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<META content="Microsoft SafeHTML" name=Generator> <STYLE> .ExternalClass a {color:#bb5005;text-decoration:underline;} </STYLE> Eleventh-Hour Attack on Endangered Species | Feature Story Polar Bears in Deep Water Polar bears are in serious trouble. As Arctic sea ice speeds toward another record low this year, more polar bears have been seen swimming in open water off the northern coast of Alaska -- when they would normally be on stable ice.
Although polar bears are strong swimmers, scientists are worried to see bears swimming so far from the nearest shore or sea ice -- one was seen at least 60 miles from shore. Such long distances can lead to exhaustion or drowning in the search for the sea ice they need to hunt seals, den and mate.
“We have some observations of bears swimming into shore when the sea ice was not visible on the horizon," said biologist Steven Amstrup, a polar bear expert from the U.S. Geological Survey. “In some of these cases, the bears arrive so spent energetically, that they literally don’t move for a couple days after hitting shore.�?
Read more from the Christian Science Monitor.
|  | | Feature Story Be Sea Otter Aware! Each year, Defenders and our partners celebrate the important role sea otters play in their coastal ecosystems. This year is no different. With events throughout the U.S., in Canada and as far away as Australia, we’ll be giving these playful critters their due from September 21st through the 27th.
In California, the state legislature officially recognized the last week in September as Sea Otter Awareness Week -- making it a permanent annual celebration in the state!
Visit our website for more information on ways you can participate in this annual series of events!
|  | | Defenders Updates Same Old Drill? As Congress returned from their 5-week recess, one of their top priorities was energy. But rising gas prices are spurring calls to let Big Oil spoil our coasts with more drilling. More than 40,000 Defenders supporters have spoken out to Members of Congress and the Administration against more drilling off our coasts. And Defenders staff is hard at work on Capitol Hill, advocating for smarter, cheaper and cleaner solutions. >> Learn More Another Brutal Season In the wake of the defeat of a ballot measure that would have ended Alaska’s brutal aerial hunting program, Defenders is preparing for another bloody season. We’re redoubling our efforts to pass the PAW Act in Congress -- legislation that would end this terrible practice, and prevent programs like it from spreading to the lower 48 states -- and will continue our fight to hold state officials accountable. >> Learn More Your Lands, Your Wildlife Last month, Defenders headed out to Salt Lake City, Utah to attend the Outdoor Industry Association’s annual Summer Market convention. Our outreach activities to this growing and influential constituency included our booth and a session with renowned nature photographer Joel Sartore. We also promoted our latest campaign: Your Lands, Your Wildlife, featuring an essay contest to highlight treasured public lands. Have you had a memorable encounter with wildlife in America’s national forests or on Bureau of Land Management lands? Tell your story and you could win $1000 in outdoor gear!>>Learn More |  | | Wildlife Heroes Best Friend for the Black-Footed Ferret Mike Lockhart knows a thing or two about black-footed ferrets. As a biologist with the Fish & Wildlife Service, he was instrumental in bringing these weasel-like animals back from the very brink of extinction -- and returning them to the wilds of the American Plains.
Before retiring in December 2007, Mike released the first ferrets to the Kansas prairie since they disappeared from the state decades ago -- onto land owned by Larry and Bette Haverfield (former Wildlife Heroes).
Mike has been a vocal critic of Bush Administration plans to poison prairie dogs -- a move that could derail ferret recovery since they depend on the rodents for prey and shelter.
In the meantime, the Kansas ferrets appear to be thriving, so far. Thanks to Mike’s hard work and dedication over the years, the future for the highly endangered black-footed ferret is a little more secure.
Read more about the Kansas ferrets and see a video from the Wichita Eagle
|  | |   Cheetah They’re the fastest land animal in the world -- but cheetahs are running for their lives. Habitat loss, declines in prey and genetic inbreeding are threatening the future of these spotted cats. Learn More about Cheetahs Whether you are an activist looking for ways to make your voice heard or a biologist seeking a conference where you can share your latest paper, Defenders has an event for you. Click here for the latest upcoming events. | |
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 |  |  | | Celebrate a New Day
for Wildlife! 
