FALLS CHURCH, Va. 鈥� The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reopening a 30-day public comment period and hosting a public hearing on its proposal to list the blue tree monitor as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. On Dec. 26, 2024, the Service published an and accompanying for this listing. The temporary emergency rule federally protects the species until Aug. 23.
The blue tree monitor is endemic to the small island of Batanta, within the Raja Ampat Islands of Papua, Indonesia. Overcollection for the pet trade and habitat loss, resulting from deforestation and illegal logging, pose immediate threats to the lizard. In 2023, the United States imported 153 individual blue tree monitors, the largest annual importation to date and more than double the yearly importation average before 2023.
The reopened public comment period and notice of the public hearing will be published in the Federal Register at on Wednesday, July 16, initiating a 30-day comment period. The Service will consider comments submitted on or before Friday, Aug. 15. Details about the proposal, information on the public hearing and instructions for submitting comments can be found at鈥�鈥痷nder docket number FWS鈥揌Q鈥揈S鈥�2023鈥�0033.
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit www.fws.gov and connect with us on social media: , , (formerly known as Twitter), , and .
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