The Trump administration is trying to roll back key parts of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), a law that’s been saving animals from extinction for decades. If these changes go through, America’s native wildlife and species globally like bears, tigers, lions, and orangutans—the very animals FOUR PAWS fights to protect—would be in serious trouble.

Bottom line: these changes could push some of America’s most vulnerable plants and animals closer to extinction.

"The Endangered Species Act is one of the most successful laws on the books with a 99% track record at preventing extinction,” said Katherine Miller, U.S. Country Director for FOUR PAWS International. “It has helped to keep bald eagles in our skies, whales in our seas, and grizzly bears in the wild. The Endangered Species Act works–but only when we let it. If allowed, the Trump administrations’ disastrous revisions would undermine protections for imperiled species that are now needed more than ever, as habitat loss and climate change cause more species to slip closer to extinction. These revisions will jeopardize the future for America's wildlife and put our nation's natural heritage at great risk."

And this isn’t the Trump administration’s first attack. Earlier moves included allowing habitat destruction, gutting protections for public lands, and stacking committees with political pro-industry appointees to decide the fate of endangered species. As the “United States’ primary legal instrument for combating the biodiversity crisis,” it’s now more important than ever for Americans to speak up in support of the ESA!

Here’s the good news: a poll from June 2025 shows that Americans overwhelmingly support the ESA. More than four out of five Americans support the Endangered Species Act, a fact that has held true for three decades, and support is consistent across people living in urban, suburban, and rural environments. Additionally, a new poll from the International Fund for Animal Welfare reveals that 81% of Americans say they are concerned about the environment, the welfare of animals, and conserving nature, and 84% believe the US should focus on preventing endangered species from becoming extinct. Most Americans care about wildlife and believe the U.S. should prevent species from disappearing forever.

Raise your voice for animals. Sign our letter and add your comment! Let this administration know that you support continued protection of threatened and endangered species, and you oppose the proposed rule changes to the ESA.

The proposed rules are now available for public comment. You have only 30 days to submit a comment, starting on November 21 and ending on December 21!

If you’d also like to comment directly on each proposed rule, please visit these docket numbers with the links below:

• FWS–HQ–ES–2025–0039 (Section 4)
• FWS–HQ–ES–2025–0044 (Section 7)
• FWS–HQ–ES–2025–0029 (Section 4(d))
• FWS–HQ–ES–2025–0048 (Section 4(b)(2))

 Every voice matters, and together, we can keep the ESA strong!