FWS proposes 23 species be removed from the endangered species list

In the last 48 years, 54 species have been removed from the Endangered Species List after populations recovered, Wednesday the U.S. Fish and Wildlife (FWS) proposed the delisting of 23 species, declaring them extinct.

Of the 23 species only the Po’ouli had a confirmed sighting in the 2000s, the other species had their last sighting prior to 1999. The Phyllostegia glabra var. lanaiensis was last sighted in 1914.

In a FWS news release it was stated that the protection of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) came too late for these species, sighting climate change, habitat loss, invasive species and diseases for decreasing populations.

“With climate change and natural area loss pushing more and more species to the brink, now is the time to lift up proactive, collaborative, and innovative efforts to save America’s wildlife. The Endangered Species Act has been incredibly effective at preventing species from going extinct and has also inspired action to conserve at-risk species and their habitat before they need to be listed as endangered or threatened,” In a FWS press release Secretary Deb Haaland said. “We will continue to ensure that states, Tribes, private landowners, and federal agencies have the tools they need to conserve America’s biodiversity and natural heritage.”

Of the 23 species there are 11 birds, eight mussels, one plant, one bat and two fish species. The bird species include the Po`ouli, Molokai creeper, Maui nukupu’u, Maui ākepa, large Kauai thrush, Kaua’i ōō, Kauai nukupu’u, Kauai akialoa, ivory-billed woodpecker, brindled white-eye and Bachman’s warbler. 

The eight mussels include the southern acornshell mussel, stirrupshell mussel, tubercled-blossom pearly mussel, turgid-blossom pearly mussel, upland combshell mussel, yellow-blossom pearly mussel, flat pigtoe mussel and green-blossom pearly mussel. 

The two fish species are the San Marcos gambusia and the scioto madtom, the plant species is Phyllostegia glabra var. lanaiensis and the bat species is the little marinara fruit bat.