U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Announces Change in Status for Kangaroo Rats

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) announced that it is downlisting the Stephens’ kangaroo rat from endangered to threatened. The species is unique to Southern California and has lost much of its habitat due to agriculture and commercial development, The change in classification for the nocturnal rodent will be effective March 21, 2022.