A group committed to the survival of the Louisiana black bear has announced their intent to file suit to place them back on the endangered species list. The Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility contends they were removed prematurely. PEER attorney Paula Dinerstien (Dinner-stien) says bears from Minnesota were relocated to the Bayou State in the 1960s and fears the native Louisiana bears will continue to mate with them…
Dinerstien says before they can file a suit, they have to file a 60 day notice under rules in the Endangered Species Act. She is hopeful this will be enough to get the Fish and Wildlife Service to act…
In 1992, the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service declared the black bear endangered, but then revoked the designation last year after they said population had recovered sufficiently. She said having 700 native bears is not enough…
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says they stand by their decision, but decline comment on pending litigation.