How a cigar-chomping, bear-wrestling bricklayer became the unlikeliest celebrity-influencer of the early 20th century...and changed zookeeping forever.

Nothing worked to ease the pain of chronic illness — until I discovered venom therapy. Now I’ve stung myself thousands of times, and found people who became my closest friends.

He pioneered a version of this ancient sport in which animals aren’t hurt, drawing legions of fans to a sleepy Texas border town. His last wish: someone to carry on his legacy.

On the Kenyan savannah, a new model for community-based conservation takes root.

Dr. Lynn Rogers has spent years proving it’s safe to get up close and personal with wild black bears. Now he’s teaching others how to do it.

As a twelve-year-old trainee I hand-fed hippos, hugged orangutans and was bit by a baby tiger. Now, as an adult, I wonder if kids these days need a little more dangerous freedom.

My parents love the tale of how our ancestors’ whaling ship capsized, turning the crew into cannibals. As an environmental reporter, there’s no story I dread hearing more.