HONOLULU, Hawaii – An International Union for Conservation of Nature panel stressed the need for tighter biosecurity in Hawaii, as the islands are home to hundreds of endemic plant species threatened by invasive species.
The discussion was a part of a news conference focused on the latest update of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™, which was released Sunday at the IUCN World Conservation Congress taking place in Hawaii.
Panelists agreed Hawaii has done much to protect its native wildlife, but 87% of the assessed Hawaiian plant species threatened with extinction, more could be done.
In anticipation of the discussion on biosecurity in Hawaii, the Department of Land and Natural Resources produced this video featuring the inter-agency effort already underway, at places like Kahului Airport on Maui.
Thirty eight of the 415 endemic Hawaiian plant species assessed for the update are listed as Extinct and four other species have been listed as Extinct in the Wild, meaning they only occur in cultivation.
FULL PRESS CONFERENCE
https://youtu.be/IPiaVmAFUdk?t=6m5s
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STORY SUMMARY
HONOLULU (BIVN) - Panelists agreed Hawaii has done much to protect its native wildlife, but 87% of the assessed Hawaiian plant species threatened with extinction, more could be done.