"US Sounds Alarm as 21 Endangered Species Vanish: A Wake-Up Call"

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has declared 21 endangered species as extinct, including the Little Mariana fruit bat and 10 birds, two fish, and eight mussels. The agency emphasized the importance of conserving imperiled species before it's too late and highlighted how human activity contributes to habitat loss, overuse, and the introduction of invasive species and diseases. The Endangered Species Act, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, aims to protect nearly extinct species through early intervention. The decision comes as a reminder of the urgent need for conservation efforts to prevent further species decline and extinction.