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Rice's Whale
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Defenders Slams Unlawful God Squad Vote to Strip Endangered Species Act Protection from Wildlife in the Gulf

Defenders of Wildlife strongly opposes today’s vote by the Endangered Species Committee, or God Squad, to condemn species to extinction in the name of a fictitious “national security emergency.”
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Merrit Island National Wildlife Refuge at sunset
Washington, D.C.

Court Victory for Florida Wetlands Protection

The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled today that permits to build in wetlands should stay in the hands of
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Willet
Washington, D.C.

Sec. of Defense Invokes False “National Security” Rationale to Eviscerate Endangered Species Act Protections for Wildlife in the Gulf

In a litigation filing yesterday in federal district court, the Trump administration publicly admitted for the first time that Interior Secretary Doug Burgum scheduled a snap meeting of the Endangered Species Committee (the “God Squad”) for March 31 at the request of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

Press Releases

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Gray wolf yellowstone Lamar valley
Seattle, Wash.

Another Lethal Removal Order Released for Washington Wolves

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) today issued another lethal removal order for up to two members of the Wedge pack in the Kettle Range of Washington. The order comes days after WDFW reported new depredations in Stevens County, which lies within the Wedge pack’s territory.
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Royal Tern
Washington, DC

Environmental Groups Push Back Against Destructive Migratory Bird Rule, Proposed Alternatives

The Trump administration is using the “Miracle on the Hudson” event as an excuse to strip protections for migratory birds by undercutting one of our nation’s first conservation laws – the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA).
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Lassen Pack pups
LASSEN COUNTY, Calif.

Minimum of Eight New Wolf Pups Confirmed in Lassen Pack Count

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has confirmed a minimum count of eight new pups in the Lassen Pack. This is the fourth consecutive year that the pack has produced pups.
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Polar Bear Kiss Exclusive Virtual Background
Washington, DC

New Rule Undercuts NEPA, Putting Wildlife and People at Risk

Today, the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) announced a final rule eviscerating the long-standing regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). In
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Tongass wolf
Sitka, AK

Endangered Species Protections Sought for Rare Wolf in Southeast Alaska

The Center for Biological Diversity, Alaska Rainforest Defenders and Defenders of Wildlife petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today to give Endangered Species Act protections to the Alexander Archipelago wolf in Southeast Alaska.
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