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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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Colorado Confirms Three New Wolf Packs, Pups’ Arrival
Colorado Parks and Wildlife today confirmed three new wolf packs have formed since the translocation of 15 gray wolves from British Columbia in January, each
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Attacks on Critically Endangered Whales Continue in Subcommittee Spending Bill
Defenders of Wildlife condemns the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies spending bill before the Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee
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House Interior Appropriations Bill Contains Devastating Attacks on Wildlife
Defenders of Wildlife strongly condemns the House Appropriations Committee’s proposed Interior and Environment spending bill for Fiscal Year 2026 which includes numerous poison pill policy
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Defenders Signs onto Letter Demanding Release of Female Mexican Gray Wolf
Thirty-six conservation groups representing millions of members and supporters from across the United States today sent a formal letter to the U.S. Department of the
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New Bill Would Gut Marine Mammal Protections
Rep. Nicholas Begich (R-AK) introduced a draft bill today that would eviscerate the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the sole federal law protecting marine mammals in
jcovey@defenders.org
