The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has agreed to designate critical habitats for 23 endangered and threatened species throughout Micronesia. This follows a lawsuit filed by two conservation groups last year.
Based on a settlement with the Center for Biological Diversity and Blue Ocean Law, the Fish and Wildlife Service must provide protective areas for nine rare animals and 14 plants by June of 2025.
The Pacific Island Times reports the species are found on Guam, the Northern Marianas, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia.
According to court documents, the 23 species are threatened by habitat loss due to agricultural and urban sprawl, military expansion, invasive species and climate change.
The unique species, including tiny sac-winged bats, bright orange and yellow tree snails, and beautiful eight-spot butterflies, are also vulnerable because of small population sizes and limited range.
The Fish and Wildlife Service listed the 23 species in 2015, but the agency failed to designate critical habitats for them. That’s required under the Endangered Species Act, and it led to the lawsuit.
Frances Meno lives on Guam and is a yo'åmte, or indigenous Chamorro healer. He said, “We are the people of the land and so when our native plants and animals thrive, we thrive. There is no future without them.”
