Fish and Wildlife Service seeks evidence of ivory-billed woodpeckers
An ivory-billed woodpecker stands atop the hat of J.J. Kuhn, who assisted in recording ivory-billed woodpecker audio in 1935. Dr. James T. Tanner photo
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reopening the public comment period and extending the decision deadline on its proposal to de-list the ivory-billed woodpecker after disagreement among experts as to whether the species, long thought to be extinct, may still persist.
The ivory-billed woodpecker was one of 23 species the USFWS proposed in a draft rule published Sept. 30, 2021, to remove from the federal list of threatened and endangered species due to extinction. As a result of public input and a hearing held Jan. 26, the UWFWS has reopened the comment period, which now closes Aug. 5.
During this new period, the USFWS is seeking clear video or photographic evidence of the ivory-billed woodpecker’s presence. It must be definitive photographic evidence that can be repeatedly interpreted the same way by independent observers.
For information about how to submit comments, search for docket number FWS‒R4‒ES‒2020‒0109 at regulations.gov.
