The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has reported a nearly 20% reduction in its workforce since President Donald Trump took office. Recent records, obtained by the conservation group Center for Biological Diversity, reveal that almost 1,800 employees have left the agency in the past year. In April 2025, the agency's staff numbered approximately 8,180, a decrease from 9,960 the previous year. Oregon and Washington collectively lost around 50 senior scientists and staff, while California experienced a loss of 40. Florida lost 20 senior staff members, and Hawaii lost 10. The departure of experienced personnel raises concerns regarding the agency's ability to protect endangered species, including monarch butterflies and hellbender salamanders. Noah Greenwald, a director at the Center for Biological Diversity, highlighted that the agency requires increased resources to support endangered species and their habitats rather than reductions. Many senior staff members opted for buyouts or early retirement due to the administration's federal workforce reduction strategies. Additionally, ongoing hiring freezes have left the agency in a precarious situation. The loss of biologists has been particularly notable, with the agency reporting 530 fewer biologists following the Trump administration's policies. This decline has raised alarms among conservation organizations, who worry about the agency's diminished capacity to monitor endangered species and restore their habitats. Legal documents indicate plans by Trump officials to eliminate an additional 143 positions at the Fish and Wildlife Service. However, further cuts are currently on hold until January 30 due to a bipartisan agreement regarding healthcare subsidies and government spending negotiations. This situation has left the agency and its operations in a state of uncertainty as it grapples with staffing challenges while continuing its mission to protect wildlife.