Giraffes Are Closer to Endangered Species Act Protection

Giraffes, the world's tallest land mammals, have declined by 40 percent in only three decades. But now they have a chance at U.S. federal protection.

After legal pressure from the Center for Biological Diversity and allies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service just took a first step toward listing these extraordinary African animals under the Endangered Species Act. The agency's finding that protection "may be warranted" kicks off a deeper review and public-comment process that could lead to restrictions on importing giraffe parts and conservation funding for the species.

"We all love giraffes, but they've been undergoing a silent extinction without the public being aware of it," said the Center's Tanya Sanerib.

Read more in the StarTribune and consider giving to our Endangered Species Act Protection Fund.

Time's Running Out: Speak Up for Wolves

We're in the last, critical two-week stretch to make sure the Trump administration hears loud and clear: Americans don't want wolves to lose their federal protection.

The deadline to submit your comments to the official record is May 14. If you haven't already spoken up, defend wolves now. It only takes a few seconds.

And since the Fish and Wildlife Service has refused to hold any public hearings on wolf protection, we're holding our own. If you're in Northern California, consider going to a hearing this evening in Sacramento. We've also got one scheduled for Portland, Ore., on Monday, May 6.

The future of wolves in the lower 48 states is being decided now. Don't stay on the sidelines.

The most commonly found piece of trash on beaches across the world isn't plastic bags or straws. It's an even smaller item, containing dozens of dangerous chemicals that threaten wildlife and water: cigarette butts. Watch this new video on Facebook or YouTube and get more from The Revelator.

Fighting Trump's Thirst for Oil

After a huge wave of public opposition, President Trump's Interior Department is putting on hold its plan to massively expand oil and gas drilling off America's coasts. That's a relief — and encouragement to keep resisting Trump's worst ideas. Thanks to those who spoke out.

But the fight goes on. Last week the administration released a draft plan to reopen more than 1 million acres of public land and mineral estate in California to drilling and fracking.

"Trump is dead set on letting oil and gas companies dig up every last drop of dirty fuel," said the Center's Clare Lakewood.

Read more in the Los Angeles Times.

Jaguars Can't Use Google Maps

Trump's Fish and Wildlife Service has released a laughably weak recovery plan for endangered borderlands jaguars. It pins all responsibility for ensuring the cats' survival on Mexico — and falsely states that just two unwalled border sections will be enough to let this wide-ranging animal move freely in its habitat.

"Jaguars can't use Google Maps to find tiny gaps in hundreds of miles of impermeable walls," said the Center's Michael Robinson. "Without reintroduction in the Southwest and cross-border connectivity, isolation and genetic problems may doom jaguars in northern Mexico."

Jaguar recovery in the United States is also threatened by the proposed Rosemont mine in Arizona. We're fighting the wall and the mine.

Tell Applebee's to Join the Meat-free Movement

Burger King recently joined a growing list of restaurants offering plant-based options, announcing the rollout of a new, plant-based Impossible Whopper. It has a carbon footprint 89 percent smaller than a beef burger, using 87 percent less water and 96 percent less land.

That's good for the planet. But to curb climate change, we need greener options everywhere people eat. Applebee's, with more than 1,900 U.S. restaurants, is the largest chain that still doesn't offer a single plant-based entrée.

Send Applebee's a message on Facebook or Twitter that it's time to join the movement. Sample post: "Hey, @Applebees — a #neighborhooddrink might be nice if we had options for #plantbased entrées. When can we look forward to a change?"

Wild & Weird: Life at a Hydrothermal Vent

You might expect a deep-sea vent, gushing hydrothermal fluid that reaches temps of 642 degrees Fahrenheit, to be a dead zone. But our new video of a vent two miles beneath the surface of the ocean, near Marianas Trench Marine National Monument, shows it's bustling with life: Chorocaris shrimp, Munidopsis squat lobsters, Austinograea crabs, limpets, mussels and snails. Watch on Facebook or YouTube.