Center for Biological Diversity
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Endangered Earth
No. 1,114, Nov. 11, 2021

Agreement: ‘I‘iwi to Gain Protected Habitat
The Center for Biological Diversity and our allies in Hawai‘i have fought for more than a decade to save the gorgeous, crimson-and-black bird known as the ‘i‘iwi, or scarlet honeycreeper. And finally we’ve reached an agreement [[link removed]] : The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service will propose a plan to protect the bird’s habitat by the end of 2022.
The ‘i‘iwi [[link removed]] is among at least 17 unique Hawaiian birds urgently threatened with extinction — and in September, eight birds endemic to the islands were among the 23 species declared extinct.
As the climate warms, the ‘i‘iwi is more and more vulnerable to mosquitos that carry avian malaria and is retreating up mountainsides to try to escape them. “Time is of the essence,” said Maxx Phillips, the Center’s Hawai‘i director. “We can’t let bureaucratic foot-dragging result in any more species’ extinction.”

Alligator Snapping Turtles to Be Protected
Prehistoric-looking alligator snapping turtles — with spiked shells, beaked jaws, and worm-like tongues to lure in fish — could go extinct in decades without help. But on Monday, following a Center petition and legal victory, the Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to protect [[link removed]] these fierce freshwater giants.
The turtles face habitat destruction, trapping, fishing gear they get tangled up in or swallow, raccoons who eat their eggs, and climate change. Existing rules don’t do enough to save them — but now these snappers will get a real shot at survival with the Endangered Species Act in their corner.
Help us save many more species with a matched gift to our Saving Life on Earth Fund [[link removed]] .

Raise Your Voice for Wolves
Wolves are under attack across the country. States like Idaho and Montana have declared war on these beautiful canines, authorizing the slaughter of up to 90% of their populations. Earlier this year a hunt in Wisconsin killed more than 200 wolves in under 60 hours. We must stop these senseless killings.
Join the Center, Jason Momoa and thousands more in our fight to #RelistWolves. Raise your voice by sharing this new video on Facebook [[link removed]] , Twitter [[link removed]] , Instagram [[link removed]] or YouTube [[link removed]] . Take part in a day of action on Nov. 17 [[link removed]]and find out more ways to get involved for wolves [[link removed]] .

Check Out Our Fall Membership Newsletter
This fall’s Endangered Earth , the Center's print newsletter, is now available online [[link removed]] . Read about our battles to save polar bears and people from disastrous Arctic drilling. Also in this issue: how wildlife crossings fight extinction, Florida’s towers of toxic waste, the costs of public-lands grazing and more.
We make this members-only newsletter available to online supporters to thank you for taking action — but please consider becoming a member today and helping even more. Just call us toll free at 1-866-357-3349 x 323 or visit our website to learn more and donate [[link removed]] .

A Reprieve for Midwest Wolves — No Hunts This Fall
Sigh of relief: There will be no fall hunts across the Midwest this year [[link removed]] — none in Wisconsin, none in Michigan, and none in Minnesota. Back in July Minnesota decided not to hold a hunt this year; in Michigan recreational wolf-hunting is still, for the moment, illegal; and last week Wisconsin announced it wasn’t issuing wolf-killing licenses this fall.
As we await a ruling on our case challenging Trump’s removal of protections, it’ll be a breath of crisp, autumnal air to know the Midwest’s wolves are safe from officially sanctioned slaughter during these months — and that the Center’s members and supporters, as well as our staff, have been playing a key role in stepping up to defend the lives of wolves.

Exxon Oil-Trucking Plan On Thin Ice
In the face of fierce opposition from a coalition of environmental and Native groups, including the Center, the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission just voted to recommend nixing ExxonMobil’s plan to truck oil along California highways. The plan would have let Exxon restart three ancient offshore drilling platforms and make up to 24,800 oil-filled tanker trips per year — for up to seven years — along hazardous and sensitive coastal and inland routes.
“The recent offshore oil spill, wildfire that threatened Exxon’s onshore facility, and nearby crude oil tanker crash spotlight why Santa Barbara County can’t afford to greenlight risky and dirty projects like this,” said Center attorney Julie Teel Simmonds.
Thanks to all you Center supporters who’ve opposed this plan — you’re making a difference.

Elegies for the Lost 23
The Fish and Wildlife Service recently declared 23 species extinct, from a tiny catfish and several colorful mussels to some of the world’s most spectacular birds. Without swift and powerful action, our planet risks losing a million more species in the coming decades to the wildlife extinction crisis.
Read the stories of the lost 23 species [[link removed]] . Then take action to save countless more [[link removed]] .

Revelator : All Climate Activists Should Read This Book
Climate change is hurting the Global South — and communities of color in the Global North — most. That’s one reason we need environmental justice at the heart of climate action, writes Ugandan activist Vanessa Nakate.
Read an excerpt from her new book [[link removed]] , A Bigger Picture , in The Revelator now. And if you haven’t yet, subscribe to The Revelator ’s weekly newsletter [[link removed]] .

That’s Wild: Fungus Makes Flies Frisky, Dead
Entomophthora muscae is a pathogenic fungus that infects houseflies. When it gets into a fly’s brain, it drives the insect to crawl or fly to a high vantage point to die. Then the fungus ejects its tiny white spores from the fly’s body, dusting the area around the corpse. Any flies paying their respects get infected too.
But new research reveals an even eerier aspect to the fungus: It seems to release some kind of aphrodisiac that lures male flies to mate with females who’ve already perished of the disease. And while simple contact is enough to infect a fly, vigorous mating lets loose a cloud of deadly spores — ensuring still broader infection rates.
Read more in Science . [[link removed]]

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Center for Biological Diversity
P.O. Box 710
Tucson, AZ 85702
United States