(NEXSTAR) – Nine species could soon find themselves on federal threatened or endangered species list, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says.
After reviewing eight species native to the United States and two from Southeast Asia, wildlife officials determined nine of them warrant advancing to the next step under the Endangered Species Act.
Before being added to the official list of endangered and threatened wildlife or plants – and receiving all the protections that come with it – species go through a review and monitoring process. The nine species chosen by U.S. Fish and Wildlife face enough risk of extinction that they warrant being monitored over the next year.
21 species across 16 states now considered extinct: US wildlife officials
At that point, federal officials will determine whether they should be added to the “endangered” list (for species at risk of extinction throughout much of their range) or the “threatened” list (for species likely to become endangered).
The eight animals at risk are a diverse group, from colorful fish to tiny rabbits to a bumblebee. One plant species is also under consideration.