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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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Lawsuit Targets Federal OK of Off-Road Routes, Grazing Threatening Imperiled Species in California Deserts
Environmental groups sued the Interior Department, U.S. Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today for authorizing damaging activities in the California Desert Conservation Area, including a vast network of off-road vehicle routes in the West Mojave Desert.
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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Announces Status Review of Gray Wolves in Western U.S.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced yesterday that it will begin a comprehensive Endangered Species Act status review of the gray wolf in the western United States.
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Sea Otter Awareness Week to Focus on Importance of Nearshore Ecosystems
Defenders of Wildlife, Sea Otter Savvy and California State Parks will celebrate Sea Otter Awareness Week September 19-25 with a focus on the living mosaic that forms the sea otter nearshore marine habitat. Sea Otter Awareness Week (SOAW) will include a series of webinars, informative and entertaining livestream and in-person events and attractions in California, Oregon, Alaska, and Washington State.
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Lawsuit Calls Out Biden Administration for Allowing Oil Operators to Harm Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bears
Defenders of Wildlife and partner groups sued the Biden administration today for issuing a regulation that allows oil and gas companies to harass Southern Beaufort Sea polar bears despite the likelihood of causing injury and death.
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Interior Department Announces New Incidental Take Permit Process for Eagles
Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that it is seeking public input on approaches to improve the permitting of incidental take of bald
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