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No. 1276, December 19, 2024 |
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15 Wins, From Hellbenders to Cuckoo Bumblebees |
This month the Center for Biological Diversity has won new protections or proposals for 15 species (counting the monarchs and giraffes we’ve already told you about). Those successes include proposed Endangered Species Act protection for marvelous hellbenders, the giant eastern salamanders we’ve been working for since 2010.
“I burst into happy tears when I heard,” said the Center’s Tierra Curry, who also says she has “the warm fuzzies for these cold slimies.”
Three Brazilian butterflies, a New Mexico chipmunk, and a New Mexico flower received final protection; in the Caribbean, pillar corals got increased safeguards. Newly proposed for protection along with hellbenders — so, not over the finish line yet — were four skink species in the Caribbean, parasitical Suckley’s cuckoo bumblebees, and Pecos pupfish in the Permian Basin.
Take action to protect habitat for other species in the Permian Basin ecosystem. |
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Danger: Oil Lease Sale Could Desecrate the Arctic |
An auction will be held early next month that could desecrate the pristine wilderness of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge with oil wells — potentially doing serious harm to polar bears, caribou, Arctic foxes, and the many other animals who live there. The last time an auction like this was held, just days before Trump left office in 2021, the refuge was sold off for only $25 an acre.
The Center will fight all attempts to allow oil activity in this precious place — as we have for decades.
You can help with a gift to the Alaska and Arctic Defense Fund. Thanks to a generous champion of the Arctic, your gift will be matched. |
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West Coast Whale Entanglements at Six-Year High |
NOAA Fisheries released preliminary data showing that, off the U.S. West Coast in 2024, fishing gear has entangled 34 whales, mostly humpbacks — more whales than in any other year since 2018. Right after the data was released, whale watchers spotted another entangled humpback near Orange County, California.
“It’s completely unacceptable that so many whales are still becoming entangled after a decade of attention to this awful problem,” said Center attorney Catherine Kilduff. “Pop-up fishing gear is a win-win solution, and agencies should authorize its use immediately. Whales trying to survive while wrapped up in fishing rope face an absolutely brutal challenge, and entanglements can cause fin amputations, wounds, and painfully slow deaths.”
Tell NOAA Fisheries to support the widespread adoption of whale-safe fishing gear. |
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What’s Next for Colorado’s Wolves |
On Dec. 10, 2023 wolves were released into the Colorado wild as the start of a voter-approved reintroduction of gray wolves to the state. For wolf-lovers it was an emotional, historic day.
A year later the majority of these wolves are thriving, and the state is preparing for more releases in early 2025.
To support the success of the upcoming releases, state wildlife officials have developed an expanded plan to minimize conflict with livestock. The improvements include more program staff, faster response to livestock deaths, and a robust range rider program. And the Center and our allies continue to push back against industry bullies trying to undermine the will of voters.
We’re looking forward to the next phase of reintroducing wolves to the Colorado wilderness where they belong. |
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Mexico Urged to Protect Chocolate Chip Sea Cucumbers |
The Center just petitioned Mexico to protect chocolate chip sea cucumbers, amazing marine invertebrates who look like they’re made out of cookie dough. New science shows they’ve suffered a 90% population decline in under two decades, mostly due to illegal fishing and exploitation.
“Mexico urgently needs to crack down on illegal fishing and promote habitat restoration to prevent the total collapse of this sea cucumber population,” said Center biologist Alejandro Olivera. |
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The Revelator: Books to Inspire |
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That's Wild: World’s Oldest Known Bird Lays New Egg |
Wisdom the Laysan albatross, or mōlī, is now at least 74 years old — and eternally young, apparently. First banded by scientists in 1956, she's just laid an egg on Midway Atoll in the Pacific Ocean — to become, we hope, the most recent of more than 30 chicks Wisdom has raised to fledglings.
Not only has she survived a deadly 2011 tsunami, predators, and ocean pollution, but the queen of seabirds is believed to have flown more than 3 million miles in her long lifetime.
Some bird.
Watch Wisdom with her new egg and mate on Facebook or Instagram. |
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Center for Biological Diversity | Saving Life on Earth
Donate now to support the Center's work.
Photo credits: Hellbenders by David Herasimtschuk; polar bear by Lisa Hupp/USFWS, Arctic fox by Erik F. Brandsborg/USFWS; an entangled North Atlantic right whale and her calf courtesy Georgia Department of Natural Resource; screenshot of wolf video by Jerry Neal/CPW; chocolate chip sea cucumber by Laszlo Ilyes; book covers courtesy the publishers; screenshot of bird video courtesy USFWS. View our privacy policy. |
Center for Biological Diversity
P.O. Box 710
Tucson, AZ 85702
United States
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