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2019.08.07 - Florida Panther looking straight at camera - MS 45 - fStop Foundation
WASHINGTON, D.C.

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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A close up of the face of a Sierra Nevada Red Fox at the edge of a forest in Deschutes County, Oregon.
Washington, D.C.

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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Three sea otters float in the water. There are hills or mountains in the distance in the background.

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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Red Wolf in Field at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Raleigh, N.C.

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Unanimously Commits to Red Wolf Recovery, Defenders Applauds Critical Moment

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission today voted unanimously in favor of a resolution to advance Red Wolf recovery in the state. The resolution replaces
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Gray Wolf on a Rock
Denver, CO

Defenders and Allies Voice Support for British Columbia-Colorado Wolf Translocation Agreement

Defenders of Wildlife, Rocky Mountain Wolf Project and a coalition of partner organizations representing millions of American and Canadian residents, announced the delivery of a
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Mountain landscape, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
Washington, D.C.

Defenders President and CEO Commends Rep. Grijalva for his Service as Ranking Member of the Committee on Natural Resources

Defenders of Wildlife president and CEO Andrew Bowman today issued the following statement in response to Congressman’s Raúl M. Grijalva’s (D-Ariz.) decision to step down...
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2019 - Mexican Gray Wolf - Arizona - Evelyn Lichwa - Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team - FWS.jpeg
FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA

Defenders Statement on Investigation into the Death of a Mexican Gray Wolf

State and federal wildlife officials are offering a more than $100,000 reward in the death of a Mexican gray wolf found near a Forest Service
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2016.06.27 - Landscape of Selkirk Mountains - Idaho Panhandle National Forest - Idaho - Jon Knechtel
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Slams Trump Interior Pick Burgum

Trump made known that he intends to nominate North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum to lead the Department of Interior, giving authority of the nation’s public lands, wildlife and natural resources to a leading advocate of oil and gas drilling.
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
kirby@defenders.org
(202) 772-3268
Communications Specialist
estern@defenders.org
202-772-0243