By Rhishja Larson •
August 28, 2009
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced that they will consider listing the Sonoran desert tortoise as a distinct population.
A 90-day finding on a petition to list the Sonoran desert tortoise (Gopherus agasizzii) as a distinct population (DPS) under the Endangered Species Act has been announced by the USFWS. This announcement has come after the review of filed petitions showed substantial evidence that the Sonoran desert tortoise may meet the criteria of “discreteness and significance” required for distinct population segments.
By Rhishja Larson •
August 11, 2009
The Mexican gray wolf population continues to struggle at just 52 wolves. However, listing the species as a “distinct population segment” may hold the key to recovery.
The Center for Biological Diversity issued a press release today to announce that they have filed a petition with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to formally separate the Mexican gray wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) from other wolf populations in the United States and list it as either an endangered subspecies or a “distinct population segment.”
Although a 1982 reintroduction effort along the Arizona-New Mexico line hoped to result in at least 100 wolves in the wild, and 18 breeding pairs by 2006, the most recent survey - conducted in 2008 - found only 52 wolves. Unfortunately, illegal shootings, combined with complaints by ranchers who claim to have lost cattle to wolves (wolves that have been involved in three livestock kills in a year can be killed or trapped by federal agents), have taken their toll on the reintroduction plan.
By Rhishja Larson •
August 4, 2009
A luxury-home subdivision in the heart of designated California Condor habitat?
That’s exactly what Tejon Ranch Company (TRC) has in mind.
In fact, Tejon Ranch Company (TRC) has had it in for the California Condors since at least 1997. That’s when they sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to prevent the reintroduction of the species into Southern California.
Why would TRC be opposed to the reintroduction of California Condors?
Because TRC would be prevented from developing any land that is designated California Condor habitat. And if a publicly traded real estate development company can’t develop real estate …. well, then they can’t make a profit.
In fact, TRC has gone to tremendous lengths to push their development deal through. Under the cloak of a “habitat conservation plan” - to mitigate “incidental take” of threatened or endangered species - they even finagled the support of major environmental organizations, like the Sierra Club.
