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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

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Western bluebird on tree branch
Washington, DC

Defenders of Wildlife Outraged as Interior Department Halts Progress on Migratory Bird Treaty Act Protections

The U.S. Department of the Interior today announced it is halting efforts to finalize key protective measures under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act—the nation’s landmark
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Wolverine on a rocky slope
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Wolverine Receives Much-Needed Endangered Species Act Protections

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that it will protect the wolverine population in the lower 48 states as threatened under the Endangered
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A Mountain Landscape, featuring Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina
Raleigh, N.C.

North Carolina General Assembly appropriates $2 million for wildlife crossings

In honor of Road Safety Week, the Safe Passage Fund Coalition applauds the North Carolina General Assembly for appropriating $2 million in funding for infrastructure
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Mojave Desert Tortoise
St. George, Utah

Defenders and Allies Respond to BLM Announcement on Highway through Red Cliffs National Conservation Area

Update of 3pm ET 11/16/2023: The U.S. District Court issued an opinion, irrespective of BLM’s announcement, affirming the need to reconsider approval of the highway
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Mom and Cubs - Steven Amstrup USGS.jpg
ANCHORAGE, AK

Alaska District Court Rules Willow Oil Project Can Proceed; Conservation Groups Plan To File Appeal

Environmental groups intend to challenge today’s federal court ruling that the Willow oil-drilling project in Alaska’s Western Arctic can proceed. A federal court in 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