“Allowing a Species to Become Extinct Is a Tragedy, and We Should Do Everything in Our Power to Prevent It From Happening.”
Bill Would Support Vital Conservation Projects and the Protection of Endangered Animals
WASHINGTON — Congressman Vern Buchanan, co-chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, joined Congressman Jared Huffman (D-CA) to re-introduce the Critically Endangered Animals Conservation Act, a bipartisan bill to support conservation efforts for the world’s most endangered species.
“Allowing a species to become extinct is a tragedy, and we should do everything in our power to prevent it from happening,” said Buchanan. “This important bill would support vital conservation projects around the world and help save some of the world’s most vulnerable animals. The competitive grant program created by this bill will ensure that every dollar goes towards worthwhile projects that protect endangered wildlife.”
“The alarming acceleration in species extinction has serious consequences not only for ecosystems and wildlife, but for our economies, communities, and the future generations that will be robbed of the rich biodiversity and species we depend on today,” said Huffman. “Our bill will bring the U.S. back as a partner on the global stage to reverse the extinction crisis and support conservation projects for the world’s most vulnerable species. This is a moral and economic imperative that we cannot ignore.”
The bill establishes the Critically Endangered Animals Conservation Fund, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the agency’s Multinational Species Conservation Funds. Specifically, it authorizes $5 million per year for fiscal year 2027 through fiscal year 2032 and focuses on IUCN Red List species not already covered by existing multinational funds, including snow leopards, Andean cats, African penguins and the white-backed vulture.
The Critically Endangered Animals Conservation Act is supported by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Bonobo Conservation Initiative, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, Environmental Investigation Agency, Humane World Action Fund, Humane World for Animals, International Elephant Foundation, International Fund for Animal Welfare, International Rhino Foundation, National Resources Defense Council, Pan African Sanctuary Alliance, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Turtle Conservancy, Wild Earth Allies, Wildlife Conservation Society and World Wildlife Fund.
Buchanan, who co-chairs the Animal Protection Caucus in Congress, is a leading advocate for protecting endangered species and ending animal cruelty, introducing and co-sponsoring dozens of important animal measures over his nearly 20 years of congressional service. He is also a two-time recipient of the Humane Society’s “Legislator of the Year” award, winning the award in 2015 and 2020.
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