The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its first rigorous nationwide analysis Wednesday of the effects of pesticides on endangered species, finding that 97 percent of the more than 1,800 animals and plants protected under the Endangered Species Act are likely to be harmed by malathion and chlorpyrifos, two commonly used pesticides. Another 78 percent […]
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has declared the rusty patched bumble bee an endangered species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). This is the first-ever bumble bee in the U.S., and the first wild bee of any kind in the contiguous 48 states, to receive ESA protection. This landmark decision was made […]
Curbing global greenhouse gas emissions is the “single most important” action needed to protect polar bears, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) urged Monday. No safe haven for polar bears in warming Arctic. via @EcoWatch https://t.co/TlLyTv6MLr ACT NOW to #SaveTheArctic: https://t.co/G3PwrlgHFw pic.twitter.com/UFmd4C2IFJ — Money For Change (@moneyforchange_) October 4, 2016 Writing in a conservation […]
By Amanda Froelich According to a new report by SeaWorld, Tilikum—the infamous killer whale involved in the deaths of three people—died today. The well-known orca, thought to be about 35-years-old, was the focus of the 2013 documentary “Blackfish,” which criticizes the marine park for keeping killer whales and other aquatic wildlife in conditions deemed to […]
Before Inauguration Day, the Trump era has opened with an extremist agenda that poses an alarming threat to our people, our environment and the core values we share about justice, fair play and our commitment to leave future generations a livable world. Already, we’ve seen a set of cabinet nominees dominated by fossil fuel advocates, […]
A controversial, last-ditch plan to round up the last remaining vaquitas—a critically endangered porpoise found only in the Sea of Cortez—may get underway this spring with the aid of U.S. Navy-trained bottlenose dolphins. The vaquitas would be placed in a protected enclosure while efforts are made to get illegal fishing in the area under control. […]
By Shreya Dasgupta Pangolin—the world’s most trafficked mammal—continues to be killed in huge numbers. On Wednesday, Chinese customs officials announced that they had seized more than three metric tons (3,000 kilograms or 6,600 pounds) of pangolin scales in Shanghai. This is the country’s largest-ever smuggling case involving pangolin parts, officials reportedly said. Customs officials discovered […]
By Elly Pepper In what may be the biggest sign of hope for elephants since the current poaching crisis began, the Chinese government, today, announced a one-year timeline for its promised domestic ivory ban. According to the notice, China will begin phasing out registered legal ivory processors and traders by March 31, 2017 and shut […]
Six fishing boats engaged in illegal activities were spotted by Sea Shepherd Conservation Society in Mexico’s Sea of Cortez, ending in their arrest by the Mexican Navy. On Dec. 12, Sea Shepherd’s M/V Farley Mowat located poachers on radar before confirming their identities with binoculars. The six fishing boats were working together, using forbidden nets […]