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2023.11.19 - Pinyon Jay in tree - Topaz Lake, Nevada -  by JC Bleam.jpg
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO

First-of-its-Kind Study Sheds Light on Forest Thinning Impacts on Pinyon Jays

Though the pinyon jay population continues to decline at alarming rates, until now the threats facing it remained largely under-researched. Defenders of Wildlife, along with
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green sea turtle
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Trump Administration Calls on “God Squad” to Weaken Endangered Species Act Protections

The Trump administration today announced its intent to convene the Endangered Species Committee — colloquially known as the “God Squad”— on March 31, 2026, to consider an exemption under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for oil and gas-related activities in the Gulf of Mexico.
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Washington monument - cherry blossoms
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Unveils 2025 Conservation Report Card for 119th Congress

Defenders of Wildlife today released its 2025 Conservation Report Card for the 119th Congress, measuring members’ commitment to upholding federal laws that protect wildlife conservation during its first session.

Press Releases

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Gray Wolf Howling
Portland, ORE.

Defenders of Wildlife Calls for Increased Poaching Protections as Oregon’s Wolf Population Stalls

For the second time since wolves returned to Oregon in 2009, the population has not grown, according to the recently released 2021 annual report from
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A brown bear cub looks for fish in the Kenai River
Anchorage, AK

Court Upholds Prohibition of Brown Bear Baiting in Alaska's Kenai Refuge

Defenders of Wildlife and a coalition of groups represented by Trustees for Alaska celebrated a U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision on Monday to uphold a 2016 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule that prohibits brown bear baiting on Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.
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Newborn Gray Wolf Pups
SEATTLE, Wash.

Washington Wolf Population Growing Despite Many Deaths

Despite a number of deaths, primarily from vehicle collisions and legal tribal harvest, the Washington wolf population has increased, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
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Mexican Gray Wolf stare
Santa Fe, NM

Revised Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Plan Addresses Poaching

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a draft revision to its 2017 Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Plan. The plan is the result of a legal victory by Defenders of Wildlife and partners and outlines the ways the agency will address poaching and other human-caused deaths.
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Red wolf staring straight on
Columbia, NC

Release of Highly Endangered Red Wolves into Wild Gives Hope to Renewed Conservation

Following a successful legal battle, conservation groups hope the recent release of nine highly endangered Red Wolves into the wild is the first of many steps by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service needed to save the world’s rarest canids that now number as few as 15 known animals in the wild.
Senior Vice President, External Affairs
lsheehan@defenders.org
(202) 772-3244
Communications Director
mdewane@defenders.org
(202) 772-0217
Communications Specialist
jcovey@defenders.org
Communications Specialist
kirby@defenders.org
(202) 772-3268