Wolves Remain in the Crosshairs

Last week, a federal judge agreed with Defenders that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service likely violated the Endangered Species Act in delisting wolves in Idaho and Montana -- which means we have a strong chance of ultimately prevailing in our legal challenge of the Interior Department’s delisting of wolves in Idaho and Montana.

Unfortunately, the judge stopped short of granting our request for an injunction -- which means the wolf hunt already underway in Idaho and set to begin in Montana on September 15th will go forward.

Last week’s ruling offers new hope for wolves under the gun in Greater Yellowstone and the northern Rockies, but Defenders of Wildlife will continue to move quickly in the days and weeks ahead to win our lawsuit and restore protections for these wolves.

Read our statement.

Watch Out for Wildlife

Fall can be one of the deadliest times for wildlife near roads and highways. Experts estimate that up to 1.5 million wildlife-vehicle collisions occur in the United States every year. And roads are a leading cause of decline for some species. In fact, 50 percent of all endangered Florida panther deaths are from vehicle collisions. But animals aren’t the only victim: More than 200 motorists are killed in wildlife-vehicle collisions in the U.S. every year.

Defenders’ Watch Out for Wildlife Week (September 13-19) is raising awareness of the dangers our roads pose to wildlife -- and you can help:

Watch our new slide show -- then take action: Write your representative today and urge Congress to help make our roads safer for wildlife and people.

House Passes Sea Otter Bill
This summer more than 63,000 Defenders supporters spoke out for sea otters and played a key role in House passage of the Southern Sea Otter Recovery and Research Act. The bill -- which now awaits Senate action -- provides vital funding to keep sea otters on the road to recovery.

Our annual Sea Otter Awareness Week kicks off this month with events at zoos and aquariums across the country and around the globe. To learn more and to find sea otter events near you, visit our website: Sea Otter Awareness Week (September 27th through October 3rd)

Bold Vision for Forests
The Obama administration embraced a June court ruling overturning harmful Bush-era forest planning regulations and announced its intention to make new rules aimed at updating and modernizing national forest planning. The new regulations are likely to focus on restoring our forests to help resist the effects of climate change and to increase protections for watersheds.
>>Learn more

Thousands Speak Out for Polar Bears
More than 43,000 Defenders activists have written to federal officials asking to end international trade in polar bears and their parts. Officials are weighing a proposal to strengthen international protections for these struggling arctic icons through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

Jaguars in the Classroom

As students head back to school, Defenders is helping teachers bring jaguars into the classroom -- all part of a new curriculum developed as part of Defenders’ Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders program.

Students not only learn about the biology and cultural significance of the largest feline in the Americas but are also presented with the complexities of jaguar conservation. The lesson plans challenge students to think of creative solutions to help resolve conflicts that conservationists often face.

While the curriculum doesn’t include live jaguars, teachers can request a Jaguar Trunk that includes a replica jaguar skull, radio collar and other useful artifacts to help students learn about the conservation and recovery of these spotted predators.

To learn more about the Jaguar Curriculum and download the lesson plans, visit Defenders’ Kids’ Planet website.