23 species in CNMI endangered

3:52 pm on 1 October 2015

A total of 23 species of plants and animals in the Northern Marianas and Guam have been listed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as either threatened or endangered.

The Service identified 16 species of plants and animals in the CNMI and Guam as endangered, including the Mariana wandering butterfly and the Langford's tree snail.

The Tinian monarch is endemic to Northern Mariana Islands, and found only on the island of Tinian. 2012

The Tinian monarch is endemic to Northern Mariana Islands, and found only on the island of Tinian. Photo: Devon Pike

These 16 species are at risk of extinction because of habitat loss and degradation related to development and other activities, the effects of non-native species, and vulnerability as a consequence of reduced population size and distribution.

Seven plant species have also been identified as threatened including four species of orchid and a cycad.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs