The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed downlisting the Hawaiian stilt, or
ae’o, from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act. It would be the third Hawaiian bird to be reclassified in the past few years after the nene in 2019 and the Hawaiian hawk in 2020.
"Over the past three decades, a strong network of conservation actions throughout Hawaiʻi has resulted in more wetland areas being managed compatible with the species’ needs. The State of Hawaiʻi has been a key partner, along with efforts on National Wildlife Refuges, to protect, manage, and conserve the significant wetland habitats and supporting aeʻo populations over the last 30 years," the federal agency said.
The public comment period is open until July 23. But is downlisting the Hawaiian stilt good news or bad news? The Conversation’s Savannah Harriman-Pote spoke to Megan Laut of the Fish and Wildlife Service to learn more.
There is also a public hearing on downlisting the ae’o on Wednesday at 5 p.m. Participants must register for the virtual meeting.
This segment aired on The Conversation on July 6, 2021.
