Environment · category
Wildlife
- 1Trump plan to weaken Endangered Species Act borrows from Scalia dissent●Trump's sneaky plan to gut Endangered Species Act draws from 1995 Scalia dissent
The Trump administration is pursuing changes that would significantly weaken the Endangered Species Act, and the legal strategy draws heavily on a 1995 dissent written by the late Justice Antonin Scalia. That opinion argued for narrowing the law's application to critical habitats. Conservation groups are expected to challenge the approach in court as an attempt to roll back protections through regulatory reinterpretation rather than legislation.
- 2Asian demand reshapes Africa's wildlife trade from donkeys to sharks▼From donkeys to sharks, Asian demand reshapes Africa’s wildlife trade
New reporting highlights how demand from Asian markets is transforming wildlife trade across Africa, with species ranging from donkeys to sharks increasingly targeted for export. Donkeys are in demand for products such as ejiao, a traditional Chinese gelatin, while sharks are sought for fins and other goods. Conservationists warn the trade is putting pressure on African wildlife populations and rural communities that rely on them.
- 3Trump Administration Targets Wildlife Corridor for Critical Minerals●The Trump Administration’s Critical Minerals Agenda Comes for America’s ‘Forgotten Wildlife Corridor’
The Trump administration is pushing its critical minerals agenda into a region known as America's 'forgotten wildlife corridor', raising concerns that mining expansion will threaten habitat connectivity for wildlife. Coverage from Inside Climate News highlights the conflict between mineral extraction priorities and conservation of a landscape long valued by environmental groups.
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A federal memo would exempt the accidental killing of endangered species from liability under the Endangered Species Act. The proposal, reported by Montana outlet Flathead Beacon, would shield parties from penalties when protected animals are killed unintentionally. Environmental advocates are expected to push back, arguing it could weaken protections for at-risk wildlife such as grizzly bears and wolves in regions like the northern Rockies.
- 5Mega-dairies pushing UK nature to breaking point●Rise of 'mega-dairies' pushing nature to breaking point
The Wildlife Trusts warns that the rise of industrial-scale 'mega-dairies' in Britain is driving wildlife and habitats towards a breaking point. The conservation group says intensive dairy farming practices, including the loss of grazing pastures and increased pollution, are putting pressure on nature. It is calling for changes to farming policy to protect the countryside.
- 6Trump administration weakens Endangered Species Act protections▼President Trump guts the Endangered Species Act: Also, more mining claims filed in Bears Ears National Monument — Jonathan P. Thompson (LandDesk.org)
The Trump administration is moving to significantly weaken the Endangered Species Act, a move environmental writer Jonathan P. Thompson describes as 'gutting' the landmark law. In the same report, Thompson notes a rise in mining claims filed inside Bears Ears National Monument in Utah, suggesting reduced protections there too. The combination has alarmed conservationists who see both steps as opening protected lands and wildlife to industrial development.
- 7Poachers Behead Deer in Angeles National Forest●Wildlife Officials: Poachers Kill, Behead Deer in Angeles National Forest
Wildlife officials in California are investigating after poachers killed and beheaded deer in Angeles National Forest. The incident, reported by local outlet MyNewsLA, has drawn attention to illegal hunting in the area and concerns over the targeting of trophy parts such as heads and antlers.
- 8Fourteen US projects to protect wildlife corridors across 206,000 acres▼Fourteen US projects will restore or protect wildlife movement across more than 206,000 acres and improve
Fourteen projects across the United States will restore or protect wildlife movement over more than 206,000 acres, aiming to reconnect habitats and improve conditions for migratory and local species. The announcement is drawing attention from conservation observers as one of the larger coordinated efforts to address habitat fragmentation in the country.
- 9Trump administration weighs baseball stadium in Grand Teton National Park●Outrageous. # Trump administration considers building baseball # stadium in # GrandTetonNationalPark Major League Baseba
The Trump administration is considering building a baseball stadium in Grand Teton National Park. Major League Baseball reportedly contacted the administration about hosting a game in a national park, and an agency official scouted Grand Teton this week as a possible location. Critics are calling the proposal outrageous, arguing it threatens protected public land.
- 10Trump Border Wall Damages Ancient Arizona Geoglyph Older Than Stonehenge▼Center for Biological Diversity Reports Sacred Arizona Archaeological Site Damaged by Trump’s Wall Predates Stonehenge; Geoglyph in National Wildlife Refuge is Oldest in Americas
The Center for Biological Diversity says a sacred archaeological site in an Arizona national wildlife refuge has been damaged by construction of the Trump-era border wall. The group reports the geoglyph predates Stonehenge and is the oldest known in the Americas, raising concerns over destruction of Indigenous cultural heritage along the border.
- 11Beavers released into desert to save dying river show results●Beavers were brought to the desert to save a dying river. 6 years later, here are the results.
Beavers were introduced to a desert river six years ago in an effort to restore a waterway that was dying. The results of that experiment are now being reported, and the story is drawing attention for its unusual premise: using a rodent famous for dam-building to bring life back to an arid landscape. Restoration projects like this are closely watched as a possible model for reviving degraded rivers elsewhere.
- 12Wildlife Community Mourns Photographer Of Yellowstone's Oldest Wolf▼Wildlife World Grieves Photographer Known For Iconic Images Of Yellowstone's Oldest Wolf
The wildlife photography and conservation community is mourning the death of a photographer known for capturing iconic images of Yellowstone National Park's oldest wolf. According to Cowboy State Daily, the photographer documented the famous animal over the years, producing images that became closely associated with the park's wolf story. Colleagues and admirers are paying tribute to the photographer's work and its role in bringing the wolf's story to the public.
