13-05-2025
Gutting Endangered Species Act would harm Tacoma
At Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium and Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, part of Parks Tacoma, wildlife conservation is the core of everything we do. Every day, we see firsthand how the survival of endangered species depends on the protection of their habitats.
That's why we are deeply concerned about a proposed federal rule from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) that would weaken the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by removing habitat modification from the definition of 'harm.'
For decades, the ESA's traditional interpretation of 'harm' has been a cornerstone of conservation, allowing agencies to protect not just animals themselves but also the environments they need to feed, breed, shelter and migrate. This approach has been instrumental in preventing countless extinctions since the law's enactment in 1973. It has enabled the recovery of iconic species like the grizzly bear and the bald eagle by ensuring that their habitats and food sources remain intact and viable for future generations.
Parks Tacoma's zoological teams have decades of experience working to recover imperiled species, from restoring native amphibian populations in the Northwest to leading the national recovery effort for the critically endangered American Red Wolf. These successes have only been possible because of strong protections for the wild places these animals and plants need to survive and recover.
If finalized, this rule would allow activities that degrade or fragment habitat — such as logging, development or pollution — to proceed without ESA oversight, as long as they don't directly kill or injure individual animals or plants. This narrow interpretation ignores decades of scientific evidence and practical conservation experience demonstrating that habitat loss is often the primary threat to imperiled species.
This is not just a technical change. It is in direct conflict with the original stated purpose of the ESA: that 'ecosystems upon which endangered species and threatened species depend may be conserved.' Habitat destruction is the leading cause of species endangerment and extinction, both in the U.S. and globally. Without the ability to protect the ecosystems that species depend on, the hard-won gains of decades of conservation work could be quickly undone.
The ESA is one of America's most effective conservation laws, with a 99% success rate in preventing the extinction of 1,700 species. Weakening its protections now would be a massive step backward, risking the future of countless animals, plants, and ecosystems.
Now is the time to speak up for wildlife. The USFWS and NMFS are accepting public comments on this proposed rule until May 19. If you care about the future of endangered species and the wild places they call home, please add your voice. Visit and search for Docket No. FWS–HQ–ES–2025–0034 to submit your comment in support of strong, science-based habitat protections.
Let's stand together to ensure the Endangered Species Act continues to protect not just animals, but the places we all depend on. Your voice matters.
Alan Varsik has served as zoological director for Parks Tacoma since 2017. He has over 30 years of experience in the zoological field, including working to protect California condors, American red wolves and the Channel Island fox. Marc Heinzman is the conservation manager for both zoos. He has worked for over 15 years on conservation initiatives targeting species in Washington state, the broader United States, and internationally in Asia, South America, and Africa.
