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No. 1317, October 2, 2025 |
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Win Could Boost Protection for Streaked Horned Larks |
In response to a lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity and Bird Alliance of Oregon, a judge has struck down a federal finding that streaked horned larks should be protected as only threatened — not endangered — under the Endangered Species Act. The agency now has a year to reconsider whether the larks deserve an endangered listing, which would give them the full protection they need — and remove a rule that leaves them vulnerable to harm from agricultural activities.
These small, ground-nesting birds have a distinctive black face mask and adorable feather-tuft “horns” on their heads. Only about 1,170 to 1,610 are left, all in southwest Washington and western Oregon, and most of their natural prairie habitat is gone. We’ve been fighting for them since 2002.
“I’m thrilled the court recognized that the Service shortchanged these stunning larks by dismissing how their small populations increase extinction risk,” said the Center’s Ryan Shannon.
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| Trump Takes Aim at 11 Lookalike Species |
The Trump administration just proposed removing or weakening protections for 11 species that look like endangered species. Those protections exist because it’s easy to mistake some animals and plants for others, so the safe thing to do is help law enforcement fight wildlife crime by eliminating confusion over whether a specimen is protected.
If the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service strips protection from pumas, it could hurt endangered Florida panthers. If it takes them away from butterflies like the cassius blue, ceraunus blue, and nickerbean blue, that could hurt endangered Miami blue butterflies. Other protected species at issue include pallid sturgeons, bog turtles, desert tortoises, and Pearl River map turtles. “Nothing has changed for pumas or blue butterflies. They still look like they did yesterday,” said Center attorney Lia Comerford. “These protections are still sorely needed.” Help the Center defend against this administration’s assault on species — endangered or not — with a gift to our Future for the Wild Fund.
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In Memoriam: Jane Goodall |
The conservation world lost one of its guiding lights on Wednesday when renowned primatologist Jane Goodall passed away at 91.
Over 65 years studying chimpanzees in the wild, Goodall proved that primates are a lot like people. Among other revolutionary findings, she showed they can make and use their own tools and have unique personalities. But her impact reaches far beyond chimps.
“Jane Goodall's legacy will be forever celebrated,” said the Center’s Tierra Curry. “She died with a hammer in her hands, spreading good in the world, having inspired millions of people to take action on behalf of all that is wild and beautiful. She overcame obstacles, broke gender barriers, and made a career in conservation seem within reach for women and girls around the world. She was an amazing force for nature, and now we need to carry her mantle on.”
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Suit Challenges Failure to Protect Rare Crayfish |
This week the Center and Miami Waterkeeper sued the Fish and Wildlife Service for not meeting its obligation to finalize a decision to protect Miami cave crayfish. These cave-dwelling South Florida invertebrates are omnivorous scavengers who likely eat smaller invertebrates, bat guano, and whatever else they can find or catch in their unique, dark habitat. They live only in one underground freshwater aquifer, where saltwater — which kills them — is seeping in due to sea-level rise.
Responding to our 2010 petition, the Service finally proposed to protect the species in 2023 — but never moved beyond that step. Our legal action could change that. |
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Our New Podcast, ‘Sounds Wild,’ Launches Today |
The Center just launched a new podcast focused on endangered wildlife, the extinction crisis, and saving life on Earth. Sounds Wild, hosted by Mike Stark and Vanessa Barchfield, features interviews with experts at the Center and beyond about some of the most important issues of our time. The first episode features an in-depth discussion about extinction with Tierra Curry, codirector of our Endangered Species program.
Over the next 10 weeks, Sounds Wild will dive deep into a range of topics, including red wolves, whales, jaguars, and the future of birds.
Tune in to the first episode. (And hit that share button when you’re done.)
You can also find it on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
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The Revelator: Incredible Journeys |
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That’s Wild: Poo Cam Stealth-Babysits an Elephant |
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Center for Biological Diversity | Saving Life on Earth
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Photo credits: Streaked horned lark by Dave Leonard/USFWS; desert tortoise by Utahcamera/Wikimedia, Miami blue butterfly © Jaret C. Daniels McGuire/Center for Lepidoptera Biodiversity, Florida panther by Connie Bransilver/USFWS; Jane Goodall courtesy Simon Fraser University/Wikimedia; earless monitor lizard by Chien C. Lee, Wild Borneo Photography/Wikimedia Commons; Miami Cave crayfish courtesy USFWS; Sounds Wild logo by Izzi Stein/Center for Biological Diversity, Vanessa Barchfield and Mike Stark headshots used with permission; shark by Simon Hillbourne; baby African elephant by I've Got It on Film!/Wikimedia.
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Center for Biological Diversity
P.O. Box 710
Tucson, AZ 85702
United States
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