US Facilitates Species Relocation as a Last Resort to Combat Climate Change-Induced Extinction

In response to the warming climate and the looming threat of species extinction, US officials have announced measures to simplify the process of relocating endangered plants and animals outside their historical habitats. This action serves as a last-ditch effort to safeguard species that are under imminent risk due to climate change.

While relocations of struggling species have been sporadically conducted in the past, such as the urgent transfer of seabirds in Hawaii to prevent their submergence from rising ocean levels, the recent change in federal regulations under the Biden administration expands the scope of such interventions. Now, relocations can be carried out for some of the most endangered plants and animals protected by the Endangered Species Act.

Furthermore, the updated regulations permit relocations in cases where a species is being displaced by nonnative plants or wildlife. For instance, this summer, officials plan to introduce Guam kingfishers to the Palmyra Atoll south of Hawaii. These birds, which are extinct in the wild but maintained in zoos, will be relocated to counter the decimation of their population by brown tree snakes inadvertently brought to Guam around 1950.

In the past, moving species to new areas was regarded as controversial due to concerns about potential disruptions to native ecosystems and the displacement of local flora and fauna. However, as climate change increasingly alters habitats worldwide, the practice is gaining acceptance among scientists and government officials.

The previous rules that prevented the relocation of endangered species were put in place without fully recognizing the impact of climate change. With habitat transformations becoming more pronounced due to global warming, wildlife is compelled to seek new areas for survival, while other species teeter on the brink of extinction. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland emphasized that allowing relocations would fortify conservation efforts and safeguard species for future generations.

Nevertheless, this proposal has faced opposition from Republicans in Western states, particularly those that previously resisted the reintroduction of gray wolves two decades ago. Officials in Montana, New Mexico, and Arizona have raised concerns about potential ecological havoc caused by intentional introductions of “invasive species.” Citing examples such as Asian carp invading US waterways or starlings from Europe devastating crops and displacing native songbirds, opponents argue against the potential risks associated with such relocations.

On the other hand, several state wildlife officials and external scientists have expressed support for the rule change, identifying species that could benefit from relocations. Examples include the Key deer in southern Florida, desert flowers in Nevada and California, and the St. Croix ground lizard in the Virgin Islands.

Critics, such as Patrick Donnelly from the Center for Biological Diversity, have voiced concerns that the new rule could be exploited to justify habitat destruction for development purposes. Donnelly’s organization has actively opposed plans for a Nevada lithium mine that threatens the endangered Tiehm’s buckwheat. The mining company proposed transplanting the species and establishing new habitats as compensation, prompting worries about potential abuse of the rule.

This recent update regarding species relocation aligns with the Biden administration’s efforts to reverse significant changes made to the endangered species program during the previous administration. While industry groups had previously advocated for those changes, they faced significant criticism from environmentalists. Last week, the Fish and Wildlife Service announced the reinstatement of a long-standing regulation that provides blanket protections for newly classified threatened species. Additionally, economic impacts will no longer be considered when determining the need for protection of animals and plants.

By Matthew Brown (Twitter: @MatthewBrownAP)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about species relocations

More about species relocations

• U.S. officials ease species relocations to combat climate change-induced extinction (AP News)
• Endangered Species Act (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
• Center for Biological Diversity (Official website)
• Biden administration’s actions on endangered species (White House)