Biodiversity

"Cutting off the horns of sedated rhinos with a chainsaw has been viewed by wildlife conservationists in Africa for more than 30 years as a necessary evil to save the iconic endangered species from poaching."

"President Trump has ordered what he called a restoration of a “gold standard science” across federal agencies and national laboratories. But the May 23 executive order puts his political appointees in charge of vetting scientific research and gives them the authority to “correct scientific information,” control the way it is communicated to the public and the power to “discipline” anyone who violates the way the administration views science."

"Experts say four more of the marsupials were expected to conceive in breeding season, which runs from February to June each year" 

"Senate Republicans plan to add the sale of public land into their version of President Donald Trump’s massive package of tax cuts, according to a key lawmaker." 

"Crater Lake National Park Superintendent Kevin Heatley has resigned, citing deep staffing cuts he says are unsustainable and damaging to one of the nation’s natural treasures."

"An environmental group filed a 60-day notice of intent to sue over staffing concerns at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, established specifically to protect the sea cows." 

"Chinese banks have become the biggest international funders of companies that trade in goods linked to deforestation, a trend that could further imperil the world’s most climate-critical forests, environmental advocates say."

"The Trump administration announced Monday it is moving ahead with plans to reopen millions of acres of undisturbed public land to oil and gas drilling, amid a visit by top officials to Alaska this week." "The plan would open up 11 million acres to drilling and remove conditions, including protections for sensitive ecological areas, on oil and gas leases in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska."