FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 24, 2015
Contact: Haley McKey, 202-772-0247, hmckey@defenders.org

Washington – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has delisted the Delmarva fox squirrel, a subspecies of the fox squirrel native to the Eastern United States.

The following is a statement from Jamie Rappaport Clark, Former president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife:

“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has made the right call in delisting the Delmarva fox squirrel. The squirrel’s population has increased substantially since its listing and this is another example of the successful recovery efforts that are possible thanks to the protections provided by the Endangered Species Act.

“ Climate change and sea level rise are likely to affect portions of the squirrel’s habitat in the next 50-100 years, so it will be incumbent upon the affected states to ensure that its recovery remains a success by protecting habitat for the fox squirrel and the other creatures that rely on this region.”

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Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than 1.2 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more information, visit www.defenders.org.

 

For nearly 80 years, Defenders of Wildlife has worked to protect and restore America’s wildlife at risk of extinction, advancing a vision of a future in which wildlife thrives, sustained by broad public support and a resilient network of healthy lands and waters. With a network of more than 2 million supporters, Defenders is an advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on Instagram @defendersofwildlife.  

 

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