New national poll finds overwhelming support among Americans for wildlife protections and nature‑based policymaking

(Washington, D.C. - November 10, 2025) - A new national survey reveals overwhelming public support across party lines for policies that protect animals and the environment, with Americans calling on federal leaders to prioritize wildlife conservation at home and abroad.

Commissioned by IFAW and conducted online by Beekeeper Group from June 26 to July 3, 2025, the survey sampled 2,004 US adults aged 18 and older, weighted for national representation.

The findings offer a compelling snapshot of voter sentiment on key conservation issues, including the Endangered Species Act, marine mammal protections, international funding for wildlife programmes, and the ethical treatment of animals. Across every category, strong majorities endorsed forward-looking, compassionate, science-based policies to safeguard wildlife and biodiversity.

"The results confirm what we see on the ground: Americans overwhelmingly want safer, stronger, more thoughtful protections for wildlife," said Danielle Kessler, US Country Director, IFAW. "From endangered species to marine mammals, from habitat protection to rejecting inhumane control methods-the data point to a firm public mandate for conservation that centers animal welfare, science, and long-term thinking."

Key findings at a glance:

• 81% of Americans say they are concerned about the environment, the welfare of animals, and conserving nature (each).
• 70% support factoring the value of nature into government decision-making.
• 84% believe the US should focus on preventing endangered species from becoming extinct.
• 78% support the goals of the Endangered Species Act; 69% support using it to protect habitat.
• 72% say they would be more likely to support a candidate who prioritizes protections for threatened and endangered species.
• 82% say it is important for marine mammals to be federally protected; 80% support funding NOAA to implement the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
• 75% support US funding for wildlife conservation in other countries.
• 82% believe protecting imperiled species is important for people in the US; 80% value the diversity of plant and animal life.

These findings come at a critical time, as key US environmental protections face renewed political attack. The Trump Administration has slashed funding to agencies responsible for managing wildlife, public lands, and climate resilience. Bedrock environmental laws, such as the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), face relentless attacks from policymakers. Cuts to international conservation programmes and efforts to combat wildlife trafficking have further undermined the United States' role as a global leader in biodiversity protection. Against this backdrop, the strength of public support sends a clear message-Americans expect their leaders to uphold environmental safeguards and reassert a commitment to global conservation efforts.

"Policymakers across federal and state levels should take heed: the public is telling leaders they want nature, animals, and biodiversity to be part of the solution to the crises we face-not an afterthought," added Kessler.

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For graphs and additional survey data, please visit https://www.ifaw.org/campaigns/us-polling-data-protecting-animals-nature

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Visual assets available for download and sharing here: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/fdmjNdhC3b

Survey methodology:

• Fieldwork: June 26-July 3, 2025, via Beekeeper Group.
• Sample: 2,004 U.S. adults aged 18+; weighted to reflect national demographics.
• Confidence: Bayesian ±2.4 (≈±2.1) at 95 percent.
• Minor discrepancies may occur due to rounding; totals may not sum to exactly 100 percent.

Press contact:

Stacey Hedman Senior Communications Director, IFAW m: +1 508 737 2558 e: [email protected]