U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Lost 36% of Staff Since 2024

According to new information obtained by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has lost 36% of its staff under the Trump administration, dropping from 9,957 to 6,333 total staff between 2024 and 2026.

The Center obtained staff rosters for the Service for 2024 to 2026 through the Freedom of Information Act. The 36% loss of staff is double what the Center reported last year. That increase likely reflects staff who accepted early retirement offers in spring 2025 but were still paid through the end of September and thus still appeared on last year’s roster.

The Service lost more than 1,900 scientists, including fish and wildlife biologists, foresters and fire managers.

More than 400 species are waiting for protection decisions, including hellbenders and monarchs. Despite that backlog, the second Trump administration has protected just three species in nearly two years — by far the lowest rate of species protection of any administration. Likewise, national wildlife refuges already understaffed are being severely neglected, harming wildlife and their habitats.