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grizzly bear in Alaska
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.
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gray wolf walking with paw raised and looking at camera
Washington, D.C.

House Vote Scheduled on Ending Gray Wolf Protections, Undermining the Endangered Species Act

The House of Representatives is expected this Thursday to vote on ending gray wolf protections, prematurely delisting gray wolves from the Endangered Species Act before
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blue jay
Washington, D.C.

Scientists Join Religious Community in Calling for a Strong Endangered Species Act

Defenders of Wildlife today shared a letter from over 600 scientists around the country urging Congress to uphold the Endangered Species Act. The letter delivers a clear message that policy decisions must be based on science when addressing imperiled wildlife.

Press Releases

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A pygmy rabbit (Sylvilagus idahoensis) feeds on sagebrush during the winter on Seedskadee NWR
Washington, DC

Defenders of Wildlife Applauds BLM’s Conservation and Land Health Rule that Modernizes Land Management

In a win for wildlife, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today published a new rule designed to correct a long-standing imbalance that had subordinated conservation to oil and gas development and other extractive activities to the detriment of wildlife and natural places. Despite their importance for conserving biodiversity in the United States and globally, only 14% of BLM lands receive adequate protections and most are open to extractive uses.
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Red Wolf - B.Bartel-USFWS
Washington, DC

Congress Urged to Spend $857 Million to Fully Fund Endangered Species Protection

More than 115 conservation groups urged Congress today to significantly increase the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s budget for endangered species conservation from $329 million
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2020.12.05 - Ocelot OF343 Trail Cam - Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge - Texas - USFWS.jpg
TEXAS

Ocelot Killed by Car 50 Miles from Known Habitat Could Modify Range

Based on DNA results from a male ocelot found dead three years ago in Hidalgo County the Friends of Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge and
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Florida Manatee
Washington, DC

Defenders Statement Opposing “America’s Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Act” Set for Markup

Defenders of Wildlife staunchly opposes today’s House Natural Resources Committee markup of “America’s Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Act” sponsored by chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR). Rep
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2020.03.25 - Gray wolf - Oregon - ODFW
Denver, CO

Defenders Responds to Reports of Torture of Gray Wolf by Wyoming Man

Defenders of Wildlife recently learned of a horrific incident regarding the torture of a juvenile gray wolf by a Wyoming man. Michael Saul, Rockies and
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