Ocelot
Center for     Biological     Diversity   

Study: Trump's Border Wall Threatens 93 Endangered Species

If Trump's border wall is built, it's going to put 93 endangered species in harm's way, from jaguars to ocelots to Mexican gray wolves. That's the key finding of a new study released this week by the Center for Biological Diversity.

Our study also found that 25 of those species have protected "critical habitat" on the border, including more than 2 million acres within just 50 miles of it. Construction of the proposed 1,200-mile-long wall -- plus its infrastructure and related law enforcement -- would cut off wildlife's migration corridors; reduce their genetic diversity; destroy habitat; and add vehicles, noise and lights to vast stretches of formerly wild and beautiful borderlands.

"Trump's border wall is a disaster for people and wildlife alike," said Noah Greenwald, the Center's endangered species director. "It could drive magnificent species to extinction."

Read more and access the study in our press release.

Coyote

Lawsuit Filed to Halt Feds' Wildlife Killing in Idaho

Conservation groups including the Center have filed suit in federal court to stop Wildlife Services, the USDA animal-killing program, from shooting, trapping and poisoning Idaho's wild animals.

The lawsuit asks the court to order Wildlife Services to complete an "environmental impact statement" and halt the ongoing, expanded killing of native wildlife until this analysis is done.

"Most people would be shocked to learn how many animals Wildlife Services already kills in our state," said Andrea Santarsiere, a Center senior attorney based in Idaho. "Now this reckless agency wants to slaughter even more of our black bears, mountain lions, coyotes, ravens and other wildlife using nightmarish methods like poisons and aerial gunning. It needs to stop."

Read more in our press release.

EPA Asked to Reject Use of Antibiotic as Pesticide

Florida citrus

The Center and the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future have asked the Environmental Protection Agency to turn down a pesticide company's request to permanently approve oxytetracycline -- a medically important antibiotic -- for use as a pesticide on citrus crops.

"Since tens of thousands of people are dying every year as a result of antibiotic-resistant infections, it's outrageous that the EPA is allowing, and may even expand, the use of this antibiotic as a pesticide," said the Center's Hannah Connor.

Read more in our press release.

The Revelator

The Revelator Focuses on Environment, Investigations, Ideas

The Center this week launched a new online media outlet called The Revelator, which will focus on environmental news, incisive investigative reporting, and deepening conversations about the most important conservation issues of this century.

The site will include daily stories about wildlife, climate change, public lands and other environmental topics, as well as essays, commentary and investigative pieces at the intersection of politics, conservation and economics.

The first stories include investigative reporter John Dougherty's account of how he nearly got arrested in Peru -- for screening a documentary -- plus editor John Platt's look at how climate change threatens whooping cranes, and a report on an unexpected source of oceanic plastic pollution. Coming up are a major investigation on a well-known oil company, a look back at an important piece of history for environmental protection of workers, and an examination of the top 80 ways to reverse global warming (some of which might surprise you).

Check out The Revelator now.

Lawsuit Launched Over Trains Carrying Liquefied Natural Gas

Oil train explosion

The Center this week filed a notice of intent to sue the feds if they approve a railroad-industry request to ship liquefied natural gas by rail, nationwide, without carefully studying its extreme safety and environmental risks. The practice risks explosions, fires that are impossible to put out, and other accidents that can harm people and the environment.

Said Center attorney Emily Jeffers, "Federal agencies can't turn a blind eye to the dangers of trains full of explosive liquid natural gas rolling through our communities."

Read more in our press release.

Alpha female of Yellowstone's Canyon pack

$21,000 Reward Offered in Killing of Yellowstone Wolf

The Center is aiding the effort to catch the person who shot and killed one of Yellowstone National Park's most famous wolves.

Hikers found the wolf -- a 12-year-old alpha female, one of the park's only three known white wolves -- mortally injured from a gunshot wound on the north side of Yellowstone last month. The Center has contributed $5,000 to a reward exceeding $21,000 being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer (or killers) of this stunning animal. Two other nonprofits, as well as the National Park Service, have also contributed to the reward.

Read more in our press release.

Bears Ears National Monument

Save Bears Ears From Trump -- Take Action

Trump's attack on 27 national monuments has begun, and first on his hit list is Utah's Bears Ears National Monument. We need your help to stop him.

Originally proposed by five American Indian tribes, the stunning, 1.3-million-acre monument protects one of North America's most culturally important landscapes. Its remote canyons, mountains, mesas and rivers also make it one of the most scenic and ecologically intact places in America. By ordering Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to "review" Bears Ears, Trump's intent is clear: to rescind or shrink the monument and open it for fossil fuel development.

Take action now to help protect Bears Ears -- and stay tuned for how you can help fight to protect all the amazing national monuments at risk.

Cuttlefish

Wild & Weird: This Is Why Cuttlefish Are Not Called Cuddlefish

Two scientists recently released the first video recording of cuttlefish battling in the wild. The footage is significant because male cuttlefish typically square off with aggressive postures -- flashing colors from their pigmented organs and squirting ink -- but avoid physical violence.

In the footage -- which was shot by the scientists while scuba diving on a research trip -- two cuttlefish gents accelerate their aggression to biting, grappling and twisting, all to win mating rights with a female.

Jean Boal, a cephalopod expert, believes the footage expands scientific knowledge of cuttlefish mating behavior and opens the door to new research.

Watch our new video on Facebook or YouTube.

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Photo credits: Ocelot by jennicatpink/Flickr; coyote by Tjflex2/Flickr; Florida citrus by Lauren Mitchell/Flickr; polar bear by Ansgar Walk/Wikimedia Commons; North Dakota oil train explosion courtesy Occupy Riverwest; alpha female of Yellowstone's Canyon pack courtesy NPS; Bears Ears National Monument by Bob Wick/BLM; cuttlefish by Kevin McGee/Flickr.

Center for Biological Diversity
P.O. Box 710
Tucson, AZ 85702