Trump is gutting the Endangered Species Act. These 10 species show what’s at stake.

The Trump administration has made sweeping changes to the Endangered Species Act, potentially endangering over 300 species in the United States. These changes were announced last month, and have been met with criticism from environmental groups and attorneys general.

The most significant changes revolve around the terms "take" and "harm," which have been key to protecting species under the Act. The administration's new interpretation of these terms limits federal penalties for harming or taking an endangered or threatened species to instances of intentional killing. This is a significant weakening of the law's protections.

One species particularly at risk is the North Atlantic right whale. These whales, once hunted to near extinction, are now facing an unusual mortality event with 43 deaths and 133 injuries since 2017. The leading cause of death is human activity, such as ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear. The Trump administration has already rolled back protections for right whales, including rescinding ocean speed restrictions that aim to reduce ship strikes. The administration is likely to use the new definition of "take" to further bolster these actions.

Another species at risk is the Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake, the only venomous snake species found in Michigan. The snake's habitat, if destroyed or degraded, can lead to its death. The administration's changes could allow private developers to avoid federal penalties for harming this snake's habitat.

These changes to the Endangered Species Act represent a significant attack on wildlife protection in the United States. With climate change adding to the challenges faced by these species, the weakened regulatory framework could lead to the extinction of these and other endangered species.