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Defenders News Briefs Summer 2006
Defenders Takes Steps to Protect Idaho's Wolves
Defenders recently announced it may take the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to court for agreeing to transfer wolf management to the state of Idaho, which does not have a conservation-minded wolf plan in place. The state legislature passed a resolution in 2002 calling for the eradication of wolves in Idaho "by any means necessary." Idaho is also proposing to eradicate 75 percent of the wolves in one district in the Clearwater National Forest to address the declining elk population even though most scientists agree that habitat loss, not wolves, is the cause.
Keeping Sea Otters Safe in California Waters
Defendersis leading a coalition of conservation groups working to ensure that the state of California passes legislation this summer that would better protect the federally threatened sea otter from illegal killings, water pollution and disease. The bill, introduced in February, calls for fines of up to $25,000 for illegal killings, establishes a research program to address pollution and changes labels on cat litter packaging to encourage pet owners to throw used litter into the garbage instead of flushing it down the toilet. Research is showing that many sea otters have been infected with a deadly parasite found in cat feces. Visit Sea Otters to learn more.
Defenders Moves to Protect Pygmy Owl
Defenders and other conservation groups filed a lawsuit in May against the Bush administration over its decision to remove the species from the federal list of endangered species. The move is a last-ditch effort to save the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl from extinction in Arizona. Pygmy owls are jeopardized by sprawling development in the Tucson area, and there may be as few as 13 pygmy owls left in the United States.
Defenders Intends to Sue to Protect Shorebird
Defenders and a coalition of conservation groups announced in May their intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) for violating the Endangered Species Act when it failed to protect the red knot. Defenders believes FWS did not consider the best scientific data available. The migratory shorebird's population has drastically declined over the last decade, and scientists predict the species could go extinct as soon as 2010. For more, see Red Knots.
