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Rice's Whale
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Defenders Slams Unlawful God Squad Vote to Strip Endangered Species Act Protection from Wildlife in the Gulf

Defenders of Wildlife strongly opposes today’s vote by the Endangered Species Committee, or God Squad, to condemn species to extinction in the name of a fictitious “national security emergency.”
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Merrit Island National Wildlife Refuge at sunset
Washington, D.C.

Court Victory for Florida Wetlands Protection

The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled today that permits to build in wetlands should stay in the hands of
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Willet
Washington, D.C.

Sec. of Defense Invokes False “National Security” Rationale to Eviscerate Endangered Species Act Protections for Wildlife in the Gulf

In a litigation filing yesterday in federal district court, the Trump administration publicly admitted for the first time that Interior Secretary Doug Burgum scheduled a snap meeting of the Endangered Species Committee (the “God Squad”) for March 31 at the request of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

Press Releases

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Growling wolverine
Missoula, Mont.

Court Restores Wolverine Protections While Agency Reconsiders Endangered Species Decision

The wolverine has regained candidate species status under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) following a Montana District Court decision late Thursday.
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Sea Otter floating
Sacramento, Calif.

Defenders of Wildlife Applauds Resolution Recognizing 20th Anniversary of Sea Otter Awareness Week 

Just ahead of World Otter Day on May 25, Defenders of Wildlife and Sea Otter Savvy are celebrating the passage of a resolution in the California Legislature recognizing the 20th anniversary of Sea Otter Awareness Week.
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Advocating for Biodiversity
Washington, DC

Hundreds of State Legislators Join Defenders of Wildlife in Calling for a National Biodiversity Strategy

Today, 365 legislators from 48 states and territories sent a letter to President Biden urging him to establish a national biodiversity strategy.
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Gray Wolf - Denali National Park - Alaska
McCall, Idaho

Defenders Criticizes Idaho Fish and Game Commission for Approving Lethal Wolf Control Funds

Defenders of Wildlife expressed disappointment in the Idaho Fish and Game Commission for authorizing $300,000 today for the Idaho Wolf Depredation Control Board to kill more wolves in areas where chronic livestock depredations have been reported or where ungulate populations are below management objectives.
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Red wolf staring straight on
Tyrrell County, NC

Defenders of Wildlife Announces Reward for Information on Slain Red Wolf

Defenders of Wildlife announced a reward of $2,500 for information that leads to the successful prosecution of the individual(s) responsible for illegally killing a critically-endangered Red Wolf on April 15.
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