The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has declared an insect once found in Madera Canyon south of Tucson extinct — one of about 200 species of animals, plants and insects that disappear every day. This trend has many scientists concerned for the state of biodiversity across the globe.
After a five-year search, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has concluded that the Stephan’s riffle beetle is now extinct. In 2002, the beetle was listed as a candidate for protection under the Endangered Species Act, but the creature hasn’t been seen in the wild since 1993.
U.S. Congressman Raul Grijalva, an Arizona Democrat, is a ranking member of the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee. He said he often sees a lack of concern for species loss.
“I think that kind of attitude leads one to the conclusion that it’s permissible. That biodiversity or life in general will recuperate somehow. But every link we lose to each other is a link that’s not going to come back," said Grijalva.
MORE: See A Timeline Arizona's Threatened And Endangered Species
Steve Spangle with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said it’s not that they don’t want to save every endangered species. It’s that they simply can’t.
“Unless we get unlimited funding and personnel at some point, we’re not going to be able to save everything, " Spangle said. So, you know, it’s analogous to a triage on a battlefield. You’ve got a number of injured soldiers and you only have the resources to save some of them.”
That means some animals may go extinct while waiting for protection.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife has not determined a reason for the Stephan’s riffle beetle’s disappearance.