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Violet-green Swallow
ANN ARBOR, MI

Study Led by Defenders of Wildlife Scientist Shows Noise Pollution Impacts on Migratory Birds

“The major takeaway from this study is that anthropogenic noise affects many aspects of bird behavior, with some responses more directly tied to fitness,” said Natalie Madden, lead author of the new study.
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Louisiana Black Bear
Raleigh, N.C.

Defenders Receives Advocacy Organization of the Year Award

Defenders of Wildlife joined its partners in the Safe Passage coalition today to accept the Advocacy Organization of the Year Award at the 2026 Sweethearts
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Two North Atlantic Right Whales
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Raises Alarm Over Administration’s Proposal to Amend Rule Protecting North Atlantic Right Whales From Deadly Vessel Strikes

Defenders of Wildlife is devastated to learn that a three-year-old female North Atlantic right whale was found dead off Virginia on February 10, 2026. This

Press Releases

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Jaguar
Santa Cruz, Bolivia

Defenders of Wildlife Attends International Workshop on Jaguar Conservation

The Plurinational government of Bolivia last week hosted the First International workshop to combat the illegal trade of jaguars. Participants included Interpol, UNODC, CITES, various government representatives of jaguar range states and conservation groups, including Defenders of Wildlife.
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Grizzly bear sow Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone National Park
Sedro-Wooley, WA

National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Extend Public Comment Period for North Cascades Grizzly Environmental Impact Statement  

The National Park Service (NPS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) today announced the reopening of the public comment period for the draft North Cascades Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan/Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) regarding restoring grizzly bears to their historic range in the North Cascades Ecosystem. The 90-day extension begins Friday and will close on October 24, 2019.
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Grizzly Bear in Alaska
Washington, DC

Trump Administration Signs New Deal for Disastrous Road through Izembek Refuge

Less than four months after the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska struck down the Trump administration’s agreement to trade away internationally recognized, wilderness wetlands in Izembek National Wildlife Refuge to a private corporation, the Interior Department has reportedly signed another land swap deal to facilitate road construction through the reserve.
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Washington, DC

Report: Rescinding Utah Roadless Rule Would Harm Wildlife, Ecosystems

A report released today by Defenders of Wildlife documents the exceptional wildlife values of Utah’s national forest roadless areas and illustrates how the state’s proposed
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dunes-sagebrush-lizard-Mark-L-Watson-Flickr.jpg
Washington, DC

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Imperiled Dunes Sagebrush Lizard in Texas, New Mexico

Conservation groups filed a notice today of their intent to sue the Trump administration for failing to protect the severely imperiled dunes sagebrush lizard under the Endangered Species Act.
Senior Vice President, External Affairs
lsheehan@defenders.org
(202) 772-3244
Communications Director
mdewane@defenders.org
(202) 772-0217
Communications Specialist
jcovey@defenders.org
Former Communications Specialist
Communications Specialist
kirby@defenders.org
(202) 772-3268