The Trump administration has proposed removing or revising Endangered Species Act protections for 11 animals that closely resemble threatened or endangered species. This change could affect pumas, butterflies, sturgeon, and turtles that share physical similarities with their endangered counterparts. The proposal targets species protected under the “look-alike” provision of the Endangered Species Act. This rule protects animals that appear similar to endangered species to prevent accidental harm through misidentification. Wildlife officials often struggle to tell these similar-looking animals apart in the field. Among the species losing protections are pumas, which resemble the endangered Florida panther; three butterfly species (cassius blue, … Continue reading Trump Administration Set to Remove Look-Alike Protections for 11 Species as Advocates Warn of ‘War on Biodiversity’