Center for Biological Diversity

Meet Craig! He's one of the Amboseli-West Kilimanjaro elephants, a beloved and intensively studied population that range between Kenya and Tanzania. For 30 years these famed cross-border elephants have been safe from trophy hunters — but not anymore. Please take action to #SaveCraigAndCo. 🐘 🐘 🐘 https://biodiv.us/3VZjjLX The United States is the primary importer of Tanzanian elephant trophies. And at least one of five male elephants recently lost was killed by a Texas hunter. Shutting down the U.S. market could really help protect these elephants from trophy hunters' bullets. That's why we're asking you to tell U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams to ban all imports of elephant trophies from the Amboseli-West Kilimanjaro elephant population. 🐘 🐘 🐘 https://biodiv.us/3VZjjLX

At long last: In response to decades of advocacy from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed protecting critical habitat for the endangered Barrens topminnow, an iridescent green fish from central Tennessee. Critical habitat designation is an additional layer of protection for endangered animals and plants that requires the Fish and Wildlife Service to review any federally funded or permitted activities to make sure the places they live aren’t harmed. Critical habitat is key to the survival of endangered species. Our study found that plants and animals with federally protected critical habitat are more than *twice* as likely to be moving toward recovery than species without it. One way we defend biodiversity is by constantly working to ensure that *every* species listed under the Act is granted critical habitat. Long live the Barrens topminnow!

Calling on our @centerforbiodiv community! 🙌 We're thrilled to be nominated for the Charity Navigator Community Choice Awards, and we need your votes to secure this honor. Vote now: https://biodiv.us/3W6lwoJ Every vote counts, and your support can help us continue our mission of saving life on Earth. Let's rally together and show everyone the power of our community. Click the link to vote and spread the word by sharing this post. #CommunityChoiceAwards https://biodiv.us/3W6lwoJ

Food X is our monthly newsletter written by Senior Food Campaigner Jennifer Molidor exploring the complex world of food and solutions to help stop the extinction crisis. In the latest issue, Jennifer discusses ways that food waste harms wildlife. Check it out — and then sign up to get the newsletter in your inbox. https://bit.ly/3La1xR3

Halting the extinction crisis isn’t just about saving a species when it’s dwindled to only a few. It’s vital that we keep track of animals and plants as they begin to decline so we can intervene with solutions before it’s too late. A recent study offered a sobering global assessment of where things stand with all types of species. Among the findings were that 63% of all amphibian species are in decline, as are 56% of mammal species and 53% of birds. The Center fights wildlife decline by protecting habitat, reining in pollution and wildlife exploitation, and battling industrial agriculture and climate change. Thank you for being our partner in saving species.

“The latest SpaceX Starship launch in June deposited mud, ash and chunks of sheet metal across a large area of sand flats that destroyed nine bird nests up to 500 metres away, according to a report by a local conservation group. The Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program found ‘bloody egg contents’ beside the nests of terns and plovers that they had observed intact the day before the June 6 launch.” The area around the SpaceX launch site in Boca Chica, TX, is important habitat for wildlife including piping plovers, northern aplomado falcons, Gulf Coast jaguarundi, ocelots, and the critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle. The Times of London talked with Center co-founder Peter Galvin about our work to protect this biodiversity hotspot. https://bit.ly/3zJbItf

The Amboseli-West Kilimanjaro elephants are a very special, much-loved, and deeply studied population of elephants in Kenya and Tanzania. For 30 years they were safe from trophy hunting — but no longer. Over the past nine months, five mature males have been killed by trophy hunters. They need help, and that’s where the Center comes in. Along with our allies, today we petitioned the U.S. government to stop imports of trophies from the Amboseli population. “My heart is breaking for these elephants and the scientists who know them like family. I’m enraged that anyone would allow members of this cherished and famous population to be shot down for sport,” said our International Legal Director Tanya Sanerib. Watch this space: Soon we’ll share a way you can help support our petition. In the meantime, please share this post to raise awareness of these very special elephants.

Weddings have a bigger climate impact than many people realize. Between the travel, food served, flowers, and more, the average wedding produces more greenhouse gas emissions than driving 146,000 miles. Our Population and Sustainability communications associate Linda Rico shares suggestions on how keep the climate in mind while you plan your celebration. ttps://bit.ly/3RV55ua

Wilson’s phalarope is the bird that connects. This new High Country News article is a deep dive into our Endangered Species Act petition for Wilson’s phalarope, why it’s important, and the scientists we partnered with. https://bit.ly/3ztopIN

Did you hear the good news? Colorado wildlife managers have confirmed that a pair of Colorado’s newly reintroduced wolves have had a pup! The new wolf family has been named the Copper Creek Pack. Although only one pup was verified, Colorado Parks and Wildlife says others may be present; a typical litter consists of four to six pups. “It’s so exciting to be witnessing the early days of wolves’ return to Colorado,” said our Southern Rockies Director Alli Henderson. “With wolf families gone from Colorado for nearly a century, this pup’s arrival is a huge conservation milestone. Wolves belong here, and I’m so glad they’re back.” Images of the pup aren’t available to the public, but here’s footage of the thrilling Colorado wolf reintroduction from December 2023. 📹 by Colorado Parks & Wildlife