The U.S Fish and Wildlife declared 23 fish, birds, and other species extinct. Wildlife officials and the government scientists said they gave up hope after putting much effort into finding these 23 birds.
“Each of these 23 species represents a permanent loss to our nation’s natural heritage and global biodiversity,” says Bridget Fahey, director of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Climate change and global warming are one of the main reasons for these species’ extinction. The ivory-billed woodpecker was once the US’s largest woodpecker species, but it was last seen in 1994 in Louisiana. Ivory-billed was officially listed as endangered in 1967. Other proposed extinct species are Bachman’s warbler, Scioto madtom, San Marcos gambusia, eight species of southeastern freshwater mussels, eight birds and a flower from Hawaii, and a bird and bat from Guam.
“The Endangered Species Act has prevented the extinction of 99% of the plants and animals under its care, but sadly these species were extinct or nearly gone when they were listed,” Tierra Curry, senior scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity, said.
Nearly 902 species around the world have been said to be extinct. The actual number might be higher because some species are never officially identified. Scientists warn that the extinction crisis with flora and fauna is now disappearing at 1,000 times the historical rate.
