A coalition of environmental groups sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) over the silverspot butterfly, claiming the species should be listed as threatened rather than endangered.
“While we’re glad that FWS listed silverspot butterflies under the Endangered Species Act, silverspots need the full protections afforded to endangered species,” said Jennifer Best of Friends of Animals, a plaintiff in the suit.
The butterfly is found in southwestern Colorado, eastern Utah and northern New Mexico. The suit plaintiffs argue that the species’ threatened listing allows for “destructive activities” such as cattle and sheep grazing.
“Without designated critical habitat and meaningful protection from the impacts of grazing, mowing, and groundwater alteration from the livestock industry, silverspots will continue to disappear across their range,” said Delaney Rudy of the Western Watersheds Project, another suit plaintiff. WildEarth Guardians is also involved in the lawsuit.
