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For Immediate Release
Protection Sought for Mohave Desert Ground Squirrel
Sacramento, CA – Defenders of Wildlife, working with noted expert, Dr. Glenn R. Stewart of California State Polytechnic University petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to list the Mohave Desert ground squirrel as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. This unique ground squirrel is found only in the West Mojave Desert, where populations have continued to decline despite protections provided by the California Endangered Species Act.
"Development in the West Mojave Desert continues to destroy and fragment habitat for the ground squirrel, which will ultimately lead to its extinction" said Cynthia Wilkerson, California Representative for Defenders of Wildlife. "Most of the ground squirrel's remaining habitat is on federal lands, resulting in the need to enlist the protections of the federal Endangered Species Act."
Defenders of Wildlife hopes that this petition to list the ground squirrel will highlight the need to protect and conserve the Mojave Desert and maintain fragile desert habitats that are critical to the survival of many desert species including the threatened desert tortoise.
Habitat fragmentation has caused the ground squirrel to disappear completely from over 20% of its range and the remainder of the range is under intense pressure. Nearly 78% of the habitat within the species' range is either severely degraded or threatened by development. California's state law has proven to be insufficient to protect Mohave ground squirrels in their remaining habitat or to protect that habitat from fragmentation, degradation, or loss caused by multiple land uses.
"As early as the 1970's, it was apparent that the ground squirrel was disappearing due to increased habitat degradation, fragmentation and loss," said Dr. Glenn R. Stewart. "With nearly 80% of the squirrels' range depleted, it is clear that the only hope for its survival lies with listing as an endangered species under the federal Endangered Species Act."
The petition to list the Mohave Desert ground squirrel as an endangered species requires that critical habitat be designated and a recovery plan developed and implemented under the Endangered Species Act.
Read the petition and learn more about Defenders of Wildlife's desert program.
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Defenders of Wildlife is a leading non-profit conservation organization recognized as one of the nation's most progressive advocates for wildlife and its habitat. With more than 475,000 members and supporters – 100,000 of which are in California—Defenders of Wildlife is an effective leader on endangered species issues. To stay current on hot topics in wildlife conservation, please visit www.defenders.org.
