Wildlife advocates say there s been a shift in public opinion about the value of wildlife over the past few decades, with people supporting protections over exploitation, and they want to make 2024 another turning point. Lindsay Larris, climate and energy director for New Mexico-based Earth Guardians, said historically, wildlife management was rooted in permitting wildlife to exist as long as it did not interfere with human interests. In New Mexico it is even more complicated, she explained, when the needs of wildlife are pitted against the state s billion-dollar fossil-fuel industry. .
The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission has decided to list Southern Resident orcas as an endangered species. With it comes guidelines for how the decision will protect the remaining population of about 74 West Coast whales. Ben Enticknap, Pacific Project manager and senior scientist for Oceana, said ensuring the orcas have enough salmon to eat is the main barrier, and the federal government, Washington state, tribes and the public sector were working on this prior to Oregon s listing decision. .
In the wake of the latest, highly contagious bird flu outbreak in Arkansas and across the country, Congress is considering a bill to improve the monitoring of wildlife diseases.
Oregon officials are considering providing additional protections to orcas in the region. The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will decide on Friday if Southern Resident orcas should be listed as endangered in the state. Kathleen Callaghy is the Northwest representative for Defenders of Wildlife. .
In the wake of the latest, highly contagious bird flu outbreak in Arkansas and across the country, Congress is considering a bill to improve the monitoring of wildlife diseases. The Wildlife Disease Surveillance for Pandemic Prevention Act aims to strengthen monitoring and response systems for illnesses with the potential to affect humans. Miles Goggans, board member of the Arkansas Wildlife Federation, said the bill is critically needed, because it would establish systems to detect outbreaks early and collect data on their spread. .