Pacific Walrus Will Be Reviewed For Federally Protected Status, Thanks To Projected Sea Ice Loss

[hatrack]

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A second Arctic marine mammal moved closer to an Endangered Species listing due to global warming Tuesday with a petition to grant the Pacific walrus protection passing its first review. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that a petition presented by the Center for Biological Diversity provided substantial information that listing the walrus as threatened or endangered was warranted.

The determination was based in part on projected changes in sea ice associated with climate change. The Center for Biological Diversity and other groups successfully petitioned for protection of polar bears using the same argument. Center spokeswoman Rebecca Noblin said Tuesday that unless immediate action is taken to reduce greenhouse gases, warming will claim walrus as a victim.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife determination triggers a detailed status review, including a 60-day public comment period. The comment period closes Nov. 9. "Climate change is the primary threat, but the offshore oil development in the Chukchi and Bering seas is also a problem," she said. Walruses could be forced into a land-based existence for which they are not adapted, she said.

The center petitioned for a walrus listing in February 2008 and sued in December when the agency missed its "90-day" initial finding deadline. The case was settled in May when the Fish and Wildlife Service agreed to make an initial determination by Sept. 10.

EDIT

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j9aV0ROdcdWzWf19M8bAS0uftv_AD9AJDRB80

[damntexdem]

1. Koo koo kachu.

[PearliePoo2]

2. hatrack...thanks for all the environmental articles you post.

I try to read most of them, even though they are often disturbing and startling.
But defining and recognizing a problem is the first step to solving one.