African penguins close to extinction in the wild

They're a favourite attraction at any zoo, but in the wild, African penguins are at risk of extinction

The population of African penguins fell 70% between 2001 and 2013 and is continuing to decline.

With less than 18,000 breeding pairs left in the wild in South Africa, African penguins are an endangered species.

Every winter, hundreds of African penguin chicks, that have been abandoned by their parents foraging for food, are rescued by a rehabilitation centre in South Africa.

It's part of a project led by Bristol Zoo.

This year, African penguin chicks are coming in early and in their hundreds from the colonies.

The rehabilitation centre is already helping to care for 430 and this number is growing.

From CBBC newsround

Peruvian experts say glaciers are 'melting at alarming rate'

Experts have warned that Peru's glaciers are melting at an alarming rate, threatening the survival of an estimated 30 million people.

The water from the glaciers is used to generate hydro power and for irrigation.

Scientists say the glaciers have lost more than one-fifth of their mass in just three decades due to global warming.

From BBC News

UK winter storms: Nursing sick orphaned seal pups back to sea

A year ago, the worst storm surges in more than 60 years left the UK's east coast severely battered.

The storms coincided with grey seal pupping season, which happens in early December. Dozens of the young animals were separated from their mothers in the strong seas.

In the space of three days, the number of seal pups admitted to the RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre more than doubled to over 100, as 58 greys joined the 50 juvenile common seals who had been there since the summer.

One year on, with winter approaching, workers and volunteers at the centre are bracing themselves in case of another influx.

But the problem is not just weather - the centre is seeing increasing numbers of sick common seals (all but three of the current residents) but cannot pinpoint the reason.

From BBC news

New threat to Canada's Pacific humpback whales?

They were once hunted near to extinction but now humpback whales off the Canadian coast are returning in large numbers.

As a result, the Canadian government has downgraded their status from a threatened species to one "of special concern".

However, not everyone sees the change as good news with some people saying that there's now less protection for them and that they face new risks from boat traffic and increased oil and gas exploration.

Listen to what Craig Murray, a local business owner, and Jackie Hildering from the Marine Education & Research Society have to say about this.

From CBBC newsround

Salmon return to UK rivers after conservation projects

Many rivers in the UK that were once famed for their salmon saw them disappear but now they are coming back as conservation projects prove to be a success.

At this time of year the fish are swimming upriver to breed and, if you are lucky, you may see them leaping out of the water to overcome obstacles.

John Maguire reports from the banks of the River Dove in Derbyshire - one area where salmon are making a comeback.

From BBC News- Sci / Environment