A mid-Atlantic squirrel species that was one of the first animals placed on the endangered species list no longer needs federal protection, officials ruled Friday.

The Delmarva Peninsula fox squirrel, native to the mostly rural peninsula shared by Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, was removed from the list after it was determined to not be at risk of extinction.

ADVERTISEMENT

Obama administration officials are touting the removal as an example of the success of the Endangered Species Act.

“The fox squirrel’s return to this area, rich with farmland and forest, marks not only a major win for conservationists and landowners, but also represents the latest in a string of success stories that demonstrate the Endangered Species Act’s effectiveness,” Michael Bean, the Interior Department’s principal deputy assistant secretary for fish, wildlife and parks, said in a statement.

Bean joined other state and federal officials at a wildlife refuge to announce the milestone.

“The Endangered Species Act brought this squirrel back from the brink, and I’m excited we can celebrate this victory here in one of its habitats today,” said Sen. Tom Carper Thomas (Tom) Richard CarperDemocrat asks for probe of EPA's use of politically appointed lawyers Overnight Energy: Study links coronavirus mortality to air pollution exposure | Low-income, minority households pay more for utilities: report OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Democrats push resolution to battle climate change, sluggish economy and racial injustice | Senators reach compromise on greenhouse gas amendment stalling energy bill | Trump courts Florida voters with offshore drilling moratorium MORE (D-Del.), who participated in the event.

The success story comes as congressional Republicans are working to weaken or otherwise change the species law. They argue that it has been ineffective in bringing species back from extinction, pointing to the fact that only a few dozen animals have been removed from the list.

“Today’s announcement is a major victory for the Endangered Species Act and the Delmarva fox squirrel itself, and much credit is due to the federal biologists who have worked for decades to rebuild the squirrel’s populations,” Sen. Ben Cardin Benjamin (Ben) Louis CardinCongress must finish work on popular conservation bill before time runs out PPP application window closes after coronavirus talks deadlock Congress eyes tighter restrictions on next round of small business help MORE (D-Md.), a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, said in statement.

“I will continue to champion the work that the Fish and Wildlife Service does to protect endangered species in the future,” he said.