The Trump administration has introduced a new interpretation of the term 'take' under the Endangered Species Act. According to the new rules, violations of the law will only be considered actions that are intentionally directed at specific species or groups of animals.
For instance, if a vessel accidentally collides with a whale, it will not be regarded as 'taking.' Similarly, if a tree is felled and protected bats living in it die, this will also not be considered a violation if the tree was not cut down with the intent to kill or capture the bats.
This new interpretation has come about following the repeal of the previous definition of 'harm' regarding protected species. Nevertheless, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has emphasized that direct killing, wounding, taking, or pursuing protected animals remains prohibited.
Environmental organizations have already criticized this decision. The Center for Biological Diversity stated that the new interpretation effectively weakens the protection of endangered species and allows for harm to be inflicted upon them in the course of economic activities, provided that such harm was not intentional.