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Study Led by Defenders of Wildlife Scientist Shows Noise Pollution Impacts on Migratory Birds
“The major takeaway from this study is that anthropogenic noise affects many aspects of bird behavior, with some responses more directly tied to fitness,” said Natalie Madden, lead author of the new study.
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Defenders Receives Advocacy Organization of the Year Award
Defenders of Wildlife joined its partners in the Safe Passage coalition today to accept the Advocacy Organization of the Year Award at the 2026 Sweethearts
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Defenders Raises Alarm Over Administration’s Proposal to Amend Rule Protecting North Atlantic Right Whales From Deadly Vessel Strikes
Defenders of Wildlife is devastated to learn that a three-year-old female North Atlantic right whale was found dead off Virginia on February 10, 2026. This
Press Releases
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6 Reasons Why You Should Care About Wolves
As a top predator, wolves are essential to maintaining the health of many ecosystems around the world. With their piercing looks and melancholy howls, wolves
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CA Fish and Game Commission Moves to Change Desert Tortoise Status from Threatened to Endangered
The California Fish and Game Commission voted today to move forward with strengthening protections for the Agassiz’s desert tortoise under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).
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Finding Refuge: Endangered Species and the National Wildlife Refuge System
Defenders of Wildlife and the National Wildlife Refuge Association used hundreds of federal documents and data to develop an up-to-date list of species found on the National Wildlife Refuge System. In a new report, they found that 513 ESA-listed species—nearly one-third of all U.S.-listed species—are found on (or depend on) at least 444 of the 568 wildlife refuges.
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Lawsuit Launched Over Federal Refusal to Protect Wolverines
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service denied protection today to the rare and elusive wolverine under the Endangered Species Act, prompting a coalition of conservation groups to announce their intention to file a notice of intent to sue as soon as the final rule is published in the Federal Register.
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Newsom Executive Order Sets Biodiversity, Working Lands Protection Goals
Today, Governor Newsom signed an executive order (EO) focused on protecting California’s biodiversity and natural working lands.
jcovey@defenders.org
