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Florida panther
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Submits Technical Comments and Over 8,400 Public Comments in Efforts to Stop Harmful ESA Proposals

Defenders of Wildlife today submitted its technical comments opposing the Trump administration’s proposals to weaken the Endangered Species Act’s implementing regulations.
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black-footed ferret at the nat'l black-footed ferret conservation center
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Slams SPEED Act as it Speeds Toward Habitat Destruction

Defenders of Wildlife condemns Rep. Bruce Westerman’s (R-AR) SPEED ACT, H.R. 4776 the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act, ahead of Thursday’s expected floor vote in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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Roaming mountain goat
Washington, D.C.

ESA Amendments Act Poses a Historic Threat to America’s Wildlife

Defenders of Wildlife remains on high alert as it braces for the House Natural Resources Committee’s full markup of Rep. Bruce Westerman’s (R-AR) Endangered Species Amendments Act of 2025. More aptly labeled the Extinction Act, the bill seeks to eviscerate the Endangered Species Act, stripping away decades of crucial protections for America’s wildlife and their habitats.

Press Releases

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Bison head on
Fort Peck Indian Reservation, MT

Diverting Yellowstone Bison from Slaughter in Favor of Restoration, Partnership Begins New Improved Relocation Program

Today, 55 bison were transferred from Yellowstone National Park to the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, marking the first major relocation by the park under a new program that diverts disease-free Yellowstone bison from slaughter to tribal-led restoration efforts.
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Panther
Washington, DC

Statement on New Videos Showing Stumbling Florida Panthers

On Monday, Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shared several videos showing eight endangered panthers and one bobcat exhibiting difficulty walking. Government agencies and scientists are testing for diseases, rodenticides and other possible causes.
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Grizzly bear with cubs
Washington, DC

Lawsuit Challenges Trump Administration Attack on Endangered Species Act

Environmental and animal protection groups today sued the Trump administration over its new regulations that dramatically weaken the Endangered Species Act. Earthjustice filed the lawsuit on behalf of Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife, Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council, National Parks Conservation Association, WildEarth Guardians, and the Humane Society of the United States.
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Gray wolf in green grass
Seattle, WA

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Lethally Removes Remaining Wolves and Pups from Old Profanity Territory Pack

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) killed the remaining wolves and pups from the Old Profanity Territory (OPT) pack over the weekend, under an authorization that allows lethal removal of the full pack.
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Gray wolf in green grass
Seattle, WA

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Lethally Removes 3 Wolves from Old Profanity Territory Pack

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced Tuesday that it killed three wolves from the Old Profanity Territory (OPT) pack, under an authorization that allows lethal removal of the full pack.
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
jpetrequin@defenders.org
(202) 772-0243
Communications Specialist
kirby@defenders.org
(202) 772-3268