Environmentalists act to protect endangered kangaroo rat

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

From the Associated Press:

Conservationists are taking the first step in suing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service after the agency cut the habitat for Southern California’s endangered San Bernardino kangaroo rat by two-thirds.

The Center for Biological Diversity, the San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society and the Friends of the Northern San Jacinto Valley filed a formal notice of intent Wednesday to sue the agency.

The conservation groups say the reduction in habitat will drive the animal closer to extinction.

Agency spokeswoman Jane Hendron has said the reduction was suggested for a variety of reasons, including new mapping technology that allows scientists to determine exactly what areas are critical to the animal’s conservation.