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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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Adolescent gray wolf howling near Lamar River in Yellowstone
Washington, DC

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Announces Status Review of Gray Wolves in Western U.S.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced yesterday that it will begin a comprehensive Endangered Species Act status review of the gray wolf in the western United States.
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Sea otter mom and pup
Monterey Bay, CA

Sea Otter Awareness Week to Focus on Importance of Nearshore Ecosystems 

Defenders of Wildlife, Sea Otter Savvy and California State Parks will celebrate Sea Otter Awareness Week September 19-25 with a focus on the living mosaic that forms the sea otter nearshore marine habitat. Sea Otter Awareness Week (SOAW) will include a series of webinars, informative and entertaining livestream and in-person events and attractions in California, Oregon, Alaska, and Washington State.
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Polar bear mom and cub Beaufort Sea
Anchorage, AK

Lawsuit Calls Out Biden Administration for Allowing Oil Operators to Harm Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bears

Defenders of Wildlife and partner groups sued the Biden administration today for issuing a regulation that allows oil and gas companies to harass Southern Beaufort Sea polar bears despite the likelihood of causing injury and death.
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Bald eagle sitting at the top of an evergreen tree
Washington, DC

Interior Department Announces New Incidental Take Permit Process for Eagles

Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that it is seeking public input on approaches to improve the permitting of incidental take of bald
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Joshua tree in front of wind farm - California Desert

Defenders of Wildlife Urges Action on California’s Clean Energy Goals

Recently, 55 environmental groups, including Defenders of Wildlife, sent a letter to California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), urging them
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