HOW A HOTTER PLANET IS CHANGING PREGNANCY THE FIGHT FOR THE WILD INSIDE THE BOLDEST CONSERVATION MISSION S ON EARTH FROM the EDITOR N A T H A N L U M P WHEN IT COMES TO wild animals, perhaps no place on Earth commands our attention quite as powerfully as Africa. The diverse continent is home to some of the most so-called charismatic species—lions , gorillas , elephants—as well as a thriving tourism industry that has allowed many of us to encounter, observe, and fall in love with such incredible creatures up close. But Africa is also on the front lines of a global struggle to protect many of these animals from mounting threats. Asurging human population, encroaching development, intensifying resource extraction—these factors and many others are putting enormous pressure on the continent’s ecosystems, and they are raising critical questions about what those of us who cherish wildlife must do to help. This month on Disney+ , National Geographic launches an extraordinary new docuseries, Earth’s Wild Home, a multiyear exploration of our planet and the ingenious ways its animals are adapted to their environments. Each year we will take you to a new continent, and we begin with Africa. To mark the occasion, we’ve created a collection of stories in this issue that examinesand celebrates the work happening to safeguard the future of its wild animals. Conservation has been a fundamental African value for generations, and today the continent is an advanced incubator for ideas that are reshaping our understanding of what’s possible. Africa shows us both the pressing need for action and the promise of what those efforts can achieve. I hope you enjoy the issue. O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6 PHOTO: MARK TH IESSEN, NG M STAFF C O N T E N T S 6 O UR WORLD | 1 2 IN FO C US 1 6 –9 3 A F R I CA : T H E F IG HT FO R T H E W I L D A special report on the ambitious work to save some of the continent’s most vulnerable creatures. 2 8 IN THE GORILLAS ’MIDST The key to safeguarding Uganda’s iconic primates may be keeping their human neighbors healthy. 3 4 INSIDE AFRICA’ S GREAT RHINO RESCUE On a South African ranch, history’s boldest rewilding effort comes with a big problem: How do you move 2,000 twoton white rhinos? Very carefully. 6 0 TINY CRO CS , HUGE IMPACT Inside one reptile researcher’s quest to learn the secrets of Central and West Africa’s wily dwarf crocodiles. 6 6 THE URGENT PLIGHT OF AFRICA’ S VANISHING PANGOLINS One of the world’s most trafficked wild mammals is scaly and enigmatic. Rescuing it from illegal markets remains a challenge. Returning it to nature is harder still. 8 8 FOR THE LOVE OF A BONE-EATING BIRD Breeding southern Africa’s imperiled bearded vultures is not for the faint of heart. 9 4 BUILDING NASA’ S MO ON ROVER OF THE FUTURE A fleet of high-tech vehicles is charged with an unprecedented task: prepping for lunar settlement. 1 0 0 THE TOLL OF EXTREME HEAT ON PREGNANCY As temperatures rise, scientists are racing to protect expectant mothers and babies from the dangers of a warming world. 1 2 0 GLIMPSING NATURE ’ SUNSEEN CURRENT A photographer reveals the energy fields that lead pollinators to the perfect flower. 1 2 2 THE RISE AND RISE AND RISE OF JELLYFISH Their populations aresurging. In Thailand, where edible jellies are already big business, a search for new markets is on. 1 3 4 FR OM THE VA ULT ON THE COVER A forest elephant peers out from a bank of the Ivindo River in Gabon. The surrounding Ivindo National Park is a stronghold for the critically endangered species. Pho tograph by R O B I N HAMM O N D O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6 Northern Europe NOBODY DOES IT BETTER™ Elegantly Spacious All-Suite, All-Balcony Ships — No More Than 411 Suites — Nearly One Dedicated Crew Member Per Guest — Exquisite Fine Dining, Wines and Spirits — Sailing the World wit

FAQs

What is the main conservation focus of this issue?

The issue centers on Africa’s conservation challenges and the efforts to safeguard the future of its wild animals.

Which wildlife stories are included in the Africa section?

It covers efforts and research involving gorillas, rhinos, dwarf crocodiles, pangolins, and bearded vultures, among others.

What science and exploration topics appear besides conservation?

The issue includes reporting on extreme heat’s impact on pregnancy, and a behind-the-scenes look at testing NASA’s moon rovers.

Oct 3, 2026

Upload by Elsa