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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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More than 180,000 Americans Oppose Trump’s Plan to Cripple Migratory Bird Protections
AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY * CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY * DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE * NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY * NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE More
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Retired Communications Professionals Blast U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Over Press Release
According to PEER, 10 prominent retired public affairs, communications and outreach professionals have criticized their former agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), for violating press relations norms and fairness policies in a complaint to the Inspector General.
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Despite Increase in Mexican Wolf Count Numbers, Recovery Challenges Remain
Today the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) released the official Mexican gray wolf population count for 2019.
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Federal Court Rules Against Massive Old-Growth Rainforest Logging Plan in Alaska
A federal judge today rejected an enormous commercial timber harvest and road-building plan for Prince of Wales Island in the Tongass National Forest of Southeast Alaska.
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Governor Signs Crucial Bill Prohibiting Wildlife Trafficking
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham officially signed the Wildlife Trafficking Act (SB 75) that prohibits wildlife trafficking and allows New Mexico to prosecute offenders.
jcovey@defenders.org
