Colorado Lynx on the Upswing

This is an undated photograph taken in May 2009 at an undisclosed located and supplied by the Colorado Division of Wildlife that shows a lynx kitten, which is one of 10 born this spring in Colorado, according to researchers. The discovery of the kittens after finding none the last two years and the location of some of the newborns outside what is considered the cats' core area have buoyed the hopes of biologists overseeing the restoration of the long-haired mountain feline to the Centennial State. (AP Photo/Colorado Division of Wildlife) (AP)

Despite the federal government’s best efforts to downplay the resiliency of the rekindled lynx population in the Southern Rockies, this year we’ve seen an uptick in the number of wild-borne kittens.  Now, we need the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to own their legal responsibility to protect the habitat of these secretive cats.

Click here for the related Associated Press story.

Obama Restores Endangered Species Act Provision

In an effort to undo some of the damage done in the last gasp of the previous administration, President Obama issued a memorandum that will direct departments to return to the practice of  consulting  with the two agencies on decisions that could affect imperiled plants and animals.

“Today President Obama will restore rules requiring U.S. agencies consult with independent federal experts to determine if their actions might harm threatened and endangered species, according to an administration official who asked not to be identified, marking yet another reversal of President Bush’s environmental legacy.“

Read more here…

and here…

Colorado Town Overreacts to Coyotes

The Today Show aired a short (<3 minute) segment on the reaction of one Colorado town to recent reports of coyotes bitng or threatening people.  Nicole Rosmarino of WildEarth Guardians was featured as a voice of reason on the segment, and will have more to say on this topic on this blog soon.  In the meantime, you can view the segment by clicking here.