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Florida panther
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Submits Technical Comments and Over 8,400 Public Comments in Efforts to Stop Harmful ESA Proposals

Defenders of Wildlife today submitted its technical comments opposing the Trump administration’s proposals to weaken the Endangered Species Act’s implementing regulations.
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black-footed ferret at the nat'l black-footed ferret conservation center
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Slams SPEED Act as it Speeds Toward Habitat Destruction

Defenders of Wildlife condemns Rep. Bruce Westerman’s (R-AR) SPEED ACT, H.R. 4776 the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act, ahead of Thursday’s expected floor vote in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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Roaming mountain goat
Washington, D.C.

ESA Amendments Act Poses a Historic Threat to America’s Wildlife

Defenders of Wildlife remains on high alert as it braces for the House Natural Resources Committee’s full markup of Rep. Bruce Westerman’s (R-AR) Endangered Species Amendments Act of 2025. More aptly labeled the Extinction Act, the bill seeks to eviscerate the Endangered Species Act, stripping away decades of crucial protections for America’s wildlife and their habitats.

Press Releases

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Photo Austin James Jr -Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
Sacramento, Calif.

Oregon Wolf’s Historic Journey Ends in Tragedy

The hopeful long-distance journey of a gray wolf from western Oregon dubbed OR-93 has come to a tragic end. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed today that the male wolf was killed on California Interstate 5 near the town of Lebec earlier this month.
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Shortfin mako shark
Washington, DC

Compromise at ICCAT Raises Hopes for Recovery of Mako Sharks

After years of inaction, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)—the international entity responsible for the management of Atlantic tuna and bycatch species, including sharks, has finally reached a decision that will benefit the endangered and overfished population of North Atlantic shortfin makos.
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Lone Wolf Closeup
Columbia County, WA

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Kills Wolf in Southeast Washington

Today, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced it shot and killed a wolf in Columbia County, Washington. The wolf was one of several adults and pups establishing new territory north of the Touchet pack and west of the Tucannon pack.
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Greater Sage Grouse - Wyoming
Washington, DC

Biden Administration to Propose New Protections for Sage Grouse

The Biden administration announced today that it will consider new measures to conserve the greater sage-grouse, a bird once found across much of the U.S
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Black bears on rocks above Anan Creek Tongass NF
Anchorage, AK

Defenders Applauds Biden Administration’s Move to Protect Roadless Areas in Tongass National Forest

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that next week it will propose reinstating the national Roadless Area Conservation Rule in the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska. The move would restrict development on roughly 9.3 million acres in North America’s largest temperate rainforest.
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
jpetrequin@defenders.org
(202) 772-0243
Communications Specialist
kirby@defenders.org
(202) 772-3268