WASHINGTON— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lost 18% of its staff under the Trump administration, dropping from 9,957 to 8,179, nationwide between 2024 and the end of May. The massive reduction in biologists and other staffers was discovered in data obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by the Center for Biological Diversity.

The staff losses are the result of DOGE-driven cuts, retirement and resignation incentives and a hiring freeze that was just lifted, but with the caveat that any new hire would have to come with cuts of four other positions. While some resignations preceded Trump’s inauguration, such losses would normally have been replaced.

“Monarch butterflies, hellbender salamanders and so many more plants and animals are staring down the barrel of extinction while the Trump administration slashes staff dedicated to preserving America’s struggling wildlife,” said Noah Greenwald, endangered species co-director at the Center. “This is an agency that needs more resources to help endangered species and the places they live, not fewer. By pushing biologists and other wildlife experts out of public service, Trump is inflicting enormous harm on some of America’s most beloved creatures. The result could be extinction.”

According to the data, there were 530 fewer biologists at the Service in 2025 than there were in 2024. Fewer biologists means the Service has significantly less staff tracking the status of plants and animals or working to restore or manage habitats to help wildlife.

Many of the staff who left the agency were senior level and in some cases likely responded to the administration’s early retirement offer. For example, Hawaiʻi — which is often referred to as the extinction capital of the world — lost 10 senior level scientists and managers. Florida lost 20 senior level scientists and managers, California lost 40, and Oregon and Washington combined lost 51.

“Losing staff is bad enough, but losing senior experts with the experience and knowledge needed to save endangered species is devastating,” said Greenwald. “The Trump administration’s attacks on our environmental laws and the agencies that carry them out is beyond reckless. These staff cuts are completely irresponsible in the midst of our world’s twin climate and extinction crises.”

According to documents provided to the court in a lawsuit brought by government employee unions and others, the administration plans to eliminate another 143 positions at the Service. But it is blocked from doing so until Jan. 30 by the agreement to reopen the government.