From new discoveries to conservation wins, there were many memorable wildlife tales in 2025. Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild Co-Hosts Peter Gros and Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant break down 10 of their favorite stories from the past year.
2025’s top wildlife stories
Remembering Jane Goodall
In October, the world mourned the loss of conservation great Dr. Jane Goodall, well-known for her work with chimpanzees in Tanzania.
“Nobody had more patience than Jane Goodall, who would observe behavior in the wild for hours and hours,” Peter said.
Through her observation, Goodall documented chimpanzees’ ability to use tools — a conservation breakthrough. Her work with chimps led to the creation of the Jane Goodall Institute and the Jane Goodall Legacy Foundation, which will carry on chimpanzee conservation and research for decades to come.
“When I became a scientist, I realized Jane and I have a lot of parallels and in many ways, I’m walking in her footsteps,” Dr. Rae said. “She didn’t grow up in the wilderness. She knew it through magazines and books. That’s exactly how I grew up too.”
Like Goodall, Dr. Rae first had the opportunity to go into the wilderness in her 20s, whereas many colleagues start earlier in life.
“One of the reasons I feel comfortable is because I know I’m not alone,” Dr. Rae said. “It’s never too late to start. You can be different or nontraditional in this space like Jane was and still make major contributions to this field.”
Watch the classic Wild Kingdom episode, “Chimpanzees of Gombe Stream,” to see Goodall’s work in action.
Pandas return to San Diego Zoo
Visitors to the San Diego Zoo rejoiced as pandas made their way back to the states, and Peter and Dr. Rae were some of the first to see them.
“They’re such a charismatic species,” Peter said. “And although they’re big powerful bears chewing through three inches of bamboo like it’s a toothpick, we see them with sweet, cuddly, cute faces with big eyes that do need to be saved.”
The pandas’ return to the San Diego Zoo as well as the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. helps bring more awareness to the conservation needs of this species.
“With these animal ambassadors, when people visit their attitudes are affected about the importance of saving pandas and the other animals that they see in the zoo,” Peter said.
See the San Diego Zoo’s pandas in the Protecting the Wild episode “Panda-Monium!”
Los Angeles wildfires
The tragic wildfires around Los Angeles caused many to lose their homes, businesses and community spaces. They also harmed the region’s wildlife. Though some species used instincts to fly or run to escape in time, not every animal was able to.
“The wildfires went on for so long that scientists were able to see that animals with GPS collars, for example, fleeing and leaving, but a lot of wild animals are unaccounted for,” Dr. Rae said.
Wildfires aren’t uncommon in the wild and can have positive effects to nature by generating new growth and habitat for wildlife. However, the L.A. wildfires burned hotter than normal because of extreme drought.
“When they’re burning hotter than what’s natural and spreading faster than what’s natural, that’s when we’re seeing this is a natural disaster due to human-made influences and there aren’t those ecosystem benefits,” Dr. Rae said.
Bald eagles born in Big Bear
Those watching a nest camera from Big Bear Valley, California, in March were in for a surprise as three bald eaglets arrived. While any bald eagle birth is exciting due to the species’ history as a formerly endangered species, these three eaglets made headlines because of what their mother went through in 2024.
Last year, viewers watched as the mother eagle protected her nest during a two-day snowstorm. Sadly, her chicks did not make it, making this year’s birth even more meaningful.
“We all held our breath to see if they would actually hatch, which requires the parents to do a lot of heavy lifting to actually get the eggs incubated properly so they can hatch,” Dr. Rae said. “These eagle chicks not only hatched, but they fledged from the nest. We all felt like those parents especially deserved those wonderful births.”
Watch the Protecting the Wild episode “Rescue, Rehab and Release” for another incredible bald eagle story.
Fat Bear Week
Each fall, Alaskan brown bears go head-to-head in fierce “competition” for Fat Bear Week. As the bears in Katmai National Park prepare for hibernation, they put on weight to help them sustain the winter season. Meanwhile, people fill out their brackets and vote to crown the fattest bear of the year.
“Conservation is reaching more people that wouldn’t traditionally be included by saying, ‘Oh you know sports matchups? Well, I bet you could apply that to bears!’” Dr. Rae said. “I really like the idea of making it fun.”
This year, 1.7 million people participated in Fat Bear Week voting with “Chunk” winning the contest, coming in at over 1,200 pounds.
Learn why bears need to gain weight to prepare for hibernation.
The surfboard-stealing otter
Surfers near Santa Cruz, California, had their boards stolen by an unlikely suspect — a sea otter! The wild otters climbed aboard surfboards looking for a place to land.
“This one particular otter had no fear of people,” Peter said. “They burn a lot of energy, they have their young and they’re constantly swimming, so they need time to sun themselves and rest. They do it on top of kelp, on rocks and so why not do it on a surfboard?”
Though it may be tempting to interact with the adorable wild sea otters, Peter says this story is a good reminder to stay back, even if wildlife seems “friendly.”
“I think no matter where you are, there will be wildlife that becomes accustomed to people,” Peter said. “Just give them their distance and stay away. We’re having to learn to share habitat with them.”
Watch the Protecting the Wild episode “Secret Life of Sea Otters” to see these playful pups in the wild.
North Atlantic right whale population growing
The North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium reported that this whale species is up eight whales from last year. While this number may not seem like a big deal, it’s a huge conservation win. North Atlantic right whales are one of the world’s most endangered whales with only around 370 remaining in the wild. And with the ocean’s vast size, it can be difficult to monitor just how many whales there are.
“Positive conservation stories exist, and we have a lot of reasons to be optimistic about the future,” Dr. Rae said.
Dive into the world of the North Atlantic right whale in the Protecting the Wild episode “Safe Passage for Whales.”
Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing closer to opening
If you’re a fan of Protecting the Wild, you’ll remember talks of building the Wallis Anneberg Wildlife Crossing in the episode “Urban Wildlife.” The Southern California crossing will help bridge ecosystems so animals, such as cougars, can have larger habitats. The crossing is currently under construction over the 101 freeway.
This fall, a group of individuals, including Dr. Rae, traveled to the crossing to spread seeds to help start the vegetation needed for the animals to use the crossing when it opens in 2026. The seeds spread were all those of native plants that have pollinated and produced in the region for thousands of years.
“We planted the wildlife crossing which is a big step toward its opening,” Dr. Rae said. “It’ll be the largest wildlife crossing in the world!”
Learn more about the cougar who inspired the crossing, P-22.
Green sea turtles no longer endangered
Green sea turtles are moving their way down the endangered species list, going from endangered to least concern due to growing populations around the world. Scientists say this was all possible because of global conservation efforts.
“We’re changing our attitudes and thoughts about how to deal with wildlife,” Peter said. “We’re protecting the habitat they need to survive. We can share this planet, we can share what is their habitat as well as ours, we just have to learn the best way to do it.”
Watch “Sea Creatures of the Florida Coast” to learn more about sea turtles.
Pupfish studies
Endangered Sonoyta pupfish found a new home in the University of Arizona’s Biosphere 2, allowing conservationists to study and hopefully boost the population. Wild Sonoyta pupfish live in springs, lakes and marshes in a desert climate.
“The biodome is a completely controlled environment versus in the desert where you still get air pollution,” Peter said. “I’ll be interested in the comparison because these wild fish have somehow adapted to extreme climates. The data can be accumulated on changes they go through in a controlled environment versus an uncontrolled environment.”
Learn about another pupfish in the episode “The Pupfish of Death Valley.”
Look back at the top wildlife stories of 2024 and 2023 for more inspirational tales.
