The federal Endangered Species Act celebrates its 50th anniversary today (Dec. 28, 2023).
Wildlife experts say the policy has been a big help in states such as South Dakota and has served as one of the world’s most important conservation laws.
Chamois Andersen works with the Rockies and Plains program at Defenders of Wildlife. She says the policy has been essential in bringing a little more population stability to the black-footed ferret in South Dakota.
“They’re the carnivore of the prairie and they’re really important to our biodiversity and it’s a terrific story they’re in South Dakota.”
As for improving the Act, Andersen says she would like to see more targeted spending provisions.
“That species that are of really critical need of dedicated funding – Congress can consider those additional funds for those animals that are on the brink of extinction, and we believe that they deserve that kind of a financial attention.”
While the E-S-A has saved this animal from the brink of extinction, Andersen says they haven’t been able to see a full recovery. Lingering challenges include population controls for prairie dogs, which these ferrets prey on. Prairie dogs are considered an agricultural pest, and Andersen urges state agencies to consider non-lethal management efforts and vegetation buffers to avoid broader habitat disruptions.
In Congress, Republicans have pursued efforts to weaken the Endangered Species Act, with backers of that approach arguing that certain protections are government overreach. But, groups such as Defenders of Wildlife counter that saving threatened species and their ecosystems benefits human health by supporting clean water, clean air and pollination.
(The Greater Dakota News Service authored this story.)
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