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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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Grizzly Bears at the confluence of the Russian River and Kenai River, Kenai Peninsula, Chugach National Forest, Alaska
Washington, DC

Trump Administration’s Assault on Alaska’s Wildlife Continues

he onslaught against wildlife on public lands in Alaska continues, this time on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Today, the Trump administration announced a plan to abandon existing federal hunting regulations for brown bears on the refuge, deferring to less protective state regulations instead.
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Asian-giant-hornet

‘Murder Hornet’ Panic has People Swatting at Native Bees

Officials recently identified two Asian giant hornets, dubbed “murder hornets,” in a small area of Washington State. Just one is capable of decimating an entire colony of honey bees, so if the hornets spread, it could be devastating for bee species native to the United States.
Washington, DC

Trump Administration Finalizes Extreme Predator Hunting Rules in Alaska National Preserves

The Trump administration announced today that it will finalize new regulations that roll back protections against extreme methods of killing predators and other wildlife in Alaska national preserves.
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Adolescent gray wolf howling near Lamar River in Yellowstone
Fort Collins, CO

New Study Finds Broad Public Support for Wolf Reintroduction in Colorado

A peer-reviewed study authored by 11 researchers in public opinion, biology and economics at Colorado State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows 84% support among Colorado’s public for Proposition 107 to reintroduce gray wolves, which will appear on this November’s ballot.
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Pacific Fisher (pekania pennanti)
SACRAMENTO

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Announces Endangered Species Listing of Sierra Nevada Fisher in California

Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced the Southern Sierra Nevada distinct population of fisher (Pekania pennanti) will be listed as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA).
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