Respectfully enjoying wildlife in the natural environment is an incredible way to spend one’s time.
The beauty of the natural world awakens the senses and refreshes the soul. But far too often, people encounter wildlife the wrong way: by harassment, torture and killing.
FoA’s Wildlife Law Program is dedicated to exposing the mistreatment of wildlife at the hands of humans, and to helping local governments and communities learn about all the ways in which people can effectively reduce, and eventually eliminate, perceived conflicts with wildlife.
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Unfortunately, not all wildlife encounters are equal. Throughout the United States, federal, state and local governments are using human/wildlife “conflict” as an excuse to kill wildlife. For most of us, encountering wildlife is a wonderful experience. From seeing geese and squirrels to observing bears and mountain lions, most of us yearn for even a fleeting glimpse of wildlife in their natural habitat. But rather than finding ways for humans and wildlife to co-exist, the government’s only solution seems to be – kill first and ask questions later. This can be seen in its management plans, hunting quotas, and decisions to kill animals simply because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Friends of Animals Wildlife Law Program works to stop the government from implementing theses ill-advised and barbaric plans that limit populations to unsustainable levels and often call for the massive and unnecessary slaughter of large percentages of populations. The government is proposing these actions for numerous species, and often doing so without accurate and updated data. As we watch from the sidelines, species across the nation, and the world are being unnecessarily killed because they inadvertently entered an area where humans might live or recreate and the government continues to implement aggressive plans that result in hundreds, if not thousands, of wildlife deaths.
WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS IN THE NEWS:
BLM is moving closer towards a colossal land lease sale on sage grouse habitat in Wyoming
Timeframe for slow zone extended to ensure safe passage for North Atlantic right whales, read more here
Passing the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act can make the “30 by 30” goal a reality
Trump moves to auction drilling of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge before Biden takes office
Thousands of Burmese pythons removed by use of snares in Everglades
Facial recognition applied to bears, to aid in population tracking
How listening to the ocean’s soundscapes may help save it
Inhumane trapping of wolves extended in Alaska due to interest in impact on deer hunting
Honolulu- protests hault drainage project, in effort to protect marine life
Harmful or helpful? Cement boats, structures, sunk into Atlantic ocean to create artificial reefs
Wolf reintroduction initiative passes in Colorado
Suit filed over herbicide Atrazine, responsible for killing hundreds of imperiled species
Close call between voters for reintroduction Gray wolves to Colorado
How to help wildlife with your garden
Investigation over Grand Teton wolf killing calls for help from public
Florida mute swans sold and relocated to relieve Lakeland overpopulation
Ecological destruction made by border wall impacting wildlife and communities; deemed irreversible
Great American Outdoors Act will help maintain ecosystems, wildlife territories
Past wildlife encounter news:
Days away from election, Trump exempts Tongass National Forest from Roadless Rule; subjecting 9.3million acres of once-protected forest to logging. This forest is known for its role in offsetting climate change, support to indigenous communities, and as home to an abundance of wildlife species including bald eagles, grizzly bears, and wolves. The fight against this massive rollback must continue.
North Atlantic right whale population down to 366, largely due to fishing gear entanglements, boat collisions
See the maps of Trump’s severe environmental rollbacks; and impacts on wilderness and public lands
Study finds reduction of light pollution warranted to save insects
One of two highways removed from suit challenging project threatening Florida panther
Critical habitat designation maintained for New Mexico meadow jumping mouse
U.S. denies wolverines Endangered Species Act protections
While Arizona and Grand Canyon wildlife officials move forward with lethal management plan for bison, others are working to restore ‘genetically wild’ bison herds among tribal lands, utilizing new Bison Conservation Initiative
Utah reports 258 illegal wildlife killings since beginning of fall hunting season
Maine’s recovered seal population brings unprecedented controversy
$34 million dam bypass allows cutthroat trout to access to its native spawning waters once again
California restricts rat poison use responsible for mountain lion deaths!
Pollution, collection for aquariums, and of course fishing are major contributors to Hawaii’s 45% decline in fish species– and proof that proposed expansion of protected marine habitat is necessary to ensure a healthy future for Hawaiian reefs.
Wildlife populations heavily impacted as Pacific North Western wildfires rage
Biologists request tracking assistance from public for investigation of recent songbird deaths
It is no secret that conservation organizations face redefining opportunities to support the quality of life for nonhuman animal populations, as well as individual animals. We do have the capacity to expand compassionate conservation practices
How biologists are working to save the black footed ferret from the ‘plague’
Admire from afar: Ecotourism contributes to zoonotic disease pathways
Humpback whale detangled from 4,000 lbs of fishing gear
Trump administration set to withdraw gray wolf protections by end of 2020
Final Rule allows expansion of hunting on wildlife refuge lands
Charges to be considered over a shot bison, after 125 escaped from feedlot
Bobcat and mountain lion deaths linked to rodenticide
Grand Teton National Park call for goat cull, to ‘protect’ big horn sheep. To add to the controversy, the cull may greatly disrupt the important foraging season before hibernation, for grizzly bears.
Lobster fishing to continue- with knowledge that it is harmful to endangered right whales.
Final rule extending logging in Wyoming causes concern for habitat loss for lynx, and elk
‘Room for change’ on American lands, needs to include room for wild horses and burros
Trump administration opens up new hunting areas on wildlife refuge lands, including Everglades
Mink deaths are rising in the U.S. due to COVID-19, another reason fur farms need to be shut down
U.S. allows killing of seals and sea lions in order to save salmon. Read more about these actions lacking ethics or balance here
Expansion of New Hampshire forests made to protect wildlife, habitat, and drinking water
Estimated number of captive tigers in U.S. is greater than those remaining in wild
Outbreak of chronic wasting disease has impacted 84% of Wyoming mule deer herds, while wildlife officials work under adaptable management plan to improve herd health.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife have killed a non-breeding female wolf
Will Colorado officials commit to non-lethal management of Canada geese?
‘Tailor made’ net used to save bears and cougars in Puget Sound
9th circuit court rules Yellowstone grizzly bears cannot be hunted
Decision to kill Canada geese in order to manage feces in parks ignores humane alternatives, and relies on a feel-good act of donating goose meat to veil unnecessary cruelty.
Colorado requiring purchase of hunting and fishing licenses to access public lands
All bets are off: Shark migration gambling suspended due to debate over ethics
Indigenous tribes of Washington, and researchers unite for the survival of cougars
Deep-sea mining will present risks of damage to habitats and species that may take thousands of years or more, to recover. Read more from a new report examining why mining companies don’t belong in the ocean
Highway wildlife crossings are essential for providing safety to both drivers and wildlife, and now a $250 million wildlife crossing program is part of a proposed transportation bill for Oregon
Trump’s border wall will sever decades of binational conservation and connectivity for many species, while harming border communities
Colorado proposes plan to increase cougar killing in state for at least the next decade
Colorado bans wildlife contests in Colorado
Mountain lions get endangered species protections in parts of California
Gray wolf reintroduction up to Colorado voters
Dolphins in the Louisiana Bayou Keep Dying. A Reconstruction Plan Might Make It Worse
Mountain lions force closure of Whiting Ranch in California
Human development and urbanization of landscape has had a detrimental impact on animals, especially the migration patterns of birds. A book called Where the Animals Go contains maps, illustrated from GPS data collected from various animal migration studies, that show how routes have been affected by human expansion. For example, the white stork that normally migrates to the wetlands of Southern Africa from Europe, now stops in Morocco allured by the landfills in the region.
