Delaware Endangered Species List Is Now Up To 86 Species
It’s hard to believe that our little state of Delaware is home to a number of threatened and endangered plant and animal species. Some of the best known of these are the Leatherback Sea Turtle, Mud Salamander, Sperm Whale, Atlantic Sturgeon, Bethany Beach Firefly and the Delmarva Fox Squirrel.
The Delmarva Fox Squirrel used to be common in the state. These squirrels were nationally listed as an endangered species, but removed in 2015. However, they do remain on Delaware’s list. According to DNREC, the squirrel has been reintroduced into the first state in surrounding Delmarva arras in an effort to have them removed from Delaware’s list of most endangered. The most recent release was last year, in 2022.
The First State now lists 86 species as endangered or threatened. The law provides regulations for the conservation of threatened and endangered plants and animals and the habitats in which they are found. Title 7 of the Annotated Code of Delaware prohibits the importation, transportation, possession, or sale of any part of an endangered species of fish or wildlife.
Here are some of the most endangered species here in the first state. See the full list of all of Delaware’s endangered species here.