“Cassowaries are large, flightless birds related to emus and (more distantly) to ostriches, rheas, and kiwis”, writes Olivia Judson in the September issue of National Geographic magazine. How large? People-size: Adult males stand well over five foot five and top 110 pounds. Females are even taller, and can weigh more than 160 pounds. Dangerous when roused, they’re shy and peaceable when left alone. But even birds this big and tough are prey to habitat loss. The dense New Guinea and Australia rain forests where they live have dwindled. Today cassowaries might number 1,500 to 2,000. And because they help shape those same forests – by moving seeds from one place to another – “if they vanish”, Judson writes, “the structure of the forest would gradually change” too. (Photo by Christian Ziegler/National Geographic)

Miss Colombia 2015 Ariadna Gutierrez rehearses for the upcoming Miss Universe telecast while at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, December 12. 2015. (Photo by Darren Decker/Reuters/The Miss Universe Organization)

A herd of wildebeest cross the skyline against the fading light in Masai Mara, Kenya, 25 August 2017. Stunning sunset photos silhouette Africa’s wildlife against streaks of orange and red sky. In August, German photographer Ingo Gerlach was on safari in the Masai Mara when he convinced his safari guide to stop and take in the sunset. The wildlife photographer was rewarded with his patience by an eye-catching sunset, which cast Africa’s wildlife into dark shadows against the vibrant skies. (Photo by Ingo Gerlach/Barcroft Images)

A dancer plays with fire during Lunar New Year of the Dragon celebrations at Binondo, the Chinatown of Manila, Philippines, on February 10, 2024. (Photo by Eloisa Lopez/Reuters)

Female of pygmy hippopotamus called Malaya from Netherlands in zoo in Dvur Kralove nad Labem, Czech Republic, February 22, 2016. (Photo by David Tanecek/CTK via ZUMA Press)

Revelers look at a cellphone during the annual street block party know as “Explode Coracao” on the third day of Carnival on February 19, 2023 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. According to the São Paulo City Council, during Carnival week more than 500 street blocks (blocos de rua) are held and more than 15 million people are expected to participate in them. Created in 2017, Explode Coracao is one of the most popular street blocks and attracted 150,000 revelers in its last edition, before the pandemic, in 2020. (Photo by Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images)

Protesting women shout slogans during a demonstration against sexual violence in front of the governor's mansion in San Juan, Puerto Rico on May 3, 2021. The demonstrators denounce the inaction and slowness of the state in implementing the executive order declaring a state of emergency against gender-based violence. (Photo by Ricardo Arduengo/AFP Photo)

A new book published by the UK Natural History Museum showcases some of the most memorable underwater photographs taken over the last few decades in its annual wildlife photographer of the year competition. Here: Giant gathering by Tony Wu. “The first indication that something extraordinary was going on were the blows, huge numbers of them – the exhalations of huge numbers of whales. Entering the water, the photographer witnessed an extraordinary scene”. (Photo by Tony Wu/Unforgettable Underwater Photography/NHM)