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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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Lawsuit: EPA Must Protect Manatees from Water Pollution
Three conservation groups sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today for failing to protect manatees and sea turtles from water pollution in Florida.
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Military Macaw Nesting Season a Success for Defenders of Wildlife Program in Mexico
Eleven military macaw fledglings have now joined the growing wild population after a successful nesting season for Defenders of Wildlife’s and Unidos por las Guacamayas’
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Court Upholds Ventura County Ordinances to Safeguard Wildlife Connectivity
A Ventura County court upheld two county ordinances that increase protections for wildlife corridors. The two ordinances, No. 4537 and No. 4539 designate standards for
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Safe Haven for Birds, Midwest Wildlife Refuge Threatened by Electrical Line
Since 1924, the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge has been a sanctuary for migratory birds, fish, wildlife and people. Stretching 261 river
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Biden Administration Appeals Restoration of Gray Wolf Protections
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that it would join hunting groups and the state of Utah in appealing a federal judge’s recent decision to restore Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections to gray wolves in most of the Lower 48 states.
jcovey@defenders.org
