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Trump Administration Announces First Step in Rolling Back Rule Protecting Whales
The Trump administration today took the first official step in rolling back a 2008 regulation vital to protecting critically endangered North Atlantic right whales from
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Ocelot Conservation Day Returns to the RGV
On March 7, the annual celebration of Texas’ beloved native cat, Ocelot Conservation Day, returns to the Rio Grande Valley. Now in its 29th year
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Study Led by Defenders of Wildlife Scientist Shows Noise Pollution Impacts on Migratory Birds
“The major takeaway from this study is that anthropogenic noise affects many aspects of bird behavior, with some responses more directly tied to fitness,” said Natalie Madden, lead author of the new study.
Press Releases
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Emergency Petition Seeks to Shield Right Whale Moms, Calves From Ship Strikes
Defenders of Wildlife and partner conservation groups filed an emergency rulemaking petition with NOAA Fisheries today to protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales from being struck and killed by vessels in their calving grounds off the coast of the southeast United States.
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Conservation Groups Prompt Federal Review of San Joaquin River Exchange Contract for First Time in 54 Years
Defenders of Wildlife applauded a decision by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to request a renegotiation of a decades-old use contract for the San Joaquin River that could spark stronger protection for wildlife and drought management.
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New Population Estimate Illustrates the North Atlantic Right Whales’ Downward Trend
Today, the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium announced that the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale’s population – now at 340, down from 348 – continues its decade-long decline. The species’ population has plummeted by 30% in the last decade, down from 481 in 2011. The latest estimate represents the whale’s lowest population estimate in 20 years.
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Eastern Population of Gopher Tortoise Denied Federal Protection
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has determined that eastern and western portions of the gopher tortoise range meet the Distinct Population Segments criteria. The agency also determined in the species status assessment that the eastern population does not meet the requirements for federal protection under the Endangered Species Act.
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Defenders of Wildlife Launches New Spanish Microsite
Defenders of Wildlife today launched a new Spanish website, which will offer translated content for Spanish-speaking audiences. Spanish is the second-most spoken language in the U.S. but second-language access to conservation work continues to be limited or unavailable.
jcovey@defenders.org