With more conservation-oriented leaders in the White House and Congress, Mexican wolves and other struggling wildlife will have a brighter tomorrow. RSVP now to join Defenders and other Tucson-area wildlife lovers to celebrate a new era for wildlife conservation on Thursday, November 20th! 
Help spread the word. Forward this invitation on to others who might be interested in attending or bring a friend! | Dear Brandon, I don’t know about you, but I think it’s high time we kick up our heels to celebrate the fast-approaching end of the most abysmal environmental administration in modern history -- and look forward to a new era filled with the promise of positive change for wildlife and the environment. That’s why I’m throwing a party at the Defenders office in Tucson next Thursday. RSVP now to join other Arizona wildlife lovers for appetizers, drinks and lots of fun! | What: | Celebrate the Future of Wildlife with Defenders | | When: | Thursday, November 20th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. | | Where: | The Defenders of Wildlife Tucson Office
La Placita Plaza - 110 South Church Street - Suite 4292 | The threats to wildlife from the Bush administration are nearly behind us -- but new, uncharted challenges still lay ahead as we work to undo nearly a decade of environmental disaster. The Southwest is facing big challenges -- like climate change, extended draught and dramatic habitat loss -- that will need big ideas and real leadership to solve. With help from a more environmentally-committed Congress and White House, we’ll have the opportunity to tackle global warming, give endangered species the protection they need and support wildlife conservation on our amazing public lands. But make no mistake: real change needs to be people-powered. It’s up to us to fight hard to reclaim a wildlife legacy for future generations, and it will take lots of defense and plenty of defenders!
So, what are you waiting for? Come out and join Defenders on Thursday to celebrate and explore the opportunities and challenges ahead, and find out how you can be a leader in a new era in wildlife conservation. Don’t forget to RSVP to let us know you’ll be there! Hope to see you soon,  | Scotty Johnson
Senior Outreach Representative for Arizona
Defenders of Wildlife | Defenders is calling on the new administration to: - End the political manipulation of science.
- Responsibly manage America’s federal lands.
- Safeguard America’s rarest plants and wildlife.
- Make America a leader in addressing global warming and its impacts.
- Restore America’s role as a global leader in wildlife conservation.
- Restore our connection to nature through education and proper stewardship of public lands.
- Encourage private landowners, states and tribes to conserve wildlife and habitat.
P.S. Car pool for polar bears! The person who brings the most people in their car will get a special prize. 
| | | | | | | © Copyright 2008 Defenders of Wildlife. | |
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| | |  Happy Holidays! Thank you for helping us protect wildlife...
| Season’s greetings, Brandon!
Each year at this time, I like to write dedicated Defenders supporters like you to thank you for all that you helped us accomplish for the wildlife that you and I care about.
This year, I thought we’d do something a bit different by showing you what an incredible difference you’ve made in 2008.
Please take a moment to check out some of the amazing ways you helped us protect wildlife in 2008�?/FONT>
With your support, Defenders of Wildlife helped stop planned wolf hunts in Greater Yellowstone, secured protections for America’s vanishing polar bears under the Endangered Species Act, saved imperiled wolverines from trapping plans and won dozens more victories for our wildlife this year.
Learn about some of the great victories you helped make possible this year on our new interactive map.
As proud as I am of our accomplishments in 2008, I know that the year ahead will be challenging. The incoming Obama Administration offers new opportunities to address important conservation issues that have been ignored (and in many cases made worse) during the past eight years under the Bush/Cheney Administration.
In 2009, Defenders of Wildlife will need your help to�?/STRONG> -
End Governor Sarah Palin’s out-of-control wolf killing programs in Alaska; -
Stop the outgoing Administration’s plans to once again green-light the slaughter of wolves in Greater Yellowstone and the Northern Rockies; -
Reverse devastating eleventh hour regulations by the Bush/Cheney Administration that would gut the Endangered Species Act; -
Pass legislation to help polar bears and other wildlife survive the threat of global warming; -
And continue efforts on the ground, in the courts, in Congress and on the state and local levels to protect imperiled animals and the habitat they need to survive. The accomplishments of this past year are just a preview of what we can do to safeguard wildlife for our children, grandchildren and future generations. Working together, I know that we can accomplish even more in the year ahead.
All the Best to You and Yours,  | 
Rodger Schlickeisen
President
Defenders of Wildlife | 
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