Last year, the federal government removed about two dozen species from the endangered species list, marking them extinct. Environmentalists often have to fight just to have a species recognized as endangered. It is often said that knowing is half the battle, but half is not enough to win. Addition to the list does not necessarily guarantee the research and actions needed to return an endangered species to a sustainable population level.
50 in 2023th U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Act Enactment Day announced 21 species have been removed from the endangered species list. But it wasn't happy news. Those species were removed from the list because they were extinct. The list of extinct species includes one mammal (the Little Mariana flying fox), two freshwater fish, nine shellfish, and ten bird species, primarily from Hawaii.
For a complete history of the Endangered Species Act and an extensive commentary on its effectiveness and consequences, Earth911 recommends it. Endangered Species Code, Volume 1 (first 50 years) and Volume 2 (The Next 50 Years).
removed from list
The 21 species removed from the list are:
mammalian
- Small Mariana flying fox (Guam)
bird
- Bachman's Warbler (Florida, South Carolina)
- White-eye (Florida)
- Kauai Akialoa (Hawaii)
- Nukupuu, Kauai (Hawaii)
- Kaur`Iooooo (Hawaii)
- Large Kauai Thrush (Hawaii)
- Maui Akepa (Hawaii)
- Maui Nukupu`You (Hawaii)
- Molokai Creeper (Hawaii)
- Pouri (Hawaii)
fish
- San Marcos Gambusia (Texas)
- Scioto Matom (Ohio)
mussels
- Flat pig's feet (Alabama, Mississippi)
- Southern acorn shell (3 states)
- Stirrup shell (Alabama, Mississippi)
- Highland Comshell (3 states)
- Pearl oyster with green flowers (Tennessee, Virginia)
- Nodular pearl oyster (8 states)
- Mother-of-pearl with raised flowers (three states)
- Yellow-flowered pearl oyster (Alabama, Tennessee)
The Fish and Wildlife Service said protections for these species were simply too late. At the time of listing, the number was already too small to recover. Most of them were listed as endangered species in the first decade after the ESA was passed, or even before ESA protections were established. Two species of mussels were recently listed as extinct in 1993.
endangered species act
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is a national law that: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service are federal agencies responsible for enforcing the Endangered Species Act, which has undergone many changes over the decades. Although imperfect, the ESA remains the primary mechanism for preventing species extinction in the United States. Although there were failures, Over 100 species In the 50-year history of this law, plants and animals have been removed from the list for the more pleasant reason that their populations have recovered. Of these, 54 species have recovered to self-sustaining levels, but 56 remain at risk of extinction.
according to fish and wildlifeOf the more than 1,300 species on the list, 99% still have a chance of survival. wildlife defender The number claims to be 95%. Either way, the ESA results are great for government programs of all kinds.
The Trump administration did several things. rule change It weakened protections under the Endangered Species Act. Federal agencies have gradually rescinded these rules and restored the strength of the ESA's protections. Many changes to the implementation of the ESA are made through executive orders and agency rulemakings.
But Congress may also be involved. In the 2023-24 session, Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonability Act Requires publication of all data used prior to ESA's listing decision. It also requires that the „best available scientific and commercial data“ include all data provided by affected states, tribes, and local governments, so that the responsible agency Bad science may no longer be ignored.
take action
The public cannot be assured that the Endangered Species Act will always protect endangered species. It is up to us to stay vigilant and informed about the changes the President and Congress have made to this law. we, parliamentary representatives Please know that we support a strong Endangered Species Act to ensure that the United States remains a world leader in wildlife conservation.
Another way individuals can get involved in species conservation is through the pesticide registration process. When EPA registers a pesticide, it is required to ensure that the use of the pesticide is unlikely to endanger listed species or critical habitat. The registration process provides a variety of opportunities. public input.
To get more directly involved in species conservation, you can check: your state species Learn about official conservation plans and decisions from the Endangered Fish and Wildlife website. Once you know which native species are at risk of extinction, you can participate in local conservation efforts to protect them and restore their habitat. Even if volunteering isn't an option, here are some simple lifestyle changes you can make. eliminate pesticides from your garden or improve your property rainwater Streams can help local wildlife.