Protecting Wildlife: PEER Presses Agencies to Act
PEER works with current and former government employees to shine a light on threats to America’s wildlife – and to take the actions needed to save our species and protect biodiversity.
We recognize the urgent need to protect species in the face of a global extinction crisis.
Wildlife species are threatened by habitat destruction, climate shifts, over hunting and fishing, and mismanagement by private and government entities. PEER works with public employees to identify issues of concern and protect wildlife, in many cases from the actions of public agencies. We use legal and advocacy tools to help protect all species.
Explore the pages below to learn what PEER has been doing for species in trouble, and how you can help.
Wolves
Too often, state and federal agencies abet the scapegoating of this apex predator by ranchers. PEER defends scientific research and supports actions critical to the ongoing recovery of gray wolves.
Pollinators & Pesticides
Pesticides threaten bees and other pollinators that sustain flowering plants and our food supply. PEER highlights key new science and exposes coverups of the dangers of pervasive pesticide use.
North Atlantic Right Whales
Collisions with ships and fishing gear threaten whale survival in our coastal waters. They can recover, but only if NOAA takes decisive action.
Manatees
During the past dozen years, the endangered Florida manatee has made only tenuous progress toward recovery. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service must act.
Greater Sage Grouse
Habitat and nesting ground destruction threaten this iconic bird. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management oversees more sage grouse habitat than any other entity, and PEER is using data to show how BLM is waiving habitat protections for oil and gas operations.
Predator Protection
States are permitting or encouraging trophy hunting and other practices threatening wolves, bears and other predator species without regard for sustainable levels. PEER believes federal funding should be contingent on compliance with sound conservation policy.
Wild Horses
Wild horses are often incorrectly scapegoated for damaging rangelands, rounded up and auctioned off. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management should use its own data on land health to inform better decision-making.
Migratory Birds
Migratory birds face many perils due to disruption of habitat and migratory patterns. PEER and public employees are fighting for action to protect them.
A SNAPSHOT OF PEER’S PAST EFFORTS
Here are some examples of how PEER is working to make a difference:
- Filed suit in an effort to restore protections to the beleaguered Louisiana black bear, challenging FWS’ claim of “recovery” for the species.
- Called out the National Park Service for dismantling its globally renowned Sea Turtle Science and Recovery Program at Padre Island and for issuing deceptive public statements.
- Achieved steps to prevent ship strikes on the highly endangered North Atlantic right whale. We continue campaigning for action as the death toll mounts.
- Exposed the biggest aerial shooting of wildlife in Alaska’s history with a toll including nearly 100 brown bears, five black bears and five wolves.
- Revealed the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service policy that slaughtered tens of thousands of double-crested cormorants every year to benefit catfish farmers.
- Exposed the failure of state and federal officials to save the Florida panther from what biologists agree is a high likelihood of extinction in the absence of protections.
READ MORE NEWS ON WILDLIFE PROTECTION
Op-Ed | The Park Service Has Lost Its Conservation Compass
The Park Service has cut programmatic work on conservation of species like endangered sea turtles – what will it take for NPS to turn itself around?
COMMENTARY | Migratory Birds Get a Lift with Proposed Rule Reversal
To protect migratory birds and other living things, we not only need stronger environmental laws, but stronger IGs to ensure compliance.
Alaska Red King Crab Dethroned by Scientific Fraud
For 40 Years NOAA Inflated Population and Masked Disastrous Overfishing
COMMENTARY | Green Energy: An Eco-Price for Fighting Climate Change
Increasing wind energy production, a necessity for clean energy goals, will impact navigation, endangered species, marine mammals and fisheries.
USGS Restores Fired Lab Biosafety Whistleblower
Scientist Had Raised Alarms about Wildlife Disease Lab Biosecurity Breaches
COMMENTARY | Cottontail, Dead at 12
A 12 year old male North Atlantic right whale, one of around 350 left in the world, is presumed dead after becoming entangled in fishing gear.
PEERMail | BLM’s Litmust Test on Whistleblowers
After years of mismanagement and retaliation against employees who raised concerns about oil and gas projects, can the BLM deliver on Biden’s conservation promises?
Call to Restore Ban on Farming Risks in Wildlife Refuges
GM Crops and Neonic Insecticides Incompatible with Refuge Purposes
