endangered species

A rewording of the Endangered Species Act is being proposed by the Trump administration. The proposed rollback would eliminate the definition of "harm" that includes habitat destruction.

This winter's deaths come nearly six months after a mysteriously ailment linked to toxic algae killed more than 50 endangered sawfish around the Florida Keys.

The proposed rule would keep the Florida manatee as a threatened species, continuing its status since being delisted as endangered in 2017. A public hearing is set for Feb. 26.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Wednesday it will take the unprecedented step of catching and caring for sick sawfish in an effort to prevent ongoing deaths.

Manatees were among the first animals listed on the Endangered Species Act in 1973, when their population was estimated at 1,000. Now they’ve come to exemplify both the power of conservation and how tenuous its successes can feel.

The deaths account for one third of the total in the state so far this year.

NOAA denied a request to implement a “vessel slowdown zone” in waters 100 meters to 400 meters deep from Pensacola to south of Tampa to protect the species.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said it’s considering returning Florida manatees to the endangered species list. The move comes after more than 2,600 manatees died in the past three years. More than half those deaths were blamed on starvation after seagrass wilted in the Indian River lagoon.

The lawsuit comes a dozen years after federal environmental regulators said the tortoises needed added protection to survive.

Despite its odd name, environmental advocates say the southern hognose snake should get full protection.

The new study suggests restoration efforts may need to better accommodate the endangered Cape Sable seaside sparrow as sea rise could wipe out their Everglades habitat in just 50 years.

The effort to feed thousands of pounds of lettuce to starving manatees in Florida manatees has officially ended for the winter season, as deaths of the marine mammals appear to be slowing despite the long-term threat of pollution to their main food source, seagrass.