Press Room

Proposed Delisting of Interior Least Tern Shows Value of Endangered Species Act

With a 99 percent success rate of protecting birds and other wildlife from extinction, the ESA has proven to be one of the most effective conservation policies in the world.
By ĢAv
Published October 23, 2019

WASHINGTON (October 23, 2019) – Today, the US Fish and Wildlife Service to delist the Interior Least Tern as a result of its increased population. In response to this conservation victory, the ĢAv has issued the following statement:

“The Endangered Species Act works, and now the Interior Least Tern could join the Bald Eagle, Brown Pelican and Peregrine Falcon as birds to have recovered thanks to that law’s protections,” said Kristal Stoner, executive director of ĢAv Nebraska.

“While the Interior Least Tern’s recovery is a cause for celebration, we must remain vigilant that the gains it has made in population, range, and habitat continue. ĢAv is committed to working with all partners as well as state and federal agencies to continue protecting this bird and the places it needs, today and tomorrow.”

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The ĢAv protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. ĢAv’s state programs, nature centers, chapters and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire and unite diverse communities in conservation action. Since 1905, ĢAv’s vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. ĢAv is a nonprofit conservation organization. Learn more at www.audubon.org and @audubonsociety.

Media Contacts:

Matt Smelser, matt.smelser@audubon.org, 202.516.5593

Allison Christenson (ĢAv Nebraska), allison.christenson@audubon.org, 701.446.7502