Obama administration revokes last-minute action by Bush to limit endangered species protection

October 6th, 2009 Survey finds Cook Inlet belugas declining againANCHORAGE, Alaska — A survey finds that the number of beluga whales in Cook Inlet is again declining. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration report released Tuesday shows the numbers have slipped again to 321 animals, down from an estimated 375 animals in 2007 and 2008.

September 15th, 2009 Obama administration submits salmon planPORTLAND, Ore. — The Obama administration says it will be more aggressive in protecting declining Pacific Northwest salmon runs and will study breaching some dams as a last resort in a long-awaited management plan.

August 18th, 2009 Agency says 29 species may need federal protectionSALT LAKE CITY — Twenty-nine species in more than 20 states — from a rare beach-dwelling plant in Yellowstone National Park to a caddisfly in Nebraska — may need federal protections to avoid extinction, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

August 15th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Central Zoo Authority has initiated a coordinated conservation breeding programme for 70 critically endangered species in Indian zoos, an official statement Saturday said. "The Central Zoo Authority has initiated a planned coordinated conservation breeding programme for critically endangered species in Indian zoos.

August 12th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A team of scientists from Canada has uncovered alarming invasion of the round goby fish into Great Lakes tributaries, which is likely to make an adverse impact on endangered fishes in the region. The team, from the University of Toronto (U of T), the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the University of Guelph has identified a drastic invasion of round goby into many Great Lakes tributaries, including several areas of the Thames, Sydenham, Ausable and Grand Rivers.

August 11th, 2009 OR judge request for another month for salmon planPORTLAND, Ore. —A federal judge has given the Obama administration another month before informing him of its plans for improving salmon restoration efforts in the Columbia Basin.

August 6th, 2009 Man indicted in death of Hawaiian monk sealHONOLULU — A federal grand jury has indicted a 78-year-old Kauai man in the shooting death of an endangered Hawaiian monk seal in May. The indictment was returned Wednesday against Charles Vidinha, who is charged with violating the Endangered Species Act.

July 16th, 2009 Obama administration scraps Bush logging planGRANTS PASS, Ore. — The Obama administration on Thursday scrapped the Bush administration's last-ditch attempt to boost logging in Northwest forests by scaling back protection for the northern spotted owl.

July 1st, 2009 Judge overturns Bush administration logging ruleGRANTS PASS, Ore. — A federal judge has struck down the Bush administration's change to a rule designed to protect the northern spotted owl from logging in national forests.

June 30th, 2009 Great Lakes wolves returning to endangered listTRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — More than 4,000 gray wolves in the upper Great Lakes region are going back on the federal endangered species list — at least temporarily.

June 30th, 2009 Protection sought again for giant, spitting wormsSPOKANE, Wash. — Fans of the giant Palouse earthworm are once again seeking federal protection for the rare, sweet-smelling species that spits at predators.

June 11th, 2009 Judge finds violation in Calif. forest planningLOS ANGELES — Federal agencies violated the Endangered Species Act by developing plans for four national forests in California without adequately addressing the impact on endangered animals, a judge ruled.

June 4th, 2009 Environmentalists plan suit to protect ice sealsANCHORAGE, Alaska — An environmental group plans to sue the federal government to force a decision on additional protections for Arctic seals. The Center for Biological Diversity said in a notice of intent to sue sent this week to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that it missed a deadline required by law for an endangered species listing decision on ringed, bearded and spotted seals.

June 2nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - The loss of endangered species sends alarm bells ringing among conservationists, but what happens to the parasites they host? Although most people would side with the panda over the parasite, which group should we worry about more? North Carolina State University (NCSU) biologist Rob Dunn and colleagues examined the concept of co-extinction, the loss of one species upon the extinction of another. "Decline in host species could drive parasite species to switch onto alternative hosts, which could escalate the rate of emerging pathogens and parasites both for humans and our domesticated animals and plants," Dunn said.

April 28th, 2009 Gov't revokes rule limiting species protectionsWASHINGTON — Federal agencies again will have to consult with government wildlife experts before taking actions that could have an impact on threatened or endangered species. The Obama administration said Tuesday it was overturning a rule change made in the final weeks of the Bush presidency.