WildEarth Guardians

Thursday, August 12, 2004
Notice of Intent to Sue Concerning 'Not Warranted' Black-tailed Prairie Dog Petition Finding

The Black-tailed Prairie Dog continues to suffer an onslaught of threats, including poisoning, shooting, habitat destruction, and sylvatic plague
Contact: WildEarth Guardians

The Black-tailed Prairie Dog continues to suffer an onslaught of threats, including poisoning, shooting, habitat destruction, and sylvatic plague. We have provided extensive documentation on continued actual threats to this species. The removal of the Black-tailed Prairie Dog from the candidate list will likely exacerbate existing threats and perhaps create new threats to the persistence of this species. The removal of this species from the candidate list has prompted us to advise you that we intend to see that the Endangered Species Act is enforced. The Black-tailed Prairie Dog merits listing and is a keystone species in the ecosystems it inhabits. It is your duty, under the law, to issue a listing proposal for this species, notwithstanding the considerable political pressure we are certain you are under. In addition to preventing the further imperilment of the Black-tailed Prairie Dog, listing this species will go a long way in enforcing the ecosystem protection purpose of the ESA.

Read the 60-Day Notice of Intent to Sue (PDF)