Special mouse that blocked projects special no more, government says

[Kadie]

Special mouse that blocked projects special no more, government says
JOHN HEILPRIN, Associated Press Writer

Friday, January 28, 2005


(01-28) 16:45 PST WASHINGTON (AP) --

The Preble's meadow jumping mouse, once seen as a costly impediment to development, is now viewed by the government as a critter that never really existed -- and is no longer in need of federal protection under the Endangered Species Act.

The Interior Department said Friday that new DNA research shows the 9-inch mouse, which can launch itself a foot and a half into the air and switch direction in mid-flight, is probably identical to another variety of mouse common enough not to need protection.

"That action is based on new research that indicated the Preble's meadow jumping mouse should not be classified as a separate mouse," Assistant Interior Secretary Craig Manson said Friday, calling it "an example of the use of best available science that was peer-reviewed."

Manson and other Interior officials cited a peer-reviewed but unpublished study by the Denver Museum of Nature and Science suggesting the Preble's mouse is genetically identical to the Bear Lodge meadow jumping mouse. The study was paid for by Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service, the Energy Department, the state of Wyoming and the Denver museum.

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http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2005/01/28/national1850EST0678.DTL