This month, almost two dozen species were removed from the endangered list, and declared extinct, a grim declaration by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Many of these species were initially listed under the Endangered Species Act back in the 1970s or 1980s, their numbers dwindling to the brink of extinction. In retrospect, their fate was sealed long before they received federal protection.
This is a poignant reminder of the urgent need to safeguard imperiled species before it's too late. Martha Williams, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, solemnly stated, "Federal protection came too late to reverse these species' decline, and it's a wake-up call on the importance of conserving imperiled species before it's too late."
In 2019, scientists issued a chilling warning about the impending extinction of around one million plant and animal species worldwide. Today, more than 1,300 species in the United States are teetering on the edge of endangerment under the Endangered Species Act. Out of the 21 species being removed, one mammal, ten birds, two fish, and eight mussels are included, with eight of these species hailing from Hawaii.
The removal of these species underscores the critical role of the Endangered Species Act and the imperative to protect species before it's too late. It also highlights the destructive impact of human activities, including habitat destruction, overuse, and the introduction of invasive species and diseases.
While some species are delisted due to extinction, others are removed because their populations have recovered. Over the years, more than 100 species of plants and animals have been removed or reclassified under the act, reflecting progress in conservation efforts.
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