Trump administration narrows legal definition of take for endangered species
The Trump administration issued a new directive Thursday to change how the Endangered Species Act defines unlawful harm to protected wildlife.
New rule exempts accidental deaths
Officials confirmed that unintentional killing of protected animals will no longer be considered unlawful under the updated rules. Deaths caused by foreseeable risks from activities like commercial fishing or logging are now exempt from the 1973 law. The directive states that a vessel striking a whale does not constitute taking if the course was not set against the animal.
Definition of take is restricted
The memorandum redefines the term take to apply only to affirmative conduct intentionally directed at specific animals. This change cites a dissenting opinion from Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia in a 1995 case regarding the matter. Conservationists argue this shift effectively removes the heart of the Endangered Species Act after five decades of use.
Document posted by nonprofit group
The Sept 14 memorandum was made public online by the Center for Biological Diversity and confirmed to AFP by administration officials. The New York Times first reported on this specific move regarding the legal definition of take.
All 2 outlets report consistently
No differences in figures, names or dates across these reports.
- The Hill
- Phys.org
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2 independent outlets. Headlines as published. Links open the original report.