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gray wolf walking with paw raised and looking at camera
Olympia, WA

Washington State 2025 Wolf Count Increases, Depredations Decrease

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife today released the state’s 2025 minimum count for gray wolves at 270 individuals, a 17% increase from 2024
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gray wolf
Salem, OR

Oregon Releases 2025 Annual Wolf Count, Numbers Up

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife today issued its 2025 gray wolf annual report, announcing an increase in the wolf population for a new
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Offshore Oil Rig
Washington D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Challenges Unprecedented “God Squad” Exemption Allowing Unchecked Gulf Oil Drilling

Defenders of Wildlife today announced it is taking legal action to overturn an unprecedented and unlawful decision by the Endangered Species Committee, known as the “God Squad,” to exempt federal authorizations of oil and gas activities in the Gulf of Mexico through a blanket exemption from the Endangered Species Act’s protections.

Press Releases

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Sea Otter floating
Sacramento, Calif.

Defenders Supports Conclusions of Federal Feasibility Assessment on Sea Otter Reintroduction to Northern California and Oregon

After a year-long study and six months of internal review, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today released its assessment of the potential restoration of sea otters to historical areas of California and Oregon.
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White-Fronted Parrot sitting on branch
Tamaulipas, MEXICO

New Defenders of Wildlife Report Highlights Success of Mexico’s Parrot Trade Ban

A new report by Defenders of Wildlife found that tens of thousands of parrots have been saved from poaching following Mexico’s parrot trade ban in 2008.
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Pair of sandhill cranes flying above Great Sand Dunes National Park
Washington, DC

Defenders of Wildlife Applauds Removal of Trump-era Barrier to Protecting Threatened and Endangered Species

Defenders of Wildlife applauds the Biden administration’s move today to throw out the Trump-era rule that had made it easier to exclude areas essential to the recovery of endangered and threatened species.
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Mexican Gray Wolf stare
Tucson, Ariz.

Conservation Groups Sue Fish and Wildlife Service Over Inadequate Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Efforts

Conservation groups have filed a lawsuit challenging a new U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) management rule that fails to provide for the recovery of the Mexican gray wolf, one of the most endangered mammals in the U.S.
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Right Whale #2360 “Derecha” with Injured Calf January 8, 2020
Boston, Mass.

Federal Appeals Court Reinstates Right Whales Seasonal Protection

In a victory for critically endangered North Atlantic right whales, the U.S. 1st Circuit Court of Appeals today reinstated a seasonal prohibition on lobster fishing with vertical lines in federal waters off the coast of Maine.
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