Government Shields Look-Alike Critters: Turtles, Butterflies Get Endangered Perks
Published Date: 9/26/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is updating rules for 11 animal species that look like endangered or threatened ones to make sure only the right animals get protected. These changes will remove some unnecessary rules and help focus conservation efforts better. This affects turtles, butterflies, tortoises, panthers, and sturgeons, with no new costs or deadlines announced yet.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Changing 'taking or commerce' rules for 11 species
The Service proposes to amend or remove regulations concerning taking or commerce for 11 "similarity of appearance" species. The 11 species listed include Alabama map turtle; Barbour's map turtle; Escambia map turtle; Pascagoula map turtle; bog turtle (southern DPS); cassius blue butterfly; ceraunus blue butterfly; nickerbean blue butterfly; desert tortoise (Sonoran population); puma (all subspecies except Florida panther); and shovelnose sturgeon.
Revising protections for six listed species
The Service proposes to revise regulations under section 4(e) of the Endangered Species Act to further the conservation of six listed species: Pearl River map turtle; bog turtle (northern DPS); Miami blue butterfly; Desert tortoise (Mojave DPS); Florida panther; and pallid sturgeon. The stated purpose is to ensure the rules meet the three criteria required under section 4(e) of the Act and to better focus conservation efforts.
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