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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Memo Underscores Trump Administration’s All-Fronts War on Wildlife
Brian Nesvik, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, issued a memorandum explaining to FWS staff that the Endangered Species Act’s prohibition on unauthorized “take” applies only to affirmative acts intentionally and purposefully directed at a particular animal. This follows the Trump administration’s rescission of the regulatory definitions of “harm” under the ESA, which took effect this week.
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Court Rules Habitat Must Be Protected After FWS Attempts to Waive Protections for Less Than 40 Sierra Nevada Red Fox
Defenders of Wildlife earned a significant victory for the Endangered Species Act today when a federal district court found that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's decision to not designate critical habitat for the endangered Sierra Nevada red fox was a violation of the law.
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Construction on Gateway to Road through Izembek Continues
The Ninth Circuit today denied Defenders of Wildlife’s emergency motion to halt construction on King Cove Corp.’s 2.8-mile road segment leading to the doorstep of Izembek National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness. Defenders’ request for immediate injunctive relief marks the latest stage in its larger effort to block a damaging and precedent-setting road from King Cove to Cold Bay, Alaska, that would plow through the heart of Izembek.
Press Releases
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Defenders of Wildlife Applauds Resolution Recognizing 20th Anniversary of Sea Otter Awareness Week
Just ahead of World Otter Day on May 25, Defenders of Wildlife and Sea Otter Savvy are celebrating the passage of a resolution in the California Legislature recognizing the 20th anniversary of Sea Otter Awareness Week.
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Hundreds of State Legislators Join Defenders of Wildlife in Calling for a National Biodiversity Strategy
Today, 365 legislators from 48 states and territories sent a letter to President Biden urging him to establish a national biodiversity strategy.
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Defenders Criticizes Idaho Fish and Game Commission for Approving Lethal Wolf Control Funds
Defenders of Wildlife expressed disappointment in the Idaho Fish and Game Commission for authorizing $300,000 today for the Idaho Wolf Depredation Control Board to kill more wolves in areas where chronic livestock depredations have been reported or where ungulate populations are below management objectives.
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Defenders of Wildlife Announces Reward for Information on Slain Red Wolf
Defenders of Wildlife announced a reward of $2,500 for information that leads to the successful prosecution of the individual(s) responsible for illegally killing a critically-endangered Red Wolf on April 15.
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Defenders of Wildlife Applauds Cancellation of Cook Inlet Oil Lease Sale
Defenders of Wildlife applauded the Department of Interior’s announcement that it will not proceed with three planned oil lease sales in Alaska’s Cook Inlet and
jcovey@defenders.org
