Animals Most at Risk as Trump Rolls Back Wildlife Protections
Summary
President Donald Trump’s administration finalized new rules changing how the Endangered Species Act (ESA) works. The rules limit protections by focusing only on direct harm to animals, rather than damage to their habitats, drawing concern from environmental groups about risks to wildlife.Key Facts
- The new rule narrows the definition of "harm" to mean only direct injury or death of protected animals, not harm to their habitats.
- The Departments of the Interior and Commerce issued the change.
- Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the change would reduce government interference for landowners and businesses.
- Critics say the change threatens species by allowing habitat destruction from development, mining, and energy projects.
- Species likely impacted include northern spotted owls, Florida manatees, Florida panthers, monarch butterflies, wolverines, and Atlantic salmon.
- The ESA has helped save species like bald eagles by protecting their habitats.
- The Trump administration argues the rule respects recent Supreme Court limitations on federal agency power.
- Environmentalists are preparing legal challenges against the new rule, saying it risks extinction for many species.
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