PORTLAND, OR – The Department of Government Efficiency, led by billionaire Elon Musk, has ordered the federal government to fire 400 Department of Fish and Wildlife employees.

Experts say the move could tremendously impact endangered and threatened species.

Noah Greenwald is the endangered species director at the Center for Biological Diversity.

He said the cuts mean population surveys of the Northwest’s iconic Northern Spotted Owl have been paused, along with plans to remove invasive barred owls from their habitat.

Greenwald said these measures are critical to the owl’s survival.

“These people who are being let go have nothing to do with waste and fraud,” said Greenwald. “These are people who are doing real work to conserve our endangered species and wildlife.”

A federal judge found that the firings are likely illegal, but it is unclear if employees will be rehired or if future firings will stop.

The Center for Biological Diversity filed a Freedom of Information Request with every region of the Department of Fish and Wildlife to get more information about the impact of the changes.

Greenwald said that, along with harm to wildlife, cuts to staff could mean a lack of services for people visiting Oregon’s wild places this spring and summer.

“We could have overflowing toilets,” said Greenwald. “We could have traffic problems that are unabated. There could be rescues that are needed that won’t happen. ”

Proponents of the cuts say the employees were primarily probationary, meaning they were recently hired or promoted, so losing their positions will not mean a loss of essential services.

Greenwald said new people often get the most done, including writing recovery plans for threatened species. He warns that as many as a million species are at risk of extinction in the coming decades.

“These federal workers are at the front line of fighting that extinction crisis,” said Greenwald, “and ensuring that we have a livable future. “