Topic: Defenders of Wildlife

No-kill wolf ban spurs nonlethal options

For the past year, Oregon has been a 'wolf-safe' zone, with ranchers turning to nonlethal ways to protect livestock. While the number of wolves has gone up, livestock kills haven't.

Senate freshmen: What the 14 new members bring to Capitol Hill

A freshman Senate class was sworn in Jan. 3, bringing diverse skills and experience – not to mention agendas – to the legislative body. Whether the 14 newest senators help break partisan gridlock, or refuse to work across the aisle, will be the test for the 113th Congress.Twelve were elected on Nov. 6, including three Republicans, eight Democrats, and an independent. In addition, a Republican and a Democrat were appointed to vacant seats after the election. Here is a look at the 14 and what they bring to the Senate:

Clean energy 'gold rush' in Mojave spurs backlash

Clean energy projects in California are thriving. But environmentalists worry about impact of clean energy companies on Mojave Desert.

Global warming a threat to polar bears? Judge orders review of US rule.

A judge rules that the US has met its obligations for protecting polar bears, but ordered a review of a special rule that excludes greenhouse gases from the list of threats to the bears.

Budget bill cuts federal wolf protection. Environmentalists howling.

After being hunted to near-extinction, wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains have recovered due to federal management under the Endangered Species Act. But wolves will be "delisted" under a rider to the recent budget bill, and environmentalists are howling.

BP report on cause of Gulf oil spill spreads the blame

Human and mechanical failures led to the Deepwater Horizon blast and the subsequent Gulf oil spill, finds a BP report released Wednesday. Transocean and Halliburton are also cited.

Obama's new offshore oil drilling rules: too many loopholes?

The White House’s new guidelines for offshore oil drilling in deep water were intended to make it tougher for oil companies to avoid detailed environmental reviews.

In Gulf oil spill, how helpful – or damaging – are dispersants?

The one BP is using to break up the Gulf oil spill has been approved by the EPA. But it's an older mixture that contains toxic ingredients, and it's not among the top tier of recommended dispersants.

Gulf of Mexico oil spill imperils Obama's offshore drilling plan

President Obama's plan to open new swaths of coastline to offshore drilling is being questioned anew in light of the potentially disastrous Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Politics of the pending climate-energy bill may be affected, too.

Obama seeks compromise in offshore drilling plan

Offshore drilling for oil and gas will expand to new areas under President Obama's drilling plan, announced Wednesday. But the plan also keeps some sensitive environmental areas off-limits.

Conservationists tell commercial bumblebees to buzz off

Commercially produced bumblebees may be detrimental to wild bumblebees.

Endangered Florida panthers feel the squeeze

The big cats need plenty of space, which can put them in conflict with expanding development in the state.

Wolf update: Judge rules that hunts can continue

Russian oil rigs just 45 miles from Florida?

Cuba will allow Russia to look for oil and gas in its territorial waters. Environmentalists cringe, but the industry says its time for the US to look for more oil in the Gulf of Mexico, too.

The gray wolf heads back to court

Sarah Palin blasts Defenders of Wildlife for new anti-Palin campaign

Sarah Palin responds to a Defenders of Wildlife ad campaign targeting her support of aerial wolf hunting.

Howls of protest greet Mexican wolf reintroduction

New Mexico program faces higher hurdles than similar one in Yellowstone.

White House removes protections for endangered species

With just over a month remaining in office, the Bush administration loosened federal protection of plant and animal species threatened with extinction.

Are they really going to gut the Endangered Species Act?

The White House is proposing to let federal agencies decide for themselves whether construction projects could harm listed species.

On U.S. coasts, a rethink on oil drilling?

High gas prices may soften the opposition of some states to offshore drilling.

On U.S. coasts, a rethink on oil drilling?

High gas prices may soften the opposition of some states to offshore drilling.

Delisting of wolves raises hackles

With wolves’ numbers rising, federal government – and many in West – want to take them off endangered species list. Environmentalists warn that it’s too soon.

Journalist gains readers when his copy turns up, unexpectedly, in a romance novel

Elements of Paul Tolmé's piece on black-footed ferrets end up as dialogue in a book by bestselling author Cassie Edwards, yielding new readers for him and charges of copying his prose for her.

Journalist gains readers when his copy turns up, unexpectedly, in a romance novel

Elements of Paul Tolmé's piece on black-footed ferrets end up as dialogue in a book by bestselling author Cassie Edwards, yielding new readers for him and charges of copying his prose for her.

More waters off California may be off limits to oil drilling

Congress is poised to expand two marine sanctuaries along the state's wild north coast.