The U.S. government announced Wednesday that 23 species of wildlife, including the ivory-billed woodpecker, would be declared extinct and removed from the endangered species list.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) said: "For the species proposed today to be delisted, the protection of the (Endangered Species Act) came too late, and most species are either extinct, functionally extinct, or the numbers are already declining sharply when they are on the list." ”
Wildlife officials giving up hopes for plants or animals is a rare move, but government scientists say they have gone to great lengths to find the 23 animals. Also declared extinct are the black-breasted insect warbler, two species of freshwater fish, eight species of southeastern freshwater mussels, and 11 species of fish from Hawaii and the Pacific Ocean.
"Every situation highlights the impact of human activities," the USFWS said. Habitat loss, human overuse of natural resources and the introduction of invasive species and diseases have reduced and eventually gone extinct. The growing impacts of climate change are expected to further exacerbate these threats and their interactions. ”
Interior Minister Deb Haaland further stressed the need for action to prevent species extinction and protect biodiversity. "With climate change and dwindling natural areas on the brink of extinction as climate change and shrinking natural areas, it's time for an active, collaborative and innovative effort to save America's wildlife," she said in a statement on Wednesday. The Endangered Species Act, which is very effective in preventing species extinction, stimulates action to protect these species and their habitats before they are classified as endangered or threatened. ”
"We will continue to ensure that states, tribes, private landowners, and federal agencies have the tools they need to protect America's biodiversity and natural heritage," Haland added. ”
The USFWS said the proposal to remove the 23 species from the list would be open for public comment until the end of December.
According to its press release, North America has lost nearly 3 billion birds since 1970.
According to the American Bird Protection Society, ivory-beaked woodpeckers have never been considered a common bird because they inhabit southern swamps with plenty of space and food.
Uncontrolled logging began to wipe out its habitat, and the woodpecker became increasingly rare. The wildlife conservation society says the bird is also often shot by hunters and collectors, which could also be one of the reasons for its extinction.