In a recent court filing, the Trump administration has proposed to rescind federal protections for the lesser prairie chicken, a unique bird facing severe decline due to habitat loss caused by agricultural and energy expansion.
Trump Administration Seeks to Remove Protections for Lesser Prairie Chicken
Trump Administration Seeks to Remove Protections for Lesser Prairie Chicken
The controversial decision aims to promote energy and agriculture development over wildlife conservation.
The lesser prairie chicken, known for its flamboyant mating rituals, has seen its population plummet from historical numbers in the hundreds of thousands to a mere 30,000 today. The administration argues that the Fish and Wildlife Service misclassified the bird as endangered in a previous decision made during the Biden era. With this legal move, officials anticipate a reassessment of the bird’s conservation status by late 2026. While stripped of protections under the Endangered Species Act, they assert that numerous state and private programs remain to assist conservation efforts for the species.
The lesser prairie chicken's fate has sparked political debates for over three decades, balancing ecological needs against the demands of development in the southern and central grasslands where it resides. This latest action reflects a broader agenda to roll back environmental regulations aligned with Trump’s energy policies, which prioritize drilling and land use over wildlife conservation.
The lesser prairie chicken's fate has sparked political debates for over three decades, balancing ecological needs against the demands of development in the southern and central grasslands where it resides. This latest action reflects a broader agenda to roll back environmental regulations aligned with Trump’s energy policies, which prioritize drilling and land use over wildlife conservation.
