The cactus ferruginous pygmy owl is a tiny owl that nests in tree and cactus cavities throughout the southwestern United States. Despite their small size, the native birds benefit the ecosystem by hunting and catching rats, mice, lizards and other prey up to twice their size.
Today, fewer than 50 cactus ferruginous pygmy owls remain in the U.S. The factors leading to the owl's decline include invasive species, fires and drought. Unfortunately, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service renewed their 2006 decision to keep the owls off the endangered species list, reasoning that larger populations exist in Mexico. According to Defenders of Wildlife President Jamie Rappaport Clark, the same reasoning would have prevented protections for the gray wolf and bald eagle.
Declining protection for this rare, interesting bird sets a precedent for future decisions regarding declining species. Please sign the petition to restore endangered species protections for the cactus ferruginous pygmy owl.
We, the undersigned, are disappointed with your recent decision to decline endangered species protections for the cactus ferruginous pygmy owl. The tiny owl is native to the southwestern United States and benefits the ecosystem by hunting rat and mouse populations.
While we understand that a larger number of these owls live in Mexico, we believe that our national population deserves the same protections offered to gray wolves and bald eagles, which are also more prevalent in Central America.
Please reconsider your decision to remove cactus ferrungous pygmy owls from the endangered species list. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this petition.
