TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Wildlife conservationists have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over denied protections for a rare type of owl.
The Center for Biological Diversity and Defenders of Wildlife filed the lawsuit Tuesday in federal court in Arizona.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service denied protection afforded by the Endangered Species Act to the pygmy owl. There are less than 50 such birds in Arizona.
The groups petitioned the agency to grant protection, saying the pygmy owl is endangered in the Sonoran Desert in Arizona and in northern Mexico.
Conservationists say the request was denied because of new, more stringent rules mandating qualifications for endangered status.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokesman Jeff Humphrey said the agency cannot comment on pending litigation.