The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has partnered with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to instill the Endangered Species COVID-19 Relief Fund.
The fund, which is supported by the American Rescue Plan, hopes to cover the cost of work necessary to protect endangered species and reimburse revenue losses as a result of the pandemic.
"The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with plant and animal care facilities to conserve, protect and restore threatened and endangered species," Martha Williams, principal deputy director of the Service said in a release from AZA. "The American Rescue Plan provides critical financial support to zoos, aquariums and other institutions that were severely impacted by COVID-19. By working with AZA to distribute these funds, we hope to provide some much-needed financial relief to those who help care for imperiled species."
As the pandemic forced many zoos, aquariums and other facilities to shut down or significantly reduce visitation, these facilities continued to care for the animals and plants housed at their sites. As of May 2020, 94% of AZA's membership was closed to the public due to on-going COVID-19 concerns, the association said in the release.
"For decades, zoos, aquariums, science centers and other facilities have been working with federal, state and Tribal wildlife officials to care for and house endangered species, often at the direct request of the federal government and at the expense of the facility," AZA president and CEO Dan Ashe said in the release.
Facilities with pandemic-related losses of 25% or higher can apply for reimbursement for their work during the pandemic.
"This funding recognizes the essential work that zoos and aquariums do in partnership with the federal government to help save species. The reimbursements will provide relief to those who experienced significant losses but maintained their commitment to some of the planet’s most endangered plants and animals. We are grateful to Congress and the Biden administration for providing this crucial financial assistance," Ashe added.
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 dedicates $30 million to reimburse expenses needed to care for captive animals listed under the Endangered Species Act and rescued wildlife at risk of extinction.
Facilities that care for the designated species may be eligible for reimbursement of up to $1 million. These include native plant and animal species listed in the Endangered Species Act, ESA-listed animals rescued from the wild due to injury, threat, or disaster, and animals in the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The list also includes species that are threatened or endangered under the ESA that have been seized by a U.S. government agency and held at facilities for general animal care and welfare purposes, the release stated.
The period for reimbursement is March 2020 - May 2021. Reimbursable expenses include food, care, life support, transportation, staff time and property and utility expenses necessary to care for the animals, AZA stated in the release.
