When 贰耻驳别苍颈补鈥痺辞辞诲产耻谤测补苍补鈥痺as first listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1994, only 45 trees could be found in Puerto Rico, its only known location.鈥疶oday, surveys show鈥痶hat there are well over 3,200 trees with 73 percent of them occurring in areas that are managed for conservation. Because of this remarkable鈥痗onservation鈥痵uccess, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reclassifying 贰耻驳别苍颈补鈥痺辞辞诲产耻谤测补苍补 from endangered鈥痶o threatened under the ESA.鈥� 鈥€€€€�
鈥淭he success we celebrate today in reclassifying this tree is a direct result of continuing efforts by our partners, such as the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources,鈥疎nvirosurvey, Inc. and private landowners,鈥� said Leopoldo Miranda-Castro, regional director for the Service鈥檚鈥疭outh Atlantic-Gulf and Mississippi Basin Regions, which include Puerto Rico.鈥€淭hese groups are working with us on additional recovery actions like habitat enhancement with native tree species, cattle exclusion, fire breaks and monitoring of natural populations. In addition, private landowners in the Sierra鈥疊ermeja鈥痑rea have assisted with habitat enhancement and restoration and supported surveys.鈥濃€�
贰耻驳别苍颈补鈥痺辞辞诲产耻谤测补苍补鈥�(no common name) is an鈥痚vergreen tree鈥痶hat can reach a height of almost 20 feet. Natural populations of鈥�贰.鈥痺辞辞诲产耻谤测补苍补鈥痑re known to occur in six locations in southern Puerto Rico, extending from the municipality of Cabo鈥疪ojo鈥痠n the southwest, eastward to the municipality of Salinas in the south.鈥疧ver the past 10 years, the Service has coordinated with local partners on鈥痯ropagating the tree and introducing it鈥痠nto lands managed for conservation.鈥€� 鈥�
In addition鈥痶o announcing the reclassification of the tree鈥檚 status, the Service is finalizing a section 4(d) rule which contains prohibitions鈥痶hat are necessary and advisable for the conservation of the species. This section 4(d) rule also identifies allowable activities that do not significantly harm the plant. This targeted approach can reduce ESA conflicts, while focusing鈥痗onservation鈥痚fforts on the threats that slow recovery.鈥€€� 鈥�
The 4(d) rule would allow for the use of cultivated seeds for activities including scientific purposes, to enhance propagation or survival of the tree, for botanical or horticultural exhibition, for educational purposes or for other purposes consistent with the purposes of the鈥疎SA.鈥€€€€€€� 鈥�
Under the ESA, endangered species are at imminent risk of becoming extinct, while threatened species are likely to become endangered鈥痠n the鈥痜oreseeable鈥痜uture.鈥€� 鈥�
The鈥痶ree was鈥痮riginally鈥痩isted due to threats that include loss of habitat caused by the grazing of cattle and goats; rural and tourist development, possibly鈥痠ncluding鈥痶he use of off-road vehicles; lack of state regulations to protect the鈥痵pecies; and the tree鈥檚 limited distribution.鈥�
The rule finalizing this reclassification, as well as all supporting documents, can be found by searching for Docket Number FWS鈥揜4鈥揈S鈥�2019鈥�0070. The rule becomes effective on January 3, 2023.
Read the frequently asked questions about this decision. 鈥�
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.鈥� For more information on our work and the people who can make it happen, visit鈥�www.fws.gov.鈥� Connect with our Facebook page at鈥�, follow our tweets at鈥�, watch our YouTube Channel at鈥€痑nd download photos from our Flickr page at鈥�.鈥�
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