"The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently announced that they will be expanding protections for the threatened Canadian lynx in all lower 48 states. Although this is good news, the new rule will also reduce the area considered to be protected habitat for the lynx by 2,593 square miles from the agency’s previous proposal. This means that there will be nearly 2,600 fewer square miles in which the Canadian lynx can roam safe from mining and logging activity, hunting, and snowmobiles.
In order for threatened species to survive and thrive, they need plenty of space in which to wander, hunt, and breed. Reducing a threatened animal’s habitat is counterproductive to the goal of increasing the population of the Canadian lynx. Furthermore, reducing the protected habitat will open it up to further logging and mining activities, both of which cause pollution, deforestation, and other disruptions to the local ecosystem and the environment in general. Many wildlife advocates, including the WildEarth Guardians, have expressed their disappointment in the new rule due to the further carving up of the Canadian lynx territory.
Please let the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service know that while you approve of increased protections for the Canadian lynx, you denounce the reduction of protected habitat for the threatened species. The new rule must be amended to exclude this section if there is any chance for the Canadian lynx to increase their numbers."
