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A Zone of Protection

Birds of a feather flock together. And that could help scientists at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect more birdsoand other species. Last week, officials came up with a new plan to protect endangered species. Instead of listing endangered species separately, they would be added in groups according to where they live.

"This approach will benefit the recovery of the listed species and also all the species within the native ecological community," says Dirk Kempthorne of the Department of the Interior.

Hawaii has 329 endangered plant and animal species. That's more than any other state. Wildlife officials will try the new plan on the island of Kauai (kah-wah-ee), which is rich in plant species.

Kauai's endangered species include 45 plants, two types of birds and a fly. They will get a total of 43 square miles of protected land.

Scientists hope to bring this ecosystem-based approach to other Hawaiian islands and to parts of the Arctic.

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