Brown Pelican no longer listed as endangered

The brown pelican will soon be removed from the endangered species list. The brown pelican was first declared endangered in 1970 – the species was decimated by the insecticide DDT and was also hunted for its feathers. Since then, thanks to a ban on DDT and efforts by states, conservation organizations, private citizens and many other partners, there are now more than 650,000 brown pelicans found across Florida and the Gulf and Pacific Coasts, as well as in the Caribbean and Latin America. The Fish and Wildlife Service removed the brown pelican population in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and northward along the Atlantic Coast states from the list of endangered species in 1985. This week’s action removes the remaining population from the list. With the removal of the brown pelican from the list of threatened and endangered species, federal agencies will no longer be required to consult with the US Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure any action they authorize, fund, or carry out will not harm the species. However, additional federal laws, such as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Lacey Act, will continue to protect the brown pelican, its nests and its eggs. The final rule removing the bird from the list of threatened and endangered species will be published in the Federal Register and will take effect 30 days after publication.

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