Nurturing Wildlife in War-Torn Afghanistan

Dec 2, 2011 | Rachael Nuwer
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When Wildlife Conservation Society scientists talk about their work in Afghanistan, they typically draw puzzled reactions. “Wildlife conservation in Afghanistan?”

Given the enormity of the country’s human needs, protecting animals does not seem like an obvious priority to some people. But because of its place in the world — at the nexus of three distinct biogeographic regions — Afghanistan is a biological crossroads boasting an unusually diverse array of rare and unique animals. And as I report in Friday’s edition of Timescast, scientists suggest that conservation projects can contribute to stabilizing the country.