November 5, 2024

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‘Environmental change’: The United States declares 23 species extinct

‘Environmental change’: The United States declares 23 species extinct

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The ivory woodpecker was once the largest woodpecker species in the United States, but was last seen in 1944.

The ivory woodpecker is among 23 species declared extinct by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) this week.

In all, 11 birds, one bat, two fish, one plant and eight species of shellfish were reported extinct. For that reason, it proposed to remove them from the Endangered Species Act (ESA), which protects endangered species.

The FWS said the move was based on rigorous scientific analysis of the best available for each of these species.

“Each of these 23 species represents a permanent loss to our country’s natural heritage and global biodiversity,” said Bridget Fahey, who oversees species classification for the FWS, according to the New York Times. “Destruction is a confusing reminder that man-made environmental changes are the result.”