No. 1222, December 7, 2023 |
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Wolverines Are Protected at Long Last |
For decades the Center for Biological Diversity and our allies have been fighting to get wolverines — those fierce and curious carnivores of the snow and ice — protected under the Endangered Species Act. As of last week, they finally have that protection in the lower 48 states. Climate change is melting the secluded, high-elevation snows wolverines depend on to survive, adding insult to the historic injury of hunting and trapping, which has brought their numbers in northern states (not counting Alaska) down to a mere 300.
“Like so many other species, wolverines waited far too long for federal protections,” the Center’s Andrea Zaccardi told CNN. But she’s overjoyed, she says, that the animals are on the path to recovery after so many years. If you’re one of more than 34,000 people who took action to help get wolverines protected, thank you.
Want to keep making a difference? Back our effective work to fight for wildlife with a gift to our Saving Life on Earth Fund. Do it now and get your donation matched. |
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Save Marine Mammals From Bycatch |
Every year more than 650,000 marine mammals die after being caught in nets or snagged on fishing hooks. This entanglement crisis has driven endangered species like vaquita porpoises, New Zealand sea lions, and Indian Ocean humpback dolphins close to extinction. But for decades, NOAA Fisheries hasn’t enforced Marine Mammal Protection Act standards requiring foreign fisheries to take basic steps to minimize entanglement — the same steps U.S. fisheries must take — or face a ban.
According to a new report by the Center and allies, fisheries in at least 11 foreign countries don’t meet U.S. standards for preventing entanglement of whales, dolphins, and other marine mammals. Many fisheries are doing nothing or almost nothing to protect these animals and ocean ecosystems. Tell NOAA Fisheries: Ocean ecosystems can’t wait any longer for the agency to crack down on dangerous fishing practices worldwide. |
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Help Fund the Center (for Free) |
We need your help to save wildlife and wild places — and all it costs is about 30 seconds of your time.
Every month CREDO Mobile donates significant funds to three progressive organizations, and this December we're one of them. Help the Center earn a bigger portion of the money by voting for us.
It's free and only takes a couple clicks. Cast your vote and share this video on Facebook. |
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Film: Bringing Down a Border Wall |
Center staffer Russ McSpadden stars in an award-winning new documentary, A Wall Runs Through It, about a ragtag group of biodiversity activists and humanitarians in Arizona bringing down former Gov. Doug Ducey’s junk border wall in jaguar and ocelot habitat.
The short film has been making its way around the film festival circuit and won the Rocky Mountain Student Production Emmy. Yes! Magazine just launched an online premiere, so you can watch the film for free. As Russ sums it up for viewers: “My hope is that all of this border wall here will be torn down someday. Just like the Berlin Wall, it'll be seen for what it is, which is just a big waste of money that separates communities, separates the landscape.”
Watch the whole film on YouTube and share this clip on Facebook. |
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Need meaningful gifts that encourage saving life on Earth instead of perpetuating its destruction? We have some ideas.
A Wild Promise is a powerful, illustrated book celebrating the Endangered Species Act, with an introduction by Center board member Terry Tempest Williams. Fur & Feather Stand Together is a picture book about animals and people uniting against climate change. Endangered Species Have Feelings Too is a unique coloring book that teaches kids about extinction. And don’t forget Tales of the Urban Wild, the debut graphic novel from Center scientist Tiffany Yap, illustrated by Meital Smith.
Check ’em out in the Center’s online store. |
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Exploring Alternative Economies |
If the current U.S. economic model of endless growth’s got you down, cheer up: There’s another way that’s better for people and the planet. Community-supported agriculture, land trusts, cooperatives, sharing libraries, credit unions, and mutual aid programs operate outside the extractive economic system — and they’re already happening in our communities. New research from the Center shows that 90% of Americans are familiar with these alternative economy practices, although only 30% of people are currently participating in them. The Center is committed to supporting an economy that values justice, equity, cooperation and a healthy environment. Learn about our work and new research. |
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Revelator: Why Won’t the Wolverine Cross the Road? |
We’re celebrating wolverines this week. Sadly, as new research shows, roads are one major threat to their survival and recovery — but not in the way you might think.
Scientists studying wolverines in Canada found that roads diminish the animals’ genetic diversity because females refuse to cross them, although young males still readily disperse to find new territories.
Learn more in The Revelator. |
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That’s Wild: The Surprising Radiance of Mammals |
Like all mammals’ teeth, human teeth seem to glow in the dark when hit by UV rays. But as a recent study shows, numerous mammals fluoresce with other body parts, too. In fact, researchers at the Western Australian Museum found, 86% of the 125 species they studied had fur that reflected UV light into the visible spectrum — and all of them possessed some form of fluorescence.
Nocturnal animals are the most fluorescent, the study revealed, but diurnal animals like polar bears and echidnas also fluoresce. The function of that glow is still unknown. |
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Center for Biological Diversity
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Tucson, AZ 85702
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