In 2016, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed six species from the protections of the Endangered Species Act because of their successful recovery β more than in any previous year. That encouraging trend could continue in 2017, thanks to three recent proposals concerning species found in the Southwest.
Those include the proposed removal of both Gypsum wild-buckwheat and lesser long-nosed bats from the endangered list due to their recovery, and the proposed reclassification of Kuenzler hedgehog cactus from endangered to threatened because of the progress made toward its recovery.
While each of these species has a unique story, the recovery of lesser long-nosed bats is particularly noteworthy.
As pollinators, insectivores, and seed dispersers, bats play important ecological and economic roles across the country. Dramatic declines in some species, such as Indiana bats and Virginia big-eared bats, has have led to their protection under the Endangered Species Act.
Fortunately, not all are in trouble. Some species are even flourishing, like the non-hibernating endangered lesser long-nosed bats. Conservation measures and international partnerships since their designation as an endangered species in 1988 have led to strong rebounds in lesser long-nosed bat populations.
As a result of this recovery and thorough scientific review, the Fish and Wildlife Service recently proposed to remove this species from the endangered species list. This historic moment marks the first bat species proposed for delisting, a true milestone in bat conservation.
Native to the American Southwest and Mexico, lesser long-nosed bats eat the nectar from the regionβs archetypal night-blooming plants such as saguaro cacti, agave, and organ pipe cacti.
The pollen collected on their long noses is transferred to other plants as they continue to forage. Thus, the recovery of lesser long-nosed bats is not only great news for the bats, but also for biologists, conservationists, and tourists, agave farmers and tequila enthusiasts.
Many people came together to make this happen. The Fish and Wildlife Service worked together with Mexico as well as the states of Arizona and New Mexico to conserve the species.
Even the agave-dependent tequila industry came out in support of the agave-pollinating bats.
But most certainly, the bat and the Fish and Wildlife Service owe a debt of gratitude to the people of Pima County.
Through the county-led Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan and the publicly supported 77,000-acre reserve system, the bat has been guaranteed saguaros and agaves to feed upon.
And abandoned mines in the reserve system are being protected for use as bat roost.
For a decade, Southern Arizona residents have monitored night-time bat use of hummingbird feeders. These data have provided biologists with a clearer understanding of lesser long-nosed bat migration timing.
These homeowners have also provided biologists with the opportunity to capture bats and affix radio transmitters that aided biologists in finding roost sites.
The recovery of lesser long-nosed bats, gypsum wild-buckwheat, and Kuenzler hedgehog cactus are just a few examples demonstrating the value of the Endangered Species Act. These species join a much longer list of species under active consideration for delisting due to successful recovery.
Recovery attained through steadfast efforts of dedicated and enthusiastic partners, like the people of Pima County.
