U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Announces the Availability of the Florida Scrub-jay Five-year Review

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 3, 2007

Contacts:
Chuck Underwood, 904-232-2580 ext. 109

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced today the completion and availability of the five-year status review of the Florida scrub-jay.

After reviewing all of the best scientific and commercially available information and data, the Service recommended the listing classification for the Florida scrub-jay remain unchanged. Currently the species is classified as threatened on the Endangered Species Act (ESA) list of threatened and endangered wildlife
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Although scrub-jay populations have declined, they are still well represented in the scrub and scrubby flatwoods habitats found within their historic range, and are relatively secure in the three large populations on public lands.

Service scientists noted that the data also indicated the species is likely to respond positively to ongoing management actions elsewhere, and has benefited from previous public land acquisitions.

“Given this information, we believe that the scrub-jay is not in danger of extinction (throughout all or a significant portion of its range),” said Dave Hankla, the Service’s field supervisor for its North Florida Ecological Services Office in Jacksonville. “Therefore, the species best fits its current ESA classification as threatened.”

The five-year review and a list of Frequently Asked Questions are available online at http://www.fws.gov/northflorida or may be requested by e-mail to floridascrubjay@fws.gov, by fax at 904-232-2404, by mail at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Attn: Florida scrub-jay Five-year Review, 6620 Southpoint Drive South, Suite 310, Jacksonville, FL 32216-0958, or by telephone at 904/232-2580. Please include your name and street mailing address in your request. E-mail requests will receive an automated response confirming receipt of your request.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. Visit the Service’s website at http://www.fws.gov.