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2019.08.07 - Florida Panther looking straight at camera - MS 45 - fStop Foundation
WASHINGTON, D.C.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Memo Underscores Trump Administration’s All-Fronts War on Wildlife

Brian Nesvik, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, issued a memorandum explaining to FWS staff that the Endangered Species Act’s prohibition on unauthorized “take” applies only to affirmative acts intentionally and purposefully directed at a particular animal. This follows the Trump administration’s rescission of the regulatory definitions of “harm” under the ESA, which took effect this week.
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A close up of the face of a Sierra Nevada Red Fox at the edge of a forest in Deschutes County, Oregon.
Washington, D.C.

Court Rules Habitat Must Be Protected After FWS Attempts to Waive Protections for Less Than 40 Sierra Nevada Red Fox

Defenders of Wildlife earned a significant victory for the Endangered Species Act today when a federal district court found that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's decision to not designate critical habitat for the endangered Sierra Nevada red fox was a violation of the law.
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Three sea otters float in the water. There are hills or mountains in the distance in the background.

Construction on Gateway to Road through Izembek Continues

The Ninth Circuit today denied Defenders of Wildlife’s emergency motion to halt construction on King Cove Corp.’s 2.8-mile road segment leading to the doorstep of Izembek National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness. Defenders’ request for immediate injunctive relief marks the latest stage in its larger effort to block a damaging and precedent-setting road from King Cove to Cold Bay, Alaska, that would plow through the heart of Izembek.

Press Releases

Washington, DC

Giant Manta Ray Proposed for Listing

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposed to list the giant manta ray as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. NMFS now has until November 10, 2017 to determine if the species will receive a final listing decision.

Restore the Grizzly Bear to the North Cascades

For Immediate Release 1/12/2017 Restore the Grizzly Bear to the North Cascades Release of restoration strategies welcomed as a historic step towards recovery of North
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Gray wolf yellowstone Lamar valley
Washington, DC

Members of Congress Attempt to Remove Protections for Gray Wolves

U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney (WY-Al) introduced a bill in Congress on Jan. 10 to permanently remove gray wolves from the endangered species list and prevent the delisting from being subject to judicial review and lawsuits.

Feds Review U.S. Coal Program, Reforms Needed to Account for Coal’s Environmental Impacts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jared Saylor, (202) 772-3255; jsaylor@defenders.org Feds Review U.S. Coal Program, Reforms Needed to Account for Coal’s Environmental Impacts WASHINGTON, D.C. (January

New Plan Shines Light on Steps to Polar Bear Recovery

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 9, 2017 Contact: Leigh Anne Tiffany; (202) 772-0259; ltiffany@defenders.org New Plan Shines Light on Steps to Polar Bear Recovery Anchorage, AK
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
Communications Specialist
estern@defenders.org
202-772-0243