Florida may remove the “threatened status” for several birds seen on Anna Maria Island.
There are 21 birds on Florida’s list of most vulnerable species.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission appointed a task force to review information and data and determine whether any species should be removed from the “threatened” classification.
In a preliminary review, the group determined that four birds — limpkin, brown pelican, white ibis and snowy egret — no longer meet the criteria for the threatened listing.
“We hope these preliminary findings will result in the discovery that our conservation measures in the past decade have had measurable, beneficial impacts on wildlife in Florida,” said Elsa Haubold, who is leading the FWC species review team.
The FWC also reviewed mammals on the threatened list and determined, in a preliminary analysis, that the Florida black bear, chipmunk, Florida mouse, Homosassa shrew and Sherman’s fox squirrel no longer meet listing criteria.
The early findings indicate concern remains about the fate of a number of other species found on Anna Maria Island, including the American oystercatcher, least tern, little blue heron, reddish egret, roseate spoonbill, tricolored heron, black skimmer, snowy plover, American kestrel and osprey.
Haubold emphasized the preliminary nature of the review — the state has only completed the first step in the “careful process of studying the status of these species.”
“This is a huge effort,” she said. “We still have lots to do to ensure that no species ever goes extinct in Florida.”
Gulf shore in Bradenton Beach. Islander Photo: Lisa Neff
