Animals in 2016: What's Ahead

Less than two weeks into the new year, big changes are already in the works that could dramatically change the fate of many animal species. Some will benefit, others won't, and still others will be a hot topic of debate for months to come.  Manatees fall into the last category. On January 7, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that the West Indian manatee should be downlisted from endangered to threatened status under the Endangered Species Act. Public comments can be submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service until April 7 of this year.

http://tinyurl.com/j65tr3c

Loophole Allowing Chimpanzee Abuse May Soon Be Closed

Those concerned about the present and future conditions of chimpanzees — humankind’s closest genetic relative — have been given reason to feel optimistic: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently proposed a rule that would, if adopted, finally close a loophole in the Endangered Species Act regulations that has allowed these intelligent and social primates to be bought, sold and traded, then harmed, harassed and wounded in captivity.

http://tinyurl.com/lqvkn78

Help Stamp Out Extinction With The Postal Service

A Save Vanishing Species semi-postal stamp featuring the Amur tiger club will be issued on Tuesday, Sept. 20. The stamp will sell for 55 cents each or $11 for a sheet of 20 stamps. Net proceeds from the sales will go to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to support its Multinational Species Conservation Funds.

http://tinyurl.com/6ggypbg