# 2026-19344: Uncle Sam Checks Up on South American Black Caimans—Why?

2026-19344, Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-Year Status Review for Black Caiman, is a Federal Register notice from Interior Department, Fish and Wildlife Service published 2026-09-22, effective 2026-09-22 (as of 2026-09-29).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19344
- As of: 2026-09-29
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-19344
- Title: Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-Year Status Review for Black Caiman
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: Interior Department; Fish and Wildlife Service
- Citation: 91 FR 60145
- Published: 2026-09-22
- Effective: 2026-09-22
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-09-29

## In one line

Uncle Sam Checks Up on South American Black Caimans—Why?

## Summary

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is kicking off a 5-year checkup on the black caiman, a big South American reptile, to see how it's doing under the Endangered Species Act. They want the public to send in any new info by November 23, 2026, but will keep accepting updates anytime. This review helps decide if the black caiman’s protection status needs to change, affecting conservation efforts and funding.

## Abstract

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are initiating a 5-year status review for the black caiman (Melanosuchus niger), a large caiman species in South America, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). A 5-year status review is based on an assessment of the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. We ask the public to submit to us at any time any new information relevant to the status of the black caiman.

## Effects PRIA read

- Initiation of 5-Year Review: mixed, low. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is starting a 5-year status review for the black caiman (Melanosuchus niger), a species listed under the Endangered Species Act on June 14, 1976. The notice says the black caiman occurs in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, and Peru.
- Public Comment Window and Submission Guidance: benefit, low. The Service requests that the public submit any new information relevant to the black caiman by November 23, 2026 to ensure consideration, and states it will continue to accept information at any time. The notice lists the types of information to provide, including species biology (population trend…

## Related documents

- [2026-14629](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14629): Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations for Designating Critical Habitat, 2026-07-21
- [2026-14633](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14633): Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations Pertaining to Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants, 2026-07-21
- [2026-14299](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14299): Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revised Designation of Critical Habitat for the Contiguous U.S. Distinct Population Segment…, 2026-07-16
- [2026-14195](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14195): Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act, 2026-07-14
- [2026-12955](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12955): Process for Authorizing Seasonal Migratory Game Bird Hunting, 2026-06-26
- [2026-12951](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12951): Process for Authorizing Seasonal Migratory Game Bird Hunting, 2026-06-26

## Sources
- [2026-19344 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/22/2026-19344/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-initiation-of-5-year-status-review-for-black-caiman)
- [2026-19344 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-09-22/pdf/2026-19344.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-19342, Notice of Interim Approval of the Rate Schedule for Jim Woodruff Project](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19342)
- [Next: 2026-19347, North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19347)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19344 (as of 2026-09-29).