U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today applauded the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announcement that the Canada lynx may have recovered to the point where it could be delisted as an endangered species.
The Service today released the results of a scientific review indicating the Canada lynx may no longer require protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) due to recovery. Based on the findings of this review, the Service has announced its intention to develop a proposed rule to delist the Canada lynx.
“This report is exciting news and the result of two decades of collaborative work between state and tribal governments, conservation organizations, sportsmen, landowners, and countless others who are committed to protecting and recovering the Canada lynx,” said Daines. “Secretary Zinke has done great work to ensure our endangered species can reach recovery, and I look forward to working closely with him as the delisting of the Canada lynx is considered so that management of the species can be returned to the states and our tribes.”
The Canada lynx was listed as threatened under the ESA in 2000. The species is found in the contiguous United States, primarily in northwestern Montana, northeastern Idaho, north-central Washington, western Colorado, Wyoming, northeastern Minnesota, and Maine. Delisting of the Canada lynx will lead to better forest and land management in Montana.
More information about the Fish and Wildlife Service status review and Canada lynx recovery may be found HERE.
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