Defenders of Wildlife Law and Legal Definition
Defenders of Wildlife is a non profit organization in the U.S. dedicated to protect the wildlife across the nation. They aim to preserve the wildlife and the habitat upon which they depend. The organization advocates for the Endangered Species Act.
In early days, steel-jawed leghold traps were used to trap fur-bearing animals. Defenders of Wildlife was founded in 1947 to protect coyotes and other furred animals from steel-jawed leghold traps and lethal poisons. The organization was originally called Defenders of Fur Bearers and its mission was focused on North American mammals. However, now the organization’s mission has broadened to include protection of wild animals and preservations of the wildlife habitat.
