22 Sep 2016

Five American Samoan species tagged as endangered

9:30 am on 22 September 2016

A species of bat and two types of snails and birds found in American Samoa are endangered and should be listed, according to US authorities.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service has determined the Pacific sheath-tailed bat, the Mao bird, the friendly ground-dove and two land snails warrant listing as federally endangered.

It is the first time Endangered Species Act protections have been applied to species in the territory.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service said listing the species would help focus additional resources and conservation efforts.

The Pacific sheath-tailed bat can be found in American Samoa, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and Vanuatu while the Mao lives in Samoa and to a lesser extent American Samoa.

The friendly ground-dove is found in Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.

Both land snails are endemic to American Samoa.

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