Endangered and Threatened Species: Removal of Colorado Hookless Cactus from the List of Endangered and Threatened Plants

Key Points

• 1The Colorado hookless cactus is being removed from the endangered species list after its population recovered successfully
• 2This cactus was protected for decades, but scientists determined it no longer needs federal protection to survive
• 3Removing it from the list means fewer legal restrictions on land development and activities in areas where the cactus grows
• 4Conservation efforts by government agencies and private landowners helped bring the cactus population back from the brink of extinction
• 5The decision was made by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the federal agency responsible for protecting endangered species

Key Dates