Center for Biological Diversity
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Endangered Earth
No. 1209, September 7, 2023
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Mexican Wolves Get More Protection From Killings

Responding to pressure from Western Watersheds Project, the Center for Biological Diversity, and allies, the federal government just released new standards that help protect Mexican gray wolves from being unfairly blamed for livestock deaths — and killed as a result.
The move follows an exposé showing that Wildlife Services, a rogue program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has over-reported wolf involvement in Southwest cattle deaths via bad data collection, unscientific methods, and even corruption. The new standards require more evidence before any wolves are held responsible for killing a livestock animal.
“It’s appalling that the USDA blames endangered wolves for killing cows that died of something completely different,” said the Center’s Michael Robinson. “I’m glad they’re tightening standards, but the government should go further and require that ranchers properly dispose of dead cattle to protect wolves and livestock.”
Help us fight for these wolves and other wildlife with a gift to our Saving Life on Earth Fund.

Help Push for a Strong Treaty on Plastic Pollution

The United Nations committee on plastic pollution just released a draft of the global plastics treaty for negotiations happening this November in Kenya. It’s a great starting point, but the treaty needs clearer goals that match the urgent need to curb plastic production.
As the Center’s Oceans Director Miyoko Sakashita explains, “We won’t even slow down the relentless flood of plastic pollution without making less plastic, and this historic treaty should reflect that reality.”
We’re stepping up our call for the United States to commit to mandatory plastic reduction targets in the treaty. You can help: Urge the U.S. delegation to push for a powerful, ambitious treaty.

Study Links Emissions to Polar Bear Decline

A new study in Science shows a direct link between greenhouse gas emissions and the decline of polar bears, whose Arctic sea-ice habitat is melting away as the climate warms. This research could help close a massive loophole in the Endangered Species Act that lets the federal government ignore emissions when implementing the law.
Thanks to the Center’s landmark petition (and two lawsuits), in 2008 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service protected polar bears. But at the same time, it released an illegal rule exempting greenhouse gases — the bears’ leading threat — from regulation under the Act.
“What keeps me going is that there’s still time to make a difference,” said the Center’s Climate Law Institute Director Kassie Seigel, who wrote our polar bear petition. “Hopefully the publication of this paper will finally convince the Biden administration to follow the science and the law.”
You can help speak up for polar bears and other endangered species. Tell the Service to save the Endangered Species Act.

Hellbenders Back on Track for Protection

Thanks to a Center petition and a lawsuit we filed with allies, on Wednesday a federal judge rejected the Fish and Wildlife Service’s refusal to protect eastern hellbender salamanders. Now the agency must make a new decision that’s consistent with the Endangered Species Act.
Also known as “snot otters” and “old lasagna sides” because of their loose, frilly skin and its mucus-like covering, hellbenders are mostly nocturnal and breathe through their skin.
“These odd and charming salamanders can survive, but they desperately need the help of the Endangered Species Act,” said Center lawyer Elise Bennett.

Last Call: Join the March to End Fossil Fuels

The Earth can't take more abuse from fossil fuel development. But the fossil fuel industry still churns up and burns up the planet. From Alaska to Appalachia, the Biden administration has approved permit after permit, pipeline after pipeline, while propping up the corporations that value their bottom line over wildlife, water and people.
It's time to act together and demand Biden and other global leaders phase out fossil fuels.
On Sept. 17, just days ahead of the United Nations' Climate Ambition Summit in New York City, we're flooding the city’s streets to call for real change. Thousands of people have already committed to joining the March to End Fossil Fuels — and it's not too late for you to come, too. Sign up to join the march and demand a just, livable future for us all.

Disastrous Pipeline Defeated Again

The Center and allies have again defeated Big Oil's attempts to restart the pipeline behind the horrific 2015 Refugio State Beach oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. The disaster damaged the coastline, killed hundreds of marine mammals and birds, and endangered the rare blue and humpback whales who migrate through the Santa Barbara Channel.
In the most recent move to revive the pipeline and its decaying 1980s rigs, ExxonMobil appealed Santa Barbara County’s refusal to let the company install new pipe valves. After a hearing and vote last week, ExxonMobil's appeal was denied, so the company can’t move forward with the pipeline — at least for now.
To all who sent hundreds of letters to help us sway this vote: Thank you.

Celebrate the Endangered Species Act

It’s the 50th anniversary of one of the strongest conservation laws ever passed: the Endangered Species Act. Throughout 2023 the Center has been educating people while celebrating and advocating for this important law and the thousands of species it protects.
Join us on Tuesday, Sept. 12, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center to hear from members of Congress, administration officials, Tribal representatives, academics, and policy experts. Together we’ll celebrate the Act’s 99% success rate and talk about its future. RSVP to let us know you’ll be there.

Revelator : A Promise to a Prairie Dog

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, writer Terry Tempest Williams looks back at what inspired her own conservation journey: a promise to a prairie dog.
Read an affecting excerpt from her essay in The Revelator.

That’s Wild: Frog Dads Raise Young in Their Mouths

In the rainforests of Chile live rare, amazing amphibians called Darwin’s frogs. Known for their unique style of camouflaging themselves to look like dead leaves, they’re also the last known amphibians to mouthbrood.
After the females lay eggs, male Darwin’s frogs guard and then swallow them, holding them in their vocal sacs until the eggs hatch and the tadpoles develop. Miniature adult frogs then hop out of their dads’ mouths.
Once common, Darwin’s frogs are now endangered. Their plight is the focus of a new short film — which just scored third place in an environmental film contest — featuring a Chilean biologist and her daughter as they advocate for the frogs’ protection.
Check it out on Vimeo.

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