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Reporting traces the wildlife trafficking route out of Chattogram, Bangladesh, following how animals and forest products move from forests through local markets and onward through trade networks. The investigation highlights the scale of the illegal trade and the gaps in enforcement that allow it to continue. It has drawn attention to the pressures on the region's biodiversity and the need for stronger protection measures.
- 14Yellowstone to Yukon wildlife corridor marks decades of reconnection●In 1993, a project set out to reconnect wildlife habitat from Yellowstone to Canada's Yukon; its partners
Launched in 1993, the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative set out to reconnect wildlife habitat across a vast corridor stretching from Yellowstone National Park to Canada's Yukon. Its partners have worked across borders to link protected areas so animals like grizzly bears and wolves can move freely. The effort is being highlighted as one of the world's most ambitious landscape-scale conservation projects.
- 15Wolves kill or injure dozens of California farm animals▼Wolves kill or injure dozens of farm animals across California in 2026: CDFW report
A new report from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife shows wolves killed or injured dozens of farm animals across the state in 2026. The findings highlight the ongoing tension between the returning wolf population and ranchers, who have increasingly reported livestock losses as wolf packs expand their range in Northern California.
- 16Georgia officials announce restoration deal for Pine Log Wildlife Management Area▼Georgia Department of Natural Resources and partners announce deal to restore beloved Pine Log Pine Log Wildlife Management Area
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources and partner organisations have announced an agreement to restore the Pine Log Wildlife Management Area, a popular outdoor destination in the state. The deal is intended to revive habitats and public access at the site, which conservationists and local residents have long valued for hunting, hiking and wildlife viewing.
- 17Colorado Rolls Out the Welcome Mat for Beavers▼Giving a Dam. How #Colorado Is Making Beavers Welcome Across the State: #Beaver are having a moment — Frani Halperin (H2ORadio.org)
Beavers are having a moment in Colorado, with the state increasingly embracing the animals as partners in restoration. Reporting by Frani Halperin of H2ORadio highlights how Colorado is making beavers welcome across the state, reflecting a broader shift toward using the rodents' dams to restore streams, store water, and improve habitat rather than treating them as nuisances.
- 18Hunter Catches 96 Pythons, Wins Everglades Challenge Top Prize●One Hunter Caught 96 Pythons in the Everglades and Walked Away With the Top Prize
A hunter captured 96 Burmese pythons in the Florida Everglades and took first place, and the top prize, in the annual Python Challenge, a competition aimed at curbing the invasive snake species devastating local wildlife. The haul highlights the scale of the python problem in the Everglades, where the snakes have wiped out large numbers of mammals, and celebrates individual efforts to control their spread.
- 19New penguin species reported in first discovery in over a century●Amazing new penguin discovered for first time in over 100 years
Reports say a previously unknown penguin has been identified, described as the first such discovery in more than 100 years. The claim is circulating through wildlife media, drawing attention from bird and conservation enthusiasts. Few details are available so far about where the bird was found, how it was confirmed as a distinct species, or its population status.
- 20Volunteers Clean Up Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge▼Volunteers clean up Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge for Public Lands Day
Volunteers gathered at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma to take part in a cleanup effort marking Public Lands Day. The event, covered by local news, saw participants help remove litter and maintain the refuge's natural areas. Public Lands Day is an annual occasion encouraging Americans to give back to public lands through volunteer service, with similar cleanups taking place at sites nationwide.
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Fat Bear Week, Katmai National Park's annual bracket contest where the public votes for the brown bear that has best fattened up before hibernation, is underway for 2026. Fans follow daily matchups of bears at Brooks River, celebrating the animals' preparation for winter and raising awareness of salmon ecosystems. Supporters are picking favorites and arguing their cases online.
- 22Utah Wildlife Board Approves New Fishing and Elk Hunting Rules▼Utah Wildlife Board Approves Changes to Fishing Regulations, Elk Hunting Rules, and Conservation Permits
The Utah Wildlife Board has approved changes to the state's fishing regulations, elk hunting rules, and conservation permit system. The decisions will affect how anglers and hunters operate across Utah, with updated permit allocations and rule adjustments aimed at managing wildlife resources. Local outdoors outlets are reporting on the changes as hunters and anglers prepare for the upcoming seasons.
- 23Raid on Australian home seizes coastal taipan and 85 other animals▼Australia raid seizes coastal taipan, 21 other venomous snakes, and 86 animals from home
Authorities in Australia have seized a coastal taipan, 21 other venomous snakes and dozens more animals from a private home following a raid. The total haul came to 86 animals, highlighting the ongoing problem of illegal wildlife keeping and trafficking in the country. The case has drawn attention to the risks of keeping highly venomous species in residential areas.
- 24Young New Zealanders driving a birding boom●There’s a fantastic article on the front page of the # RNZ website this morning about the rise of birding amongst young
RNZ is featuring a front-page article on the growing popularity of birding among young people in New Zealand. Young birders are becoming significant contributors to citizen science platforms eBird and iNaturalist, with one enthusiast quoted saying he does not mind getting wet, rained on or muddy in pursuit of birds. Readers online are praising the coverage and celebrating the trend.
- 25Wyoming Hunter Tags Rare Antelope-Mule Deer Crossbreed▼Hunter Tags Rare Antelope Mule Deer Crossbreed in Central Wyoming A Wyoming hunter has reportedly harvested what wildlife officials believe may be an extremely rare cross between a pronghorn antelope and a mule deer. The animal was taken Saturday
A hunter in central Wyoming has reportedly harvested an animal that wildlife officials believe may be an extremely rare crossbreed between a pronghorn antelope and a mule deer. The animal was taken on Saturday. Such hybrids are exceptionally uncommon, as the two species differ genetically, and officials are expected to examine the animal to confirm its unusual parentage.