PORTLAND, Ore. — Conservation groups want the federal government to protect 32 species of snails and slugs under the Endangered Species Act.
Tierra Curry, a biologist for the Center for Biological Diversity, says that since the Bush administration took steps to allow more logging in old-growth Pacific Northwest forests, the snails and slugs are in danger of going extinct.
The petition says they perform a critical role in the food web, consuming forest litter and in turn being eaten by wildlife.
While all 32 species are rare, seven are known to inhabit only one or two locations, making them particularly susceptible to extinction. … [more]
March 15, 2008 | Topic: Latest Wildlife News
