49 Plants, Animals in Hawaii Added to List of Endangered Species

Press Release
49 Plants, Animals in Hawaii Added to List of Endangered Species

HONOLULU, Hawaii –The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has determined that 39 plants and 10 animal species in the State of Hawaii are at risk of extinction and are being added to the list of federally endangered species under the Endangered Species Act.

These 49 species occur in 11 different habitat types, with 48 of them occurring nowhere on Earth except Hawaii. being listed – the band-rumped storm-petrel – occurs in Japan, Hawaii, the Galapagos and subtropical areas of the Atlantic. The Service is listing only the Hawaii population, found on the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Kauai and Lehua.

“These species are all affected by habitat loss and invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

Learn more about invasive species
,” said Mary Abrams, the Service’s field supervisor for the Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office. “Listing these species as endangered will help draw attention to the threats that have brought them so close to extinction, and allow us to begin the process of bringing about recovery.”

These plants and animals are at risk of extinction due to invasive, non-native species; habitat altering recreational activities, small remaining population sizes; and threats from erosion, landslides and fire. The listing of these species will not only boost ongoing conservation efforts to address these threats and prevent extinction, but will improve the ecological health of the islands.

“A number of threats, including non-native species, continue to have a devastating impact on native ecosystems in the Hawaiian Islands” Abrams said. “We will continue working with local communities, governments, industry, and the people of Hawaii to protect and recover these native species, which are an important part of what makes these islands so special.”

For a complete list of the species in covered by this action, copies of the Federal Register Notice, and all other associated documents please visit www.fws.gov/pacificislands/.