Center for Biological Diversity
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Endangered Earth
No. 1266, October 10, 2024

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Ocelot Spotted in New Arizona Location
The Center for Biological Diversity just released stunning new trail-camera footage [[link removed]] of a rare wild ocelot in a southern Arizona mountain range, within the ancestral homelands of the Tohono O’odham Nation. For this shy cat’s safety, we won’t say exactly where — but we will say it was somewhere ocelots haven’t been seen for a long time.
Protected under the Endangered Species Act since 1982, ocelots have striking spot patterns unique to each animal. Fewer than 100 remain in the United States — most in southern Texas, with a tiny but crucial population in Arizona.
“I shouted with joy when I realized what I was seeing in this footage,” said the Center’s Russ McSpadden, who placed the trail camera. “It shows that these elegant, elusive, and fiercely resilient felines belong in Arizona, despite all the threats they face. Now I have new hope for the species’ survival.”
Watch and share our video on Facebook [[link removed]] , Instagram [[link removed]] , and YouTube [[link removed]] .
Wolf running in an open field [[link removed]]
Warning Issued Over Flagstaff Wolves
The Center and allies have filed notice with state and federal agencies [[link removed]] that efforts to trap and move a family of Mexican gray wolves living near Flagstaff, Arizona, are illegal.
These wolves, the Kendrick Peak pack, may have been born north of Interstate 40 and thus should be fully protected under the Endangered Species Act. Trapping risks injuring them — and removing them from the Grand Canyon ecosystem, where they need to live to recover, will leave the area wolfless once again.
“These tenacious wolves belong right where they are, so we’re putting wildlife officials on notice that they’ll be breaking the law if they try to interfere,” said the Center’s Michael Robinson.
Be part of our work for wolves with a gift to the Center’s Saving Life on Earth Fund . [[link removed]]
Houses with rooftop solar and Kingston fossil fuel plant [[link removed]]
Say No to More Fossil Fuels in the Tennessee Valley
The Tennessee Valley Authority, the largest federal utility in the United States, just released a 25-year plan that will saddle the valley with more methane-spewing “natural” gas plants — a decision that deeply undermines the country's pledge to transition the energy sector off fossil fuels.
Choosing to prioritize gas over clean energy will degrade habitat for wildlife, pollute water and air, worsen extreme weather events, raise household energy bills, and hurt people's health.
But this doesn't have to happen. TVA's board of directors can stop the reckless buildout and get on a path to renewables — which would tackle the climate crisis and improve lives and livelihoods.
Tell TVA to drop its current plan and transition to 100% clean energy. [[link removed]]
A collage of coastal California gnatcatcher, Jurupa Oak, and Delhi Sands flower-loving fly, with a play button [[link removed]]
Suit Seeks Help for 13,000-Year-Old Oak
Along with our allies, the Center just sued the city of Jurupa Valley, California [[link removed]] , for greenlighting development around 500 feet from the world’s oldest known living oak without properly studying potential harms.
The oak is one of a kind and believed to be 13,000 to 18,000 years old. It shares its home with vulnerable animals like Delhi Sands flower-loving flies and California gnatcatchers.
“It’s outrageous that city officials OK’d grading and blasting to make way for industrial buildings so dangerously close to the Jurupa Oak,” said Meredith Stevenson, a Center attorney.
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Biodiversity Briefing: The Chevron Decision and the Wild
This summer the Supreme Court struck down the “Chevron deference,” which basically stated that if federal legislation is ambiguous, courts must defer to reasonable interpretations by regulatory agencies. That move could transform how groups like the Center use the courts to save wildlife and wild places.
In our September “Biodiversity Briefing” presentation [[link removed]] , Executive Director Kierán Suckling discussed the Supreme Court’s recent pattern and intent in striking down this legal precedent, as well as the coming onslaught of industry attacks on treasured environmental protections. He offered a glimpse into the Center’s unique position in this litigation landscape and our plans to simultaneously defend against industry challenges and offensively strike down bad agency decisions that were shielded by Chevron.
These briefings [[link removed]] , including live Q&A sessions, are open to all members of the Center’s Leadership Circle [[link removed]] and Owls Club [[link removed]] .
Aerial view of rivers and clouds, as seen from a satellite [[link removed]]
Revelator : Planetary Problems
To author David Quammen, humanity faces three overlapping, planet-wide problems: climate change, biodiversity loss, and emerging epidemics. But in this new article featured in The Revelator , [[link removed]] he also emphasizes the need to communicate with humor and hope.
If you don’t already, subscribe to the free weekly Revelator e-newsletter [[link removed]] for more wildlife and conservation news.
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That’s Wild: So a Fish Walks Into a Bar…
What has the body of a fish, fins like delicate wings, and legs that can taste? Sea robins, apparently.
These fascinating fish have six crablike appendages that resemble legs and allow them to taste and dig their way across the ocean floor — so well, in fact, that other species tag along in their wake to snag possible leftovers.
A new study of two different sea robin species reveals that one uses the front appendages for food-finding while the other just uses them for plain old walking. And a gene called tbx3a allowed the specialized sensory limbs to develop — a gene human limbs depend on too.
Learn more about the study and watch a sea robin doing its thing. [[link removed]]
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