Picture of United States
Caption: Wildlife Wins #ConservationStory
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Caption: In the last year, we’ve achieved some significant #WildlifeWins. The Interior Department continues to work with other federal agencies, state and local governments, businesses and private citizens to secure a better future for wildlife across our country. By addressing widespread problems with science based solutions, these successes assure survival for the following notable species.
Picture of New England
Caption: New England's only native rabbit, the New England cottontail, faced significant habitat loss over half a century. Its range was reduced by 86 percent to five small populations across New England and eastern New York. A partnership of state and federal biologists, private landowners, tribes, conservation organizations and others began implementing conservation actions that have halted the decline and allowed the rabbit to rebound.
Picture of Florida
Picture of Florida
Caption: As a result of significant improvements in its population and habitat conditions, and reductions in direct threats, the West Indian manatee will be moved from endangered to threatened status in 2016. When aerial surveys began in 1991, there were only an estimated 1,267 manatees in Florida, meaning that over the last 25 years there’s been a 500 percent increase in the species population in that state.
Picture of United States
Picture of United States
Caption: Did you know 2015 marked one of the largest conservation efforts in U.S. history? As a result of cooperation between federal, state and local leaders and private landowners in 11 western states, the greater sage-grouse does not require protection under the Endangered Species Act. With strong conservation actions, the future of the greater sage-grouse and its unique sagebrush habitat was secured.
Picture of United States
Picture of Maryland
Caption: Big news for a little animal! After more than 40 years of federal protection, the Delmarva Fox Squirrel has successfully recovered and was removed from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife in November of 2015. Native only to the Delaware, Maryland and Virginia peninsula, it was one of the first species listed in 1967 under the precursor to the Endangered Species Act. Now, thanks to the dedication of numerous partners to conserve this animal and its habitat, the population is thriving.
Picture of Louisiana
Picture of Louisiana
Caption: How can you not want to save this cute bear?
Picture of Louisiana
Caption: The Louisiana black bear is a subspecies of bear unique to Louisiana, western Mississippi and eastern Texas. In 1902, it became part of American culture when, during a hunting trip near Onward, Mississippi, President Theodore Roosevelt spared one from his trophy collection. An editorial cartoon in The Washington Post relayed the story, sparking an idea from a Brooklyn candy store owner to create the “Teddy Bear.”
In 1992, due to habitat loss, the three remaining breeding populations were confined to bottomland forests in the Tensas and Atchafalaya River basins. Today, those groups have all increased in number and have stable growth rates. Thanks to a public-private partnership spanning more than two decades, the Louisiana black bear was removed from the list of threatened and endangered species.
Picture of Pit River
Picture of Pit River
Caption: In 2015, the first two fish were removed from Endangered Species Act protection. The Modoc sucker is a small fish native to the Upper Pit River Watershed in Southern Oregon and Northeastern California. The fish was listed as endangered in 1985 due to habitat loss and pollution. When the Oregon Chub was listed in 1993, there were eight known populations. Currently, there are 50 known populations. These dramatic recoveries mean the Modoc Sucker and Oregon Chub are no longer at risk of extinction. Now that’s a big #Wildlife win!
Picture of United States
Picture of United States
Caption: Last year was the 20th anniversary of the first-ever Safe Harbor Agreement, created in 1995 to protect the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. That first agreement not only helped turn around the fortunes of the red-cockaded woodpecker in North Carolina and other states, but also ushered in an era of proactive collaboration between private landowners, states and federal agencies under the Endangered Species Act to conserve America's most imperiled wildlife.
Picture of United States
Caption: The animals that live on public lands and waters are an important part of our environment and our national identity. Working to maintain a natural balance and helping endangered species recover is everyone’s responsibility.
Picture of United States
Caption: PHOTO CREDITS:
NE Cottontail - Tom Barnes, USFWS
NE Cottontail - Tami Heilemann, Department of Interior
Manatee in Sunlight - David Hinkel, USFWS
Manatee close-up - Tracy Colson, USFWS
Manatee - Keith Ramos, USFWS
Sage Grouse - BLM Photo
Sage Grouse - BLM Photo
Delmarva Fox Squirrel - USFWS Photo
Delmarva Fox Squirrel - DNREC, Division of Fish and Wildlife
USFWS employee with cubs - USFWS Photo
Louisiana Black Bear - Clint Turnage, USDA
Modoc Sucker (top) - USFWS Photo
Oregon Chub (bottom) - Rick Swart, Oregon FWS
Red-cockaded woodpecker - John Maxwell, USFWS
Red-cockaded woodpecker - USFWS Photo
