Wood stork, which was on the brink of extinction in 1984, has recovered enough in Florida and other Southern states. The American wildlife officials proposed removing the waterfowl (水禽) from the endangered species list.
This symbolic species, which is the only stork native to North America, has rebounded (反弹) because dedicated partners in the southeast have worked tirelessly to restore ecosystems that support it. In addition, the wood stork has increased its range in coastal areas. The birds have adapted to new nesting areas, tripling the number of colonies across their range from 29 to 99 in recent years.
Credit goes mainly to the wildlife protections provided by the Endangered Species Act(ESA), which can impose restrictions on a variety of activities in areas where such species are, located, such as development, mining and oil drilling. The act saved the wood stork and it helped; preserve and rebuild vital habitats throughout the southeast, which has improved water quality and benefited countless other species who call the area home. The Endangered Species Act has saved 99% of the species that have been on the list since 1973, with 100 types of plants and animals delisted because they have recovered or are at least stable.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said that restoration of the wood stork’s habitat, especially in the Florida Everglades and adjacent Big Cypress National Preserve, led to a, sharp increase in breeding pairs. Those numbers had shrunk to just 5,000 pairs in 1984, whereas there are more than 10,000 pairs today.
“The proposed delisting of the wood stork is a significant milestone and a remarkable, achievement of the hard work by federal agencies, state and local governments, tribes, conservation organizations, and private citizens in protecting and restoring our most at-risk species,” Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said.
If the wood stork is delisted, officials said it would remain protected by other laws including the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Clean Water Act. A monitoring plan, would be put in place for at least five years to ensure the stork population remains stable.
12. What can be inferred about the wood stork from the text?
A.Its population is increasing. | B.It has already died out. |
C.It is widely distributed worldwide. | D.It is the most endangered species. |
13. What contribute mostly to recovering the population of the wood stork?
A.Charity organizations. | B.Federal agencies. |
C.Protections of the ESA. | D.Local companies. |
14. What is Deb Haaland’s attitude to the delisting of the wood stork?
A.Negative. | B.Doubtful. | C.Indifferent. | D.Positive. |
15. What is the best title of the text?
A.Effect of the Big Cypress National Preserve Counts |
B.Saving of the Endangered Wood Stork Progresses |
C.Efforts to Restore the Wildlife Habitat Pay Off |
D.Protection of American Native Species Works |