endangered species

News

Center for Biological Diversity seeks protections for rare Alabama fish

The Stippled Studfish is a rare freshwater fish which, after decades of development, pollution and worsening drought, can now only be found in a few isolated streams in Alabama. However, thanks to a recent petition by the Center for Biological Diversity, the stippled studfish may gain new federal protections under the Endangered Species Act, ESA. … Continued

Alex Jobin

January 26, 2026

Trump admin to strip “look-alike” protections from three Alabama turtle species

A new proposal by the Trump administration could remove look-alike status for several species, including three Alabama turtle species.

Alex Jobin

September 26, 2025

Fish and Wildlife Service proposes to list frecklebelly madtom as threatened under the Endangered Species Act

The frecklebelly madtom is a small catfish that inhabits channels and tributaries of medium to large river systems.

Brandon Moseley

November 19, 2020

Fish and Wildlife Service designates critical habitat for the threatened trispot darter

The trispot darter is a small, bottom-dwelling, freshwater fish native to the upper Coosa River Basin.

Brandon Moseley

September 30, 2020

Shelby praises a $5.4 Million award for the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge

Tuesday, U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, R-Alabama, announced that the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Decatur was awarded $5.443 million as part of the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Fiscal Year 2018 construction projects operating plan. “Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge plays a key role in helping to protect, manage, and restore lands and waters throughout North Alabama,” … Continued

Brandon Moseley

June 6, 2018

Southeastern Bat found with White Nose Syndrome in Shelby County

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Thursday, June 1, 2017, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is reporting that biologists have confirmed White Nose Syndrome (WNS) in the Southeastern Bat (Myotis austroriparius) for the first time. The species joins eight other hibernating bat species in North America that are afflicted with the deadly … Continued

Brandon Moseley

June 2, 2017

The Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes Protection of Spring Pygmy Sunfish

 By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)has extended the public comment period on their plan to preserve the Spring Pygmy Sunfish. According to a written statement by the USFWS, the Spring Pygmy Sunfish is threatened with extinction in the foreseeable future. The fish currently exists only in Beaverdam Spring/Creek … Continued

Brandon Moseley

April 30, 2013

Bat Plague Confirmed in Alabama

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Bats throughout the country are dying from the dreaded white-nose syndrome (WNS) and now the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service confirms in a written press statement that the illness is present at Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge in Jackson County. The Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge is an important … Continued

Brandon Moseley

April 9, 2013

Ultralight Whooping Cranes Arrive in Walker County

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced that the ultralight led whooping cranes have stopped off in Alabama on their way to their wintering grounds in Florida. Five whooping cranes soared into Walker County on Tuesday. These juvenile birds are following Operation Migration’s ultralight aircraft. The birds were … Continued

Brandon Moseley

November 15, 2012

Man Assisted Whooping Crane Migration Begins Journey South

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is part of an international coalition of public and private groups in a bold attempt to restore the heavily endangered bird to the eastern range of its habitat. The big wading birds are being returned to Alabama and Florida in a project led … Continued

Brandon Moseley

October 5, 2012