Forty-nine new endangered species in Hawaiʻi

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has determined that 39 plants and 10 animal species in the State of Hawaiʻi are now at risk of extinction and have therefore been added to the list of federally endangered species under the Endangered Species Act.

These 49 species occur in 11 different habitat types, with all but one of them occurring nowhere on Earth except Hawaiʻi. One bird species being listed—the band-rumped storm-petrel—occurs in Japan, Hawaiʻi, the Galapagos and subtropical areas of the Atlantic. The FWS is listing only the Hawaiʻi population—found on the islands of Hawaiʻi, Maui, Kauaʻi and Lehua in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands—as endangered.

“These species are all affected by habitat loss and invasive species,” said Mary Abrams, FWS 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. According to the FWS, 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 continue to have a devastating impact on native ecosystems in the Hawaiian Islands” Abrams said. “We will continue working with local communities, governments, industries and the people of Hawaiʻi 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, click here.