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gray wolf walking with paw raised and looking at camera
Olympia, WA

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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gray wolf
Salem, OR

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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Offshore Oil Rig
Washington D.C.

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

Santa Fe, NM

Defenders of Wildlife Receives Aquatic Habitat Connectivity Grant for Santa Fe National Forest

To better protect aquatic and riparian species in New Mexico, Defenders of Wildlife has been awarded a grant from the New Mexico’s Department of Game and Fish’s Share with Wildlife program.
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California condor #568 perched atop a tree branch at Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge
Sacramento, CA

Governor Newsom’s Veto Puts Water Agencies’ Threats Above Environmental Protection

California's Governor Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 1 (SB1) last night, a bill that would defend California's water, air and wildlife from rollbacks from the Trump administration.
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Border wall javelina

Senate Votes to Terminate National Emergency Declaration

Today, the Senate voted to pass a joint resolution to terminate the national emergency declaration made by President Trump in an attempt to bypass Congress
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Coral reef, Palmyra Atoll
Washington, DC

United Nations Releases Major Report on Climate Change’s Devastating Effects on Oceans and Wildlife

Today, the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released the long-awaited “Special Report on the Oceans and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC),” a 1170-page account detailing the devastating effects of climate change on marine ecosystems.
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Greater sage-grouse
Washington, DC

Appropriations bills target greater sage-grouse, border wall

“This year has been another bad year for sage-grouse. The Trump administration has yanked away protections for the grouse and is supporting state plans that jeopardize this iconic bird’s future, all while populations continue to decline across the West."
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