Page 4 - 2023MayJun

Off the Beaten Path

OFF THE BEATEN PATH

NOTES ON WILDLIFE • OUTDOOR TIPS • READERS’ LETTERS • ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS

COMPILED BY DON P . BROWN

BIRD, BAT AMONG FEDERAL ENDANGERED LIST UPDATES

WADE FREE/ODWC

Lesser prairie-chicken and An important part of ODWC’s Wildlife Diversity “Some of those species, like the lesser prairie-chick-
map of its range. Program involves looking out for the species in Okla- en, are especially sensitive to disturbances like habitat
homa that have been included in the U.S. Fish and loss and fragmentation. Some, like the northern long-
Wildlife Service’s Federal List of Endangered and eared bat, may see significant declines because of
Threatened Wildlife and Plants. This well-known list factors like disease. And other species are thought to
has evolved since its creation with the Endangered be historically rare.”
Species Act of 1973. Regardless of the reason for listing, the status of
Two of the list’s recent changes involve Oklahoma each species is carefully reviewed after having been
species: the lesser prairie-chicken was classified as petitioned by a citizen or group. The USFWS may
“threatened” on March 27, 2023, and the northern also internally initiate a review. This rigorous process
long-eared bat, initially classified as “threatened” collects the best available science to determine if a
across its range in 2015, was reclassified as “endan- listing is warranted.
gered” on March 31, 2023.
“Oklahoma’s federally listed species span six taxa LESSER PRAIRIE-CHICKEN
groups,” said Curtis Tackett, Endangered Species The lesser prairie-chicken has a near 28-year his-
Biologist for the Wildlife Department. “We have tory with the Endangered Species Act. It was first
threatened and endangered plants, fish, mussels, petitioned for listing in October 1995, became a
birds, mammals, and insects. candidate for listing in 1998, received a “threatened”

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