Threatened Florida bird makes a comeback, wildlife officials say

Federal wildlife officials are removing protections for a Florida bird no longer considered threatened while agreeing to protect 11 other local plants and animals.

Why it matters: The delisting of the wood stork — decades after it was deemed endangered in 1984 — is being hailed by the Trump administration as a conservation success story.

By the numbers: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says the wood stork was near extinction in 1984, as its population had declined by more than 75% since the 1930s.

• That was largely due to habitat loss, especially in South Florida, the agency says.
• In 2014, it was reclassified from endangered to threatened.
• Today, the bird's breeding population is estimated at between 10,000 and 14,000 nesting pairs — more than twice the number compared to when the species was listed.
• Their breeding habitat stretches across Florida and other southern states.

The other side: The Center for Biological Diversity argues the bird has not met recovery goals in South Florida and that Trump administration policies are threatening its wetland habitat, according to Inside Climate News.

Meanwhile, following a lawsuit from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agreed to finalize protections for the 11 other plant and animal species.

• Those include the Florida Keys mole skink, the Rim Rock crowned snake and the Key ring-necked snake, Inside Climate News reported.

What's next: The delisting of the wood stork will be final on March 9.