Fish and Wildlife reduces bighorn sheep habitat LOS ANGELES—U.S.
Fish and Wildlife announced on Tuesday it would be reducing the
habitat area for the endangered Peninsular bighorn sheep by more
than half across Southern California. Stephanie Weagley, a
spokeswoman for the agency, said the new designation came about
because they had refined the process allowing officials to trim
areas not critical to the animal's survival. Weagley said she
doesn't believe the change will harm the sheep. "We had acquired
more accurate and specific information on the habitat components
and areas that were consistently occupied by the sheep," she
said. Lisa Belenky, senior attorney for the Center for
Biological Diversity, however, blasted the change. The
environmental group is considering taking legal steps to
challenge the cuts. "Today's designation is a blueprint for
extinction, not recovery," she said. The change was compelled by
a lawsuit filed by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians
and homebuilder associations represe