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Single manatee under water  swimming in the hot springs sanctuary in Florida
Washington, D.C.

Trump Administration Rescinds ‘Harm’ Definition, Defenders Prepares for Court

In a devastating blow to wildlife, the Trump administration today formally rescinded the regulatory definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act, eliminating the long-standing legal interpretation that habitat destruction that leads to death or injury of protected species is illegal.
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Black bears on rocks above Anan Creek Tongass NF
Raleigh, North Carolina

Defenders Celebrates North Carolina General Assembly’s Historic Investment in Wildlife Crossings with Recurring Multi-million-dollar Appropriation

North Carolina's $10.2M recurring investment for wildlife crossings is a historic win, protecting both motorists and vulnerable species like black bears and red wolves. The victory is part of a years-long effort from the Safe Passage Coalition.
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Sea otter with head poking above the water near kelp
Washington, DC

Defenders of Wildlife Urges Public Opposition to NOAA’s Planned Review That Could Weaken California’s Authority to Protect its Coastline

NOAA will review California's Coastal Management Program following a directive from Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Defenders of Wildlife urges public participation in upcoming public meetings to protect California's coast, wildlife, and state authority.

Press Releases

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Golden-cheeked warbler
Washington, D.C.

New Research Finds 5 Factors Key to Recovering Endangered Species

New research, published today in the journal Frontiers in Conservation Science, identifies five main factors associated with recovering species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The factors underscore actions that decision-makers can take to accelerate the recovery of imperiled species.
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wind turbines
Washington, DC

New Executive Orders Prioritize Climate, Wildlife and Public Lands

Today, President Biden released a second round of conservation-related executive orders as part of a broader package to act on climate. These orders expand on
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Bald eagle sitting at the top of an evergreen tree
Washington, DC

New Report Advances Climate Adaptation Plans for Wildlife

This week, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies announced the release of a new report “ Advancing the National Fish, Wildlife, and Plants Climate
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Red wolf in Alligator River NWR
Raleigh, NC

Court Sides with World’s Most Endangered Wolf

Last week, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina ruled that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must resume releasing captive Red Wolves into the wild, a major victory for the species. The case, filed on behalf of Defenders of Wildlife, Red Wolf Coalition and Animal Welfare Institute by the Southern Environmental Law Center, will help bolster the wild population which resides in the Red Wolf Recovery Area in Eastern North Carolina.
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Shortfin mako shark
Washington, DC

Defenders of Wildlife Petitions to Protect Imperiled Shortfin Mako Shark

Defenders of Wildlife today petitioned the National Marine Fisheries Service to protect the shortfin mako shark under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The species has declined dramatically across the world’s oceans because of overfishing and fisheries bycatch. The shortfin mako is the fastest-swimming shark on record.
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
Communications Specialist
estern@defenders.org
202-772-0243