Court of Appeal upholds measures to protect gerbils in New Mexico grasslands
Endangered rat habitat has been devastated by grazing, poor water management, drought and fires
DENVER, CO — US 10th Circuit Court of Appeals refuse a challenge posed by two livestock associations seeking to overturn the endangered New Mexico prairie gerbil’s critical habitat designation. This decision gives this remarkable rat a fighting chance to survive.
Recognizing the rat’s “special special habitat requirements,” the court found that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had adequately analyzed the economic impacts of protecting the environment. important habitat of the rat. The court stated that the “conservative benefit” of protecting rat habitats from grazing by livestock associations “is substantial while the benefit of exclusion is substantial.” little.”
Ryan Shannon, an attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, said: “I am delighted that 10th Street has maintained the necessary habitat protections for the adorable gerbils that are on the brink of extinction. this strain. “Now I hope we can focus on rehabilitating these animals, rather than protecting them from cynical attacks.”
Historically, this rat lived along streams in Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona, but its habitat has been devastated by livestock grazing, poor water management, drought, and fires. In 2016, the Fish and Wildlife Service designated 14,000 acres as critical habitat for rats across three states, providing the necessary protections where rats need to survive and thrive. return.
Two livestock associations filed lawsuits in 2018 seeking to overturn the designation. The associations state that the agency has not fully considered the economic impact of the designation of critical habitat on their grazing allocations and that it is illegal to exclude their allocations. . Both claims were dismissed by district courts first in 2020 and again last week by the 10th Circuit.
“We are in the midst of a climate crisis and dual extinction, and gerbil habitat in the New Mexico grasslands is being severely threatened by the threat of climate change,” said Samantha Ruscavage-Barz, legal director of WildEarth Guardians. grazing, stream discharge, drought and fires,” said Samantha Ruscavage-Barz, legal director of WildEarth Guardians. “This decision could mean the difference between the extinction and survival of the New Mexico prairie gerbil.”
The New Mexico prairie gerbil is unique, hibernating for up to nine months a year. This leaves a short period each summer for the tiny creatures to mate, reproduce, and gain enough weight to survive their long hibernation. Mouse request a highly specialized habitat, consisting of tall, bushy grasses and found only along year-round streams. Protecting these streams not only benefits rats, but also humans and the wildlife that depend on clean and healthy streams.
CONTACT:
Samantha Ruscavage-Barz, Guardian of WildEarth, (505) 401-4180, [email protected]
Ryan Shannon, Center for Biodiversity, (971) 717-6407, [email protected]
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