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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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A North Atlantic right whale calf is seen with severe injuries to the head, face and left lip in Edisto, S.C.
Washington, DC

Defenders Demands Biden Administration Action Following Mortally Wounded Right Whale Calf Announcement

A North Atlantic right whale calf with significant head and face wounds has become the 35th “serious injury” case in a years-long series of injuries
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Black-Footed Ferret Poking its Head Out
Washington, DC

Defenders Releases Endangered Species Act Report, Recommendations for Next 50 Years

Defenders of Wildlife’s Center for Conservation Innovation today released a new report “The Endangered Species Act: The Next 50 Years and Beyond.” The report analyzes
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Grizzly bear walking through snow at Grand Teton National Park
Washington, DC

Defenders of Wildlife and More Than 100 Conservation Groups Ask Biden, Congress to Oppose ESA-Riders in Interior Appropriations

Defenders of Wildlife joined more than 100 other conservation groups urging President Biden and Democratic Congressional leadership to oppose poison-pill riders, that undermine the Endangered
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Stalking red wolf
Washington, DC

Defenders Thanks President Biden for Endangered Species Act Proclamation Marking 50th Anniversary

As the Endangered Species Act marks its 50th anniversary today, Defenders of Wildlife thanks President Biden for issuing a Presidential proclamation in support of this
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2012.06.10 - Gray Wolf - Yellowstone National Park - Wyoming - Jim Chagares
Denver

Defenders Responds to Ranchers’ Request to Dismiss

The Gunnison County Stockgrowers’ Association, Inc. and Colorado Cattlemen’s Association suit to block the reintroduction of gray wolves to the state was dismissed today at
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