What does wildlife need now?

Red wolves are a uniquely American species. They live in the southeastern United States and are not found anywhere else on Earth. They are also a uniquely American story. red wolves They were declared extinct in the wild in 1980, but thanks to the Endangered Species Act and an unprecedented reintroduction program, their population is slowly increasing.

But the end of the story is not clear yet. Today, only an estimated 26 adult red wolves inhabit the landscape, and this fragile population, like the laws that support it, is endangered. The Trump Administration is moving rapidly to enact sweeping rollbacks of some of our nation’s basic wildlife regulations that would degrade habitat on public lands, undermine decades of recovery efforts, and accelerate the extinction crisis we face today.

What is particularly surprising about these attacks on wildlife is that the American public did not ask for them. It’s easy to point out the divisions in the United States today, but all the talk about polarization ignores an essential truth: We agree on some things. Saving wildlife is one of them. For example, the Endangered Species Act is both effective and popular: 84% of Americans support it.

This landmark legislation, passed in 1973, has a remarkable track record of success. In fact, ESAs are 99% effective. Nearly all species listed as endangered or threatened have been saved from extinction, including the bald eagle, blue whale, and peregrine falcon. Today hundreds of people are on the path to recovery. Despite this, the Trump Administration is clearly making interlocking decisions with serious implications for wildlife, habitats, and our shared American conservation values.

One of the most dangerous changes on the table is to repeal the Endangered Species Act’s regulatory definition of “harm.” This would remove the protection given to listed species from habitat destruction or modification, which is a major cause of species loss today. It puts at risk and essentially gives the green light to develop, plow and pave waterways, forests, deserts, grasslands and swamps. iconic animals Such as the Florida manatee, North American wolverine, whooping crane, and many others. Additional proposed changes call for “eliminating” all ESA regulations, weakening the ability to list and protect species.

bald eagleCarry Case/USFS

Imagine a world without wolves howling in the hills, brown bears grazing on blackberries and catching salmon, or sea turtles laying eggs on our sandy shores. Our wildlife is a source of wonder, pride and unity. They are among the few national treasures that still bring Americans together.

We cannot wait until our habitats are destroyed, our species are on the brink of extinction, and our natural world is no longer recognizable to say that we should have acted sooner. We must speak up for our irreplaceable wildlife, because they cannot. Since 1947, protector of wild life Doing just that: advocating for species large and small and working tirelessly on programs that protect them and their habitats. Learn how you can lend your voice For effort.

For nearly 80 years, wildlife protectors have worked to protect and restore America’s wildlife at risk of extinction. With a network of 2.1 million supporters, The Defenders champions innovative solutions to protect our wildlife for future generations. Learn more here defenders.org.