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For Immediate Release
Ivory Billed Woodpecker Discovery Cause for Celebration
Statement of Jamie Rappaport Clark, Executive Vice President, Defenders of Wildlife, Former Director, Fish and Wildlife Service
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- "Today's compelling evidence of ivory-billed woodpeckers in protected land near the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas is cause for celebration, and for reflection on what we've done right to protect the land that has been a hidden home to these mysterious birds for decades. Today, the importance of our National Wildlife Refuge System gained new meaning as our efforts to protect one of America's wild places yielded a true miracle of nature.
"The Ivory-billed Woodpecker was one of the first creatures listed as endangered when the Endangered Species Act was passed in 1973 and we never gave up on it. The Act sounded the alarm about this beautiful bird's plight and enabled us to adjust our research and habitat protection priorities in the hope that someday the bird would reappear. Now the protections provided by the Endangered Species Act and the system of laws that protect the place it calls home, take on even greater significance as we continue the hard work of bringing this magnificent bird back from the brink of extinction.
"In the end, these incredible birds remind us of a fundamental truth of biology – life finds a way, if we just give it enough room. Lost to us for more than 60 years, the ivory-billed woodpecker hung on in one of the few places we set aside for wildlife. Today's announcement is a joyous affirmation of the system of laws we have established to protect wildlife, habitat, and environmental quality.
Read more about the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker discovery.
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Defenders of Wildlife is one of the nation's most progressive advocates for wildlife and habitat, and was named as one of America's Top 100 Charities by Worth magazine. With nearly 1 million members, supporters and electronic advocates, Defenders is an effective voice for wildlife and habitat.
