• About BCR
  • News
  • News @ BCR
  • Rescues
  • Issues
  • Cat Laws
Thursday, May 19, 2022
  • Login
  • Register
Big Cat Rescue
  • Get Involved
  • Cub Facts
  • The Sanctuary Cats
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
Big Cat Rescue
  • Get Involved
  • Cub Facts
  • The Sanctuary Cats
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
Big Cat Rescue
No Result
View All Result
Home News World

Conservation Groups Appeal Ruling on Failure to Designate

Carole by BCR
May 7, 2011
in News World
0 0
0
0
SHARES
0
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Email

Critical Habitat for Endangered Florida Panther

 

Florida-Panther_3638

April 20, 2011 (Fort Myers, FL) Conservation groups today appealed a federal judge’s ruling in the hopes of finally protecting critical habitat for the Florida panther, which has been listed as endangered for more than 40 years. The appeal, filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, challenges a ruling earlier this month that upheld a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decision not to identify and protect what is left of the panther’s shrinking habitat among sprawling development in South Florida.

In February 2010, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Sierra Club, Center for Biological Diversity, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility and the Council of Civic Associations, filed a lawsuit challenging the Service’s denial of their petitions to designate critical habitat for the panther. This designation would give the panther the greatest protection available under the federal Endangered Species Act and promote its recovery from the brink of extinction. At present, about 120 Florida Panthers survive in the wild – clinging to less than five percent of their historic range.

On April 6, 2011 a federal district judge dismissed the groups’ lawsuit. The judge’s order recognized the panther’s gravely imperiled status, citing to prior cases which called the panther “one of the rarest large mammals in the United States” and “one of the most endangered large mammals in the world.” Nevertheless, the judge found that, because the panther was listed as endangered before the critical habitat provisions were added to the Endangered Species Act, the Service’s action was entirely discretionary and therefore not subject to judicial review.

Andrew McElwaine, President of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, pointed out that “in effect, the Judge said the Service does not have to designate critical habitat for the panther because the panther has been endangered for too long. We trust the 11th Circuit will reverse.”

Frank Jackalone, Florida Staff Director for the Sierra Club, said the ruling was especially disappointing in light of the heavy mortality to the panther population last year and so far in 2011. According to Jackalone, 23 panthers were killed last year, and 11 more have already died in 2011, mostly due to collisions with cars. The 2011 figures may be understated, as some recent panther deaths have not been publicly posted because they are still under official investigation.

“You can’t protect endangered species without protecting the places they live and that’s what needs to happen to give the Florida panther any shot at survival,” said Michael Robinson of the Center for Biological Diversity. “We’re confident that the appellate court will recognize that the Interior Department has the authority and the urgent responsibility to protect critical habitat for the panther, which is disappearing as gated subdivisions and strip malls replace forests and wetlands in South Florida.”

“Unfortunately, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has an extinction strategy rather than a recovery strategy for the Florida panther,” said PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch, who also notes that the Service’s science has been manipulated to mask the truly dire plight of the panther.

Ann Hauck, of the Council of Civic Associations, states: “The Service has not issued a single jeopardy Biological Opinion for the entire Southeastern United States since 1993, even as unchecked development has caused increasing panther deaths. The Florida panther is going to disappear forever unless the federal government undertakes protective measures that work.”

For further information on Florida Panther mortality rates, please go to: http://www.floridapanthernet.org/index.php/pulse

 

 

Previous Post

Robin Williams unleashed as a Bengal tiger

Next Post

Mexico Seizes 8 Tigers from Cancun Menagerie

Carole

BCR

Big Cat Rescue is Caring for Cats and Ending the Trade

Related Posts

News World

Enrichment Program @ BIG CAT RESCUE!

May 7, 2022
70
Zanesville Massacre 18 tigers 17 lions 3 cougars gunned down
News World

Zanesville Massacre 18 tigers 17 lions 3 cougars gunned down

October 20, 2021
9k
Vanessa Hudgens Shame
Cat Laws

Cub Petting Shame

September 12, 2021
5.9k
Snow Leopard
News @ BCR

Save Snow Leopards

April 17, 2021
4.5k
Be Safe Out There!
How To Start A Sanctuary

Rules

March 31, 2020
528
Next Post

Mexico Seizes 8 Tigers from Cancun Menagerie

Leave a Reply

  • Default Comments (0)
  • Facebook Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Help Feed Big Cats

One of the best ways to help is through general donations that can be used however it is most needed at the time.To make a general donation just click the Donate Now button below.  This is the best way to give as it has the lowest credit card processing fees and is immediate help for the cats.

Give to Big Cat Rescue

If you prefer to donate via Pay Pal, please use this link: Pay Pal

Recent Articles

  • Film May 9, 2022
  • Enrichment Program @ BIG CAT RESCUE! May 7, 2022
  • Enrichment May 7, 2022

More From BigCatRescue

  • Big Cat Rescue is Live 24/7 on Webcams
  • Rescue Missions
  • About Big Cat Rescue
  • Big Cat Rescue News
  • Reviews
  • Our Recent Work
  • Sanctuary FAQs
  • Big Cat TV

Sanctuary Cats

  • Jaguars
  • Leopards
  • Lions
  • Tigers
  • Bobcats
  • Canada Lynx
  • Cougars
  • Ocelots
  • Savannah Cats
  • Servals

Ways to Help

  • Newsletter SignUp
  • Donate Now
  • Shop
  • Wish List
  • Volunteer
  • Contact Us
  • View AMP Version

Save Big Cats

Donate to Big Cat Rescue
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • About BCR
  • News @ BCR
  • Videos
  • Big Cat Facts
  • Cub Facts
  • Sanctuary Cats
  • Shop and Save Cats
  • Volunteer
  • Donate
  • Abuse Issues
  • Contact Us

© Copyright 2021 BigCatRescue.Org. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptReject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
SAVE & ACCEPT

Add New Playlist