After a thorough assessment of the monarch butterfly’s status, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has found that adding the monarch butterfly to the list of threatened and endangered species is warranted but precluded by work on higher-priority listing actions. With this decision, the monarch becomes a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species [.]
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Associated Press reports Charlie Wooley, head of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) Great Lakes regional office, said the monarch butterfly’s protection status would be subject to annual review going forward, but that no further action would be taken for several years due to the number of other creatures awaiting consideration under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
“We conducted an intensive, thorough review using a rigorous, transparent science-based process and found that the monarch meets listing criteria under the Endangered Species Act,” FWS Director Aurelia Skipwith said in a statement. “However, before we can propose listing, we must focus resources on our higher-priority listing actions.”
BY U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Press Release | December 20, 2020
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After a thorough assessment of the monarch butterfly’s status, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has found that adding the monarch butterfly to the list of threatened and endangered species is warranted but precluded by work on higher-priority listing actions. With this decision, the monarch becomes a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and its status will be reviewed each year until it is no longer a candidate.
“We conducted an intensive, thorough review using a rigorous, transparent science-based process and found that the monarch meets listing criteria under the Endangered Species Act. However, before we can propose listing, we must focus resources on our higher-priority listing actions,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Aure
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By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism. Monarchs eligible for Endangered Species Act But, inclusion precluded by higher priorities Pictured is a monarch butterfly that was tagged at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center. The listing of the insect under the Endangered Species Act Listing for Monarch Butterfly is warranted, but there are other listings that are a higher priority.
Beloved for their striking orange and black beauty and their annual trek across the Golden Belt, monarch butterfly numbers have plummeted in recent years. But, they will have to wait for increased federal protection, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Tuesday.
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US Fish and Wildlife precludes listing of monarch butterfly on Endangered Species Act; remains a candidate
While the monarch butterfly remains a candidate for the list, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found listing actions for 161 species on the National Listing Workplan a higher priority.
On Tuesday, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service announced that after extensive assessment of the monarch butterfly, it would not be listed under the Endangered Species Act to allow for higher priority species listing actions. The Service concluded that the monarch butterfly will remain a candidate for the list.
Scientists have claimed a large decline in North American monarchs overwintering in Mexico and California over the last 20 years.