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Violet-green Swallow
ANN ARBOR, MI

Study Led by Defenders of Wildlife Scientist Shows Noise Pollution Impacts on Migratory Birds

“The major takeaway from this study is that anthropogenic noise affects many aspects of bird behavior, with some responses more directly tied to fitness,” said Natalie Madden, lead author of the new study.
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Louisiana Black Bear
Raleigh, N.C.

Defenders Receives Advocacy Organization of the Year Award

Defenders of Wildlife joined its partners in the Safe Passage coalition today to accept the Advocacy Organization of the Year Award at the 2026 Sweethearts
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Two North Atlantic Right Whales
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Raises Alarm Over Administration’s Proposal to Amend Rule Protecting North Atlantic Right Whales From Deadly Vessel Strikes

Defenders of Wildlife is devastated to learn that a three-year-old female North Atlantic right whale was found dead off Virginia on February 10, 2026. This

Press Releases

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Headshot image of Jamie Clark
Washington, D.C.

Clark Announces Change at Defenders of Wildlife

Defenders of Wildlife President and CEO Jamie Rappaport Clark today announced her decision to step down from her position in 2024. Clark has served Defenders for 20 years, including the last 13 as president and CEO.
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North Atlantic Right Whale

House Interior Appropriations Bill Slashes Funding for Imperiled Species, Eviscerates Endangered Species Act Protections

The U.S. House of Representatives just passed an atrocious Interior and Environment funding bill for FY24, which slashed funding for imperiled species, eviscerated longstanding protections
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By Evelyn Lichwa
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO

Defenders of Wildlife Statement on Female Mexican Gray Wolf Reported Outside of Management Area

Defenders of Wildlife issued the following statement on a female Mexican gray wolf sighted crossing Interstate 40, outside of the Mexican Gray Wolf Experimental Population
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2022.05.20 - Green Sea Turtle on Beach - Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge - Hawaii - Percy Ulsamer-USFWS
Washington, DC

Defenders Slams McClintock, Newhouse and Graves Anti-Wildlife Bills Ahead of House Hearing

The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries today will hold a hearing on three anti-wildlife bills. The
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gulf of mexico whale
washington dc

Defenders and Others Deplore GOP Bill That Would Gut Protections for Critically Endangered Gulf of Mexico Rice’s Whales

House Republicans will consider a bill today introduced by Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.) that could prohibit vital Endangered Species Act protections for critically endangered Gulf
Senior Vice President, External Affairs
lsheehan@defenders.org
(202) 772-3244
Communications Director
mdewane@defenders.org
(202) 772-0217
Communications Specialist
jcovey@defenders.org
Former Communications Specialist
Communications Specialist
kirby@defenders.org
(202) 772-3268