When Politics Takes Center Stage Instead of Endangered Animals
Since 1973 when the Endangered Species Act was enacted, there was excitement and high expectations for a comprehensive official endangered species list. Unfortunately, because of red tape and politics the original endangered species list remained virtually untouched especially under the Bush administration.
The waiting list for species to be included into this list is getting longer. In the official list, almost 200 are near to being extinct, while other species have been taken off the list like the bald eagle and the gray wolf. Why is this list so special?
Any species granted inclusion into the endangered species list automatically gets federal protection and funding. In short, these animals have a fighting chance of being able to procreate and they have the staff and budget to oversee their population growth. The activity of de-listing endangered species and not adding new endangered species has turned into a budgetary concern. The United States is struggling with a national deficit and has been in this economic situation for more than several years. The budget for endangered animals and plants is constantly in peril.
By transferring responsibility to the state where the endangered animals find their natural habitat could be a viable solution if the state has the funds to protect the species, just like the gray wolf. It is a solution that the current administration is hoping will help save these animals.
In addition, since the budget for the animals under the Endangered Species Act is limited, there is an eternal scramble to grab priority among the endangered species staff. Private individuals and companies need to step in to help the government keep these animals alive. This is why there are now technical assistance programs and grants being given to private landowners in helping conserve wildlife.
Although the Obama administration appears to do better than the previous Bush administration, environmentalists still feel that the government is dragging its feet. According to Noah Greenwald of the Center for Biological Diversity, “Like the Bush administration, the Obama administration is failing to provide prompt protection to wildlife desperately in need of protection.” On record, the Obama administration has added 51 animals and plants to the list since assuming office which is close to Clinton’s 65 a year and far from the Bush’s 25 a year.