Officials want to protect Hawaii, Guam, N. Marianas species

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wants to add 49 species from Hawaii to the Endangered Species Act.

The agency says the species are facing threats from habitat loss and deterioration.

The Wildlife Service says the plants and animals are at risk of extinction due to invasive species, recreational activities and threats from erosion, landslides and fires. They say listing the species will boost conservation efforts and improve the ecological health of the islands.

Many of the suggested species are found on Hawaii Island.

One bird proposed for listing – the band-rumped storm-petrel – occurs in Japan, Hawaii and the Atlantic.

The agency also said Tuesday that it wants to list 23 species of plants and animals on Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands as threatened or endangered.