New Report Lists Top 10 U.S. Species in Need of Protection

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Ten species have been named the most in-need of protection under the Endangered Species Act in a report released today by the Endangered Species Coalition. The report, “Without a Net: Top Ten Wildlife, Fish and Plants in Need of Endangered Species Act Protection,” demonstrates the grave problem in the current implementation of the Endangered Species Act—a listing program that has been crippled. The report includes ten species plus three honorable mentions that are in danger of extinction, but are not protected under the Endangered Species Act. “The Endangered Species Act is our nation's safety net for the wildlife, fish and plants at risk of disappearing forever,” said Leda Huta, executive director of the Endangered Species Coalition. “Sadly, too many species are being left without the Act's protections.” The first step to implementing the Endangered Species Act is to place an animal, plant or fish on the “endangered species list.” Yet some species wait to get on the list for years. Under the Bush administration, listings have greatly decreased—accounting for the lowest per year listing average of any president in the history of the Endangered Species Act. Now there are hundreds of species on and off the “candidate list,” that are in jeopardy and are waiting to be officially recognized as endangered....Go here to view the report.