Sage-Grouse Not Listed As Endangered Species By Obama Administration [Update]

The greater sage-grouse has benefited from widespread conservation efforts to the extent that the Obama administration has decided against listing the animal as an endangered species. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell announced the decision this week with The New York Times noting that if the sage-grouse had been awarded endangered species protection, development within energy and residential sectors would have been limited in the West.

"This is truly a historic effort -- one that represents extraordinary collaboration across the American West," Jewell said. "It demonstrates that the Endangered Species Act is an effective and flexible tool and a critical catalyst for conservation, ensuring that future generations can enjoy the diversity of wildlife that we do today. The epic conservation effort will benefit westerners and hundreds of species that call this iconic landscape home, while giving states, businesses and communities the certainty they need to plan for sustainable economic development."

While the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service supports the decision, some conservationist disagree.

Despite current rebounds, the greater sage-grouse has experienced steady population declines and natural habitat limitations. Because of this, conservationists believe that past population declines are a prediction of their future.

According to the WildEarth Guardians, the birds act as a kind of warning sign that signals an imbalance between development in the West and a threat to wildlife diversity.  

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