The reason we have gray wolves, bald eagles, and grizzly bears today is because of one law: The Endangered Species Act (ESA). But now, the Trump administration is trying to dismantle this landmark law.
The Trump administration’s proposed changes would:
Allow corporate profits to override conservation science;
Strip automatic protections from species listed as threatened;
Limit critical habitat designations that species need for recovery;
And weaken consultation requirements to fast-track harmful projects.
These rollbacks fundamentally weaken the ESA’s ability to protect vulnerable wildlife.
Here’s a look at what we risk losing if these rules are finalized:
Fewer than 200 Florida panthers are left in the wild. The new rules mean that sprawling residential and commercial developments can be built in—and destroy—their critical recovery habitat.
Gray wolves, nearly hunted to extinction, have made a remarkable comeback because of protections. These new rules could reverse decades of recovery progress.
Only about 50 Rice’s whales remain on the planet. The Trump administration’s proposals will make it increasingly difficult to ensure these animals aren’t killed by boat strikes and offshore oil development.
