Program Term Archive

Endangered Species

Fifty Years Later, ESA Remains Strongest Tool to Protect Animals from Extinction

Press ReleaseDecember 28, 2023Endangered Species

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, landmark legislation that, in the face of relentless political attacks, continues to serve as a global model for the preservation of...

UNESCO World Heritage Committee: Vaquita Porpoise Habitat Still “In Danger”

Press ReleaseSeptember 12, 2023Endangered Species, Marine Wildlife

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee decided today to maintain the “in danger” status for the last remaining habitat of the vaquita porpoise and the totoaba fish. Only 10 vaquitas remain in the...

US Proposes Ban on Imports, Exports of Banggai Cardinalfish

Press ReleaseAugust 15, 2023Endangered Species, Marine Wildlife

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has announced a proposed rule to ban the import and export of threatened Banggai cardinalfish, following a 2021 petition from conservation groups. “Far too many of these gorgeous little...

Historic Settlement Secures Conservation of Endangered Red Wolves in the Wild

Press ReleaseAugust 9, 2023Endangered Species, Terrestrial Wildlife

Conservation groups and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced a historic settlement today to recommit to the conservation and recovery of the world’s only wild red wolf population, which in...

President Biden Declines to Embargo Products from Mexico for Vaquita Violation

Press ReleaseJuly 18, 2023Endangered Species, Marine Wildlife

President Biden announced yesterday that he will not embargo products from Mexico despite its failure to halt the illegal wildlife trade threatening the critically endangered vaquita porpoise. The decision responds to the...

AWI Speaks Up For NY Horn and Ivory Restrictions

Endangered Species, Terrestrial Wildlife

In August, AWI filed an amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief in support of a New York law restricting trade in ivory and rhinoceros horn. The 2014 law prohibits...

China Allows—then Disavows—Medicinal Use of Tiger, Rhino Parts

Endangered Species, Terrestrial Wildlife

On October 29, the State Council of China issued a policy directive indicating that the use of horn and bones from farmed rhinos and tigers for “medical research or in...

Ivory Ban Passes in Illinois 

Endangered Species, Terrestrial Wildlife

In May, the Illinois legislature passed HB 4843, a bill introduced by Rep. Martin Moylan (D) to restrict the sale of ivory and rhino horn within the state. On August...

Chipping Away at the ESA

Endangered Species, Marine Wildlife, Terrestrial Wildlife

Both Congress and the Trump administration continue their assaults on wildlife, particularly through efforts to undermine the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Several members of Congress have now packaged together nine...

Extinction Studies

Endangered Species, Terrestrial Wildlife

A recent report published by the National Academy of Sciences warns of impending massive extinctions if corrective response is not initiated very soon–a sober indicator of the pertinence of this...