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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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2012.06.10 - Gray Wolf - Yellowstone National Park - Wyoming - Jim Chagares
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Responds to FWS Steps to Remove Gray Wolf ESA Protections

The USFWS last week took steps toward dismantling Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves, seeking to revive a Trump-era rule Defenders of Wildlife successfully challenged in court.
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2020.03.25 - Gray wolf - Oregon - ODFW
Denver, CO

Defenders celebrates announcement that up to 15 more wolves will be reintroduced to Colorado this winter

As Colorado secures a new source population of wolves for its reintroduction efforts, Defenders celebrates the announcement and urges action to ensure successful restoration.
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2019.07.02-Landscape of Black Spruce Pines-Danielle Brigida-USFWS
Washington, DC

Defenders Slams Bill Aiming to Rollback NEPA and Gut Environmental Protections

In advance of its first hearing by the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources today, Defenders of Wildlife is announcing its staunch opposition to chairman Bruce Westerman’s (R-AR) draft National Environmental Policy Act bill.
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Wild gray wolf in the Northwest Peak Roadless Area
Denver, CO

Defenders Responds to Capture of Copper Creek Wolf Pack in Colorado

Colorado Parks and Wildlife today announced the capture of all six members of the Copper Creek wolf pack following efforts that began in late August
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three wolf pups peeking out from logs
Denver, CO

Defenders Denounces CPW’s Decision to Relocate Colorado’s First Wolf Pack

Defenders of Wildlife today strongly denounced Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s tragic decision to relocate the Copper Creek wolf pack, the first breeding pair and litter
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