Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reclassification of the Hawaiian Stilt (Kukuluae’o or Ae’o) From Endangered to Threatened With a Section 4(d) Rule
Key claim: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reclassifying the Hawaiian stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni) from endangered to threatened under the ESA and finalizing section 4(d) protective regulations.
Abstract
(Rule · Interior Department, Fish and Wildlife Service) We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are reclassifying the Hawaiian stilt (kukuluae[revaps]o or ae[revaps]o, Himantopus mexicanus knudseni; a subspecies of the black-necked stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)) from endangered to threatened (downlist) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This action is based on our evaluation of the best scientific and commercial data available, which indicates that the subspecies’ status has improved such that it is not in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range, but that it is still likely to become so within the foreseeable future. We also finalize protective regulations under the authority of section 4(d) of the Act that are necessary and advisable to provide for the conservation of the Hawaiian stilt. We recognize the Hawaiian names kukuluae[revaps]o and ae[revaps]o as additional common names.
Why this matters
ESA downlistings are relatively rare and signal that decades of habitat management (wetland restoration in Hawaii) can move a subspecies toward recovery, though threatened status retains federal protections via a tailored 4(d) rule. The practical effect is a modest shift in permitting and take prohibitions for Hawaiian wetlands managers while conservation obligations remain largely intact.