For more than 50 years, the Endangered Species Act has stood between wildlife and extinction. It has prevented the extinction of about 99% of the species it protects. Bald eagles, humpback whales, grizzly bears, and countless others are still here because of it.

Now the law is under constant attack. Over the past year, the administration has repeatedly moved to weaken it:

• Habitat destruction no longer counts as harm. A new rule removes habitat destruction from the definition of “harm,” even though losing habitat is the biggest threat endangered species face.
• Newly threatened species no longer get automatic protection. Species newly listed as threatened used to be protected right away. Now they have to wait on a slower, more complicated process, while the Fish and Wildlife Service loses staff.
• Killing endangered animals is excused if it wasn’t “intended.” New agency memos would let companies off the hook if they say they didn’t mean to kill a protected animal, such as when a vessel strikes a whale.
• Profit comes before habitat. A new rule puts more weight on economic factors when deciding whether to protect critical habitat, so industries can claim protections cost too much. Green sea turtles, monarch butterflies, and polar bears are among the species at risk.

Meanwhile, Congress keeps trying to write these rollbacks into law.

Extinction is forever. Add your name and tell Congress to defend the Endangered Species Act.