US Wildlife Officials Remove 21 Extinct Species from Endangered Species Act
By Kiana Raymondo
October 17, 2023
The US Fish and Wildlife Service has removed 21 species from the Endangered Species Act (ESA) after declaring them extinct.
This includes the Bachman's warbler, eight types of mussels, and the Little Mariana fruit bat. Some species were spared, such as the Hawaiian herb Phyllostegia glabra var lanaiensis and the ivory-billed woodpecker.
The Bachman’s warbler used to call Florida home
— Max Chesnes (@MaxChesnes) October 17, 2023
Yesterday, it was declared extinct
For Floridians, this loss is a reminder of the importance of making smart land-use decisions and protecting the natural resources these species need
W/ @jack_prator: https://t.co/x36jU32VEs
Today I learnt there is a bat called 'Little Mariana fruit bat' But then I learnt it has just been declared extinct...it's been a rollercoaster of emotions. Here it is in all its former glory. Next time someone misspells my name I will say 'Mariana' like the bat 🦇 pic.twitter.com/SJWgXLV369
— Mariana Lopez (@Mariana_J_Lopez) October 9, 2021
In the 1970s and 1980s, many species were listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) due to declining populations or possible extinction. Conservationists are now alarmed by the decision to remove them from the list and are emphasizing the significance of addressing climate change and biodiversity issues.