In a world where bad news often takes center stage, positivity feels hidden behind the curtain. But Reverse the Red and its coalition of partners across the globe are shifting the spotlight onto hopeful stories for the conservation of animals, plants and fungi. These encouraging stories demonstrate that, together, we can save endangered species.
Reverse the Red and its partners aim to reverse the negative trend of biodiversity loss and stop the extinction of species listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List, commonly referred to as “the endangered species list.” Every species plays a unique role. From the tiniest bacteria to the largest animals and plants, biodiversity is what makes ecosystems like forests and oceans function. Using a data-driven and science-based approach, organizations like Shedd can assess, plan and act to protect endangered species. And you can help.
Conservation in Action
Protecting aquatic life is at the heart of Shedd’s mission, and we work toward this every day with help from supporters like you. We recently made Reverse the Red Species Pledges for 28 species – spanning invertebrates and mammals to reptiles, sharks and coral, reaffirming our commitment to protect some of the most imperiled and under-researched species in the world. But we can’t do this work alone.
Dive in with us to learn more about each species we pledged to protect and what you can do from home to help!
Corals
Often mistaken for plants, corals are animals! Corals are the building blocks of diverse ecosystems called reefs that support 25% of marine life and protect our shores from damaging waves. But warming waters from climate change are threatening corals and causing them to bleach, which leaves them susceptible to disease and death. Shedd’s conservation scientists are studying coral heat tolerance to optimize future restoration strategies to save all coral species, including Caribbean corals like staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis), elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) and mountainous star coral (Orbicella faveolata.)
Queen Conch (Aliger gigas)
With shells that grow to the size of a football and weigh more than a brick, queen conch (pronounced “konk”) are giant marine snails found in the shallow, warm waters of Florida and the wider Caribbean. These special animals are deeply valued for their cultural, nutritional and economic importance and play a critical role in cleaning habitats. Unfortunately, overharvesting and habitat loss have caused their populations to decline. Listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 2024, Shedd’s conservation scientists have studied queen conch for over a decade to determine how populations across Florida and Bahamian waters are faring, understand their basic ecology to inform conservation interventions, better design the placement of marine protected areas and make recommendations that inform sustainable fishing regulations.
Freshwater Mussels
Nearly two thirds of Shedd's Reverse the Red pledges are focused on freshwater mussels, vital animals that we are losing at an alarming rate, both in the Midwest and Central America. Freshwater mussels act as water’s filtration system and play a key role in habitat protection.
But due to human-caused problems such as habitat destruction and pollution, these curious creatures are disappearing and have rapidly become one of the most endangered animals in the world.
In 2023, Shedd was designated as the first IUCN SSC Center for Species Survival: Freshwater, accelerating our work to survey freshwater mussels in remote locations and discover new species, work with partners to identify key biodiversity hotspots where these mussels are found, monitor populations trends over time and make management decisions to conserve them.
Zebra Sharks (Stegostoma tigrinum)
Despite sharks’ fearsome reputation in pop culture, zebra sharks are far from the fierce predators of legend. In reality, they are the ones being hunted, threatened by habitat loss, overharvesting and the demand for their fins. While they play a crucial role in balancing coral reef ecosystems, their slow reproductive rate makes it difficult for their populations to recover. Shedd is a founding partner in a collaborative effort called ReShark to recover threatened sharks and rays across the globe. As part of its inaugural StAR Project, aquariums around the world are producing eggs and sending them to Indonesia, where in-country animal care experts are raising and releasing endangered zebra shark pups into Marine Protected Areas to help restore their populations.
Photo by: ©Shedd Aquarium/Brenna Hernandez
Bowmouth Guitarfish (Rhina ancylostoma)
Bowmouth guitarfish have a broad range, native throughout the Indo-West Pacific Ocean. Their coloring helps to camouflage them in sandy or muddy environments on the ocean floor.
Despite their natural camouflage, bowmouth guitarfish cannot hide from the threats they face in the wild. Overfishing, habitat loss, pollution and bycatch, when animals are accidentally caught in fishing nets, have left them classified as critically endangered by the IUCN. The mother of the two bowmouth guitarfish at Shedd was a victim of bycatch after being trapped in a fishing net in Taiwan. Shedd has brought together an accomplished group of field researchers, fisheries experts and accredited aquariums to develop a comprehensive conservation and recovery plan for bowmouth guitarfish.
Sunflower Sea Stars (Pycnopodia helianthoides)
Growing up to 3 feet across and with up to 24 arms, sunflower sea stars are one of the largest sea star species on the planet. Native to the west coast from Alaska down to Baja, California, they keep voracious urchin populations in check, protecting kelp forest ecosystems for thousands of ocean species that rely on them.
Sunflower sea stars have been badly impacted by sea star wasting disease, a fatal condition that has decimated wild populations. Shedd’s team is working with partners to raise sunflower sea stars from their earliest stages, learning best practices for raising this critical species in aquariums. Experts hope raising and then releasing these animals will help bolster populations on America’s Pacific coast.
Southern Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris nereis)
There’s lots to love about sea otters, from their dexterous paws and dense fur to the critical role they serve in kelp forest ecosystems. Southern sea otters are typically found along the Pacific coast of California and help keep kelp forests healthy by eating sea urchins and other small creatures that would otherwise overgraze on giant kelp. If sea otters disappeared, urchins would take over and the kelp forests that provide food and shelter for so many species would be destroyed.
With southern sea otters at the highest risk of extinction, Shedd has provided a home for several rescued southern sea otters. Additionally, our expert animal care team helps prepare female sea otters to potentially become surrogate mothers for future orphaned pups – keeping more otters in the wild.
Northern Bahamian Rock Iguanas (Cyclura cychlura)
Northern Bahamian rock iguanas are some of the most endangered lizards on Earth and are found on several islands, some with and without people. Depending on where they live, the species is vulnerable to environmental and man-made threats, including habitat loss, introduced predators and competitors such as dogs, goats and pigs, illegal hunting, increasing contact with tourists and smuggling for the black-market pet trade. Shedd scientists have spent more than 30 years studying these one-of-a-kind iguanas and collaborating with local partners to spark an international effort to protect them.
How You Can Take Action for Animals
Support Shedd
By visiting Shedd, becoming a member or making a donation, you directly support global conservation efforts to protect threatened and endangered species. Come explore the aquarium or become a member to enjoy a year of free admission and more, while knowing that your support is making a real difference in the conservation of critical species.
Prevent Plastic Pollution
All waterways are connected. And every action counts. Although it might seem like a small step, reducing your use of single-use plastics can prevent harmful pollution from reaching our Great Lakes and other habitats these animals depend on.
Eat Sustainable Seafood
Both animals and people rely on a healthy ocean, rivers and lakes. Choosing sustainably sourced seafood is a direct step to protect the wildlife that thrives in these ecosystems and ensure the future of our waterways.
Explore more resources on how you can take action for animals.