ALERT: ESA listing for two reptile species and two others

UPDATE 7/15/25: FWS is reopening the comment period on the proposed rule to list the blue tree monitor (Varanus macraei), as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted and will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule. The comment period will last for 30 days.

Public hearing: On July 31, 2025, FWS will hold a public hearing on the proposed rule to list the blue tree monitor as an endangered species under the Act from 12 to 2 p.m. Eastern Time. The public hearing will allow an opportunity to present verbal testimony.

Register for the hearing at https://www.fws.gov/event/virtual-public-hearing-proposed-listing-blue-tree-monitor.

Read the full document at https://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/25-blue-tree-monitor-update-1.pdf.

UPDATE: The comment deadline for the blue tree monitor ESA listing is February 24 at 11:59 PM EST. For this species, please submit the information below before the deadline:

• Anyone who has successfully bred this species should comment, even if the breeding was years ago and you no longer keep or breed the species;
• Supply as much information as possible, including photos of breeding, hatching, hatchlings, etc.
• Include clutch sizes, number of monitors produced, how many years producing babies, etc.

Comment at this link and click “COMMENT.” You can upload files, PDFs, Word docs, photos, etc. https://www.regulations.gov/document/FWS-HQ-ES-2023-0033-0005

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UPDATE 12/27/24: FWS has used emergency rulemaking to apply a 240-day temporary listing for the blue tree monitor (Varanus macraei) as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This is effective immediately. FWS has proposed that this listing will be permanent. They can choose not to list the species if the evidence does not support the listing, or they can modify the listing. This will now be an expedited process. Anyone working with this species, especially those who have successfully bred it, should submit information (see full alert for info) to FWS. Comments must be submitted by February 24, 2025.

For more information on this emergency rule, contact Rachel London, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041–3803; telephone 703–358–2171.

Read the Federal Register notice at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/12/26/2024-30375/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-emergency-listing-of-the-blue-tree-monitor-as-an

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Borneo earless monitor petition: https://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/earless-petition.pdf

Blue tree monitor 90-day finding review form: https://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/90-DAY-FINDING-blue-tree.pdf

UPDATE 8/17/23: This has been posted in the Federal register at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/08/17/2023-17726/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-90-day-findings-for-five-species. FWS will begin its status reviews of these species to determine if ESA-listings are warranted. At this time, FWS requests scientific and commercial data and other information regarding these species.

For the Blue tree monitor and Bornean earless monitor, FWS specifically request information on: (a) identification of shortcomings in existing regulations that are contributing to population-level effects on the species; and (b) information on any trade in the species, including evidence of trade levels, trends, and patterns, and any changes over time.

You may submit comments by:

(1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter FWS–R8–ES–2023–0035 for the bleached sandhill skipper, FWS–HQ–ES–2023–0033 for the blue tree monitor lizard, FWS–HQ–ES–2023–0034 for the Bornean earless monitor lizard, or FWS–R6–ES–2022–0177 for the pinyon jay. Then, click on the “Search” button. After finding the correct document, you may submit information by clicking on “Comment.” You may type your comment or attach a documents(s).

(2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail to: Public Comments Processing, Attn: [Enter Docket No.; please use FWS–R8–ES–2023–0035 (for the bleached sandhill skipper), FWS–HQ–ES–2023–0033 (for the blue tree monitor lizard), FWS–HQ–ES–2023–0034 (for the Bornean earless monitor lizard), or FWS–R6–ES–2022–0177 (for the pinyon jay)], U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: PRB/3W, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041–3803.

Bleached sandhill skipper: Sue Cameron, Biologist, Asheville, North Carolina Field Office, 828–450–7469, susan_cameron@fws.gov.

Blue tree monitor lizard: Demetra Panos, Biologist, Ecological Services Headquarters, 636–346–4900, demetra_panos@fws.gov.

Bornean earless monitor lizard: Amanda Hyman, Biologist, Ecological Services Headquarters, 703–358–2480, amanda_hyman@fws.gov.

Pinyon jay: Yvette Converse, Project Leader, Utah Field Office, 801–975–3330; yvette_converse@fws.gov.

You can read more about the problems caused by the ESA listing of nonnative species at https://usark.org/23esa/.