Carper Statement on Endangered Species Day

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement on Endangered Species Day.

“The Golden Rule calls us to treat others the way we would want to be treated. To me, that means that we have an obligation to care for our neighbors, including all the living things that share this planet with us. On this Endangered Species Day, we must recommit to continuing to protect the species that make our world unique.

“Delawareans have seen the benefits of such conservation efforts firsthand with two of the First State’s most beloved creatures – the horseshoe crab and the red knot. In recent years, both the red knot and horseshoe crab populations have been at risk, but, thanks to the great work that federal, state and local partners, as well as nonprofit organizations and researchers have done together, people are still able to travel from near and afar to see one of the great events in the animal kingdom.   

“Each year, the Delaware Bay, which is the largest spawning area in the world for horseshoe crabs, hosts tens of thousands of tiny, but tough, birds called red knots. As the red knots migrate from the southern tip of South America to the Arctic – a trip that is more 9,000 miles each way – they stop in Delaware to feed on horseshoe crab eggs and refuel for the rest of their journey. It is a spectacular journey for such a small shorebird and their arrival on our shores is a must-see event.

“There are incredible stories just like this all across our country. It is our responsibility to work together to ensure that our children and our grandchildren will be able to experience these phenomena for years to come and enjoy all of Earth’s creatures.”

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