US Fish and Wildlife Service Announces Extinction of 21 Species

In a solemn announcement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declared 21 species, once vibrant and integral parts of American ecosystems, extinct in 2023. This development marks a critical moment in our understanding of biodiversity loss and the need for urgent conservation efforts.

Wikimedia Commons / Zach Pezzillo, Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project, License: CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED
In 2023, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declared 21 species extinct.

Hawaii: A Hotspot of Loss

Hawaii, known for its rich biodiversity, faced the most significant blow. Among the delisted species, eight were Hawaiian forest birds, including the iconic Kauaʻi ʻōʻō, a symbol of the island’s natural heritage. The loss of these species, as experts like Rachel Kingsley of the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project suggest, is due to a combination of factors such as avian malaria and habitat destruction, exacerbated by climate change.

A Nationwide Extinction Crisis

The extinction list includes various species across the U.S., from the little Mariana fruit bat in Guam to the Scioto madtom, a small catfish native to Ohio. As NPR reports, eight freshwater mussels in the southeastern U.S. also disappeared.

Photo: Mosquito Fish (Gambusia affinis), Wikimedia Commons / Clinton & Charles Robertson, License: CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED

The San Marcos gambusia, a tiny Texas fish, is among the extinct species.

The Endangered Species Act

As we mark 50 years of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), this moment invites reflection on the effectiveness of conservation laws. The ESA has been a crucial tool, yet, as Fish and Wildlife Director Martha Williams notes, it cannot always prevent the extinction of critically endangered species.

“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,” Williams told NPR. “As we commemorate 50 years of the Endangered Species Act this year, we are reminded of the Act’s purpose to be a safety net that stops the journey toward extinction. The ultimate goal is to recover these species, so they no longer need the Act’s protection.”

The Challenge of Conservation Funding

The Center for Biological Diversity in 2016 revealed a significant underfunding in species recovery efforts, including findings by the Fish and Wildlife Service’s own scientists estimate that only about 3.5% of the required funding is provided to recover endangered species.

Photo: Moho braccatus Cassin, Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Wikimedia Commons / Hiart, License: CC0 1.0 DEED
The Kauaʻi ʻōʻō, a unique Hawaiian honeyeater, is among the extinct species.

The Human Connection to Nature

The extinction of these species is not just an ecological loss; it’s a cultural and emotional one.

“What makes us Hawai’ian is the collective experiences of ourselves and of our ancestors,” Noah Gomes, a native bird expert and historian based in Hilo, Hawaii, told The Guardian. “We’re losing something of ourselves when these birds disappear.”

Looking Ahead: A Call to Action

In the wake of this loss, conservationists are advocating for increased conservation funding and strengthening of the ESA. The delisting of these species is a wake-up call, emphasizing the urgent need to conserve species before it’s too late. It’s a reminder that we are in a race against time to preserve the planet’s biodiversity.

Photo: Apapane, James Brennan Molokai – panoramio, Wikimedia Commons / James Brennan Moloka…, License: CC BY 3.0 DEED
Avian malaria, spread by invasive mosquitoes, devastated Hawaiian bird populations.

The Interconnected Crisis

As the Center for Biological Diversity points out, the extinction crisis is deeply intertwined with the climate crisis. Addressing one can help mitigate the other, emphasizing the need for holistic environmental policies.

The extinction of these 21 species serves as a somber reminder of our responsibility towards the planet. It’s a call to action for more robust and effective conservation efforts. As we face an accelerating biodiversity crisis, it is imperative that we acknowledge our role and take decisive steps to protect the natural world. Our future, and the future of countless species, depends on it.

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