tortoises

The tortoises imperiled by loss of habitat should be put on the endangered species list in four southern states, environmental groups said as they prepared to sue the U.S. government over the issue.

Nominally an environmental and social history of the Galápagos Islands, it lays bare the entangled issues confronting us as we attempt conservation efforts while facing a sweeping ecological crisis.

Some of the animals were wrapped in duct tape, some were mixed into luggage items such as clothing, shoes and cookies. A passenger coming from Hong Kong left the animals at the airport.

When an animal is listed as endangered that can be bad news for nearby businesses. That's why Georgia's biggest utility is helping to protect the slow-breeding gopher tortoise.

And the well-being of humans could suffer if the species go extinct. The images are from a new book, 'Endangered,' by Tim Flach.