Rachel Hartigan

May 13, 2024 | nationalgeographic.com | Rachel Hartigan

Colombian marine biologist Fernando Trujillo has been named the 2024 Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year. This award is given by the National Geographic Society to an intrepid Explorer who highlights vital issues facing our planet and inspires others to act. “His work in South America enhances protections for endangered wildlife and supports sustainable practices for the betterment of local communities,” says Jill Tiefenthaler, CEO of the Society.

Feb 7, 2024 | networthynews.com | Rachel Hartigan

ByRachel HartiganReleased January 30, 2024With the release of a rough gold image, news headings all over the world are trumpeting the possible discovery of Amelia Earhart’s Lockheed Electra 10e, the airplane she was flying in 1937 when she and her navigator, Fred Noonan, vanished throughout the most tough leg of their round-the-world flight.

Jun 6, 2023 | nationalgeographic.com | Rachel Hartigan

Nikumaroro Island, KiribatiThe coconut crabs on the island of Nikumaroro are longer than a reporter's notebook, wider than an archaeologist's trowel, and roughly the same size as an explorer's hiking boot. As the largest land invertebrate on the planet, coconut crabs can measure up to three feet across and clock in at over nine pounds. In short, they are too big.

Apr 21, 2023 | nationalgeographic.co.uk | Rachel Hartigan

One of those people is ethologist Joyce Poole, a leading expert on African elephant behaviour. The National Geographic Explorer compiled five decades’ worth of video and audio recordings of elephant communication—from ear waving to head butting—into the Elephant Ethogram, a publicly available digital library of elephant behavior.