A coalition of conservation and animal protection groups (including the then–Animal Protection Institute, now Born Free USA united with Animal Protection Institute) on Monday sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to force it to extend federal protection to Canada lynx in New Mexico. The federal government lists the elusive, furry cats as threatened in 14 states — but not in New Mexico. Last August, the coaliion petitioned for protection for the cats, asking the agency to make a decision on the species’ status in New Mexico. The lawsuit filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., complains that Fish and Wildlife failed to make a finding on the petition within 90 days as required by the Endangered Species Act. The law gives the agency 90 days to determine whether the petition provides sufficient information for the agency to then determine whether a listing may be warranted.
Conservationists sue for lynx protection in New Mexico
Sue Major Holmes
Associated Press