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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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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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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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Federal Government Completes Plan to Sell Out Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to Big Oil
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today issued a Record of Decision (ROD) finalizing the agency’s reckless plan to lease the coastal plain of the
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WDFW Issues Lethal Removal Order for Washington's Leadpoint Pack
Today the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) released a lethal removal order for one to two wolves in the Leadpoint wolf pack. The order is in response to eleven depredation events that occurred in June and August on large private pastures in Stevens County, a known high-conflict area for livestock and wolves.
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Increased Human Activity Poses Potential Threat to Marine Wildlife
While many types of recreational activities are still limited by covid-19, kayakers and paddleboarders are once again crowding coastal ecosystems shared by wildlife. In turn, conservation groups are fielding a surge of reports about disturbances to sea otters and other animals.
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Court Upholds Historical Interpretation of Nation’s Bird Conservation Law
The Southern District of New York upheld a long-standing interpretation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). A coalition of national environmental groups, including the American Bird Conservancy, Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife, National Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation filed lawsuits in May 2018 challenging the Department of the Interior’s move to eliminate protections for waterfowl, raptors and songbirds under the MBTA.
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Friends of the Sea Otter Joins Forces with Defenders of Wildlife
Friends of the Sea Otter (FSO), a California-based organization dedicated to sea otter conservation, announced today that it has made the strategic decision to close its operations and transfer its agenda, services, and assets to Defenders of Wildlife.
jcovey@defenders.org
