Save the Endangered Species Act
For more than 50 years, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has protected wildlife from extinction. Thanks to this law, 99% of listed species have been saved or are on the path to recovery.
Now, proposed changes by the Administration threaten to weaken the ESA and put some of our most vulnerable wildlife — including wolves, grizzly bears, and other carnivores — at serious risk.
What’s Happening
The Administration has proposed several changes to how endangered and threatened species are protected. These changes would make it easier for development and industry to take priority over wildlife and habitat, even on public lands.
If approved, these revisions would undermine decades of conservation progress.
Why These Changes Are Dangerous
The proposed changes would:
Put profits before wildlife by allowing economic interests to outweigh habitat protection
Weaken protections for threatened species by eliminating the blanket 4(d) rule
Politicize species listings by allowing cost and economic impact to influence decisions that should be based on science
Limit habitat protections by excluding areas species may need in the future due to climate change, migration, or recovery efforts
Together, these changes would make it harder to protect species before they reach extinction.
Why the ESA Matters
The Endangered Species Act was designed to act early, before wildlife disappears forever. With climate change, habitat loss, and increasing development, strong enforcement of the ESA is more important than ever.
Weakening this law puts wildlife, ecosystems, and future generations at risk.
Take Action: Submit a Public Comment by December 22
Public comments matter. Federal agencies are required to consider them, and strong public opposition can stop harmful regulations from moving forward. Use our template letter on our Action Alerts page to submit a public comment by December 22, 2025.
You can also donate directly to OAA at ohioanimaladvocates.org/donate.
