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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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Charles River Laboratories, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and Conservation Groups Announce Agreement to Enhance Protections for Horseshoe Crabs and Red Knots
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.; the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR); Gault Seafood, LLC; Marsh Point Farm, Inc.; and the Southern Environmental Law
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Defenders Urges Biden Administration to Strengthen Endangered Species Act Regulations
With the closure of the public comment period today, Defenders of Wildlife submitted recommendations that urge the Biden administration to undo the numerous harmful changes to Endangered Species Act regulations that were made during the previous administration.
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Feds Agree Pinyon Jay to be Considered for Endangered Species List
Defenders of Wildlife applauds the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s determination that there is substantive evidence that the pinyon jay may warrant Endangered Species Act
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U.S. Proposes Ban on Imports, Exports of Banggai Cardinalfish
NOAA Fisheries has announced a proposed rule to ban the import and export of threatened Banggai cardinalfish, following a 2021 petition from conservation groups
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New Gray Wolf Pack Discovered in California’s Southern Sierra Nevada
Defenders of Wildlife celebrates the announcement of a newly documented gray wolf pack in California’s Sequoia National Forest. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife
jcovey@defenders.org
