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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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Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy Owl Reinstated to Threatened Species List
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced the cactus ferruginous pygmy owl will be relisted as a threatened species, after being taken off for
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Defenders of Wildlife Flabbergasted by Anti-Wildlife Politicians’ Baseless Claims in ESA 50th Committee Hearing
The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries today held a hearing stacked with anti-wildlife politicians making baseless claims attacking the landmark Endangered Species Act, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
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60 Percent of Threatened Species Lack Conservation Plans That Address Climate Change Risk According to New Defenders Research
A new Defenders of Wildlife study published today in Biological Conservation finds that 60 percent of US animal species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act lack conservation plans from the US Fish and Wildlife Service or National Marine Fisheries Services that address the risks of climate change.
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New Congressional Appropriations Language Delays Conservation Measures for Critically Endangered North Atlantic Right Whale
This morning, the House Appropriations Committee is marking up its FY24 appropriations bill for the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies. The bill contains language
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Congress Pulls Out Double Barrel Shotgun in Blatant Attack on Wildlife Protections
In a stunning abuse of power, the House Appropriations Committee Majority released its FY24 Interior Appropriations bill which is riddled with destructive riders that attack
jcovey@defenders.org
