Rice’s whales predate modern humans. Now Trump could make them extinct
The Guardian • • nation
Key Points:
- The Trump administration has removed all protections for the critically endangered Rice’s whale and other marine species in the Gulf of Mexico, prioritizing oil and gas industry interests over conservation efforts.
- The decision was made by the Endangered Species Committee, or “God Squad,” which exempted the industry from endangered species laws citing national security concerns related to domestic energy production.
- Only about 50 Rice’s whales remain, confined to the Gulf of Mexico where oil drilling, ship traffic, and noise pollution pose severe threats, including deadly vessel strikes and disruption of whale communication.
- Environmental experts warn this move could lead to the first extinction of a whale species in North American waters in 300 years, with legal challenges already filed against the ruling.
- Critics argue the decision reflects a dangerous prioritization of fossil fuel interests over biodiversity, potentially setting a precedent for future exemptions of environmental protections under the guise of national security.
