FWS Reclassifies Red-Cockaded Woodpecker From Endangered to Threatened Species
The Fish and Wildlife Service has downgraded the red-cockaded woodpecker (Dryobates (= Picoides) borealis) from an endangered species to a threatened species. However, restrictions on imports and exports will remain in effect under a 4(d) rule adopted by the agency. The final rule is effective Nov. 25, FWS said in a notice.
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"This action is based on our evaluation of the best available scientific and commercial information, which indicates that the species’ status has improved such that it is not currently in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range, but that it is still likely to become so in the foreseeable future," the agency said.
FWS also noted that it's finalizing protective regulations that facilitate the conservation of the red-cockaded woodpecker, and it corrected the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife to reflect that Picoides is not the current scientifically accepted generic name for this species. "[W]e are changing the scientific name of the red-cockaded woodpecker on the List ... from Picoides borealis to Dryobates borealis, and such revisions to the Code of Federal Regulations can be accomplished only by issuing a rule," the notice said.