American Pika Might Be First Animal under Federal Protections Due to Climate Change

The government is expected to decide whether a tiny, mountain-dwelling mammal should become the first animal in the continental U.S. to get federal protections primarily because of climate change. The Fish and Wildlife Service's decision about the American pika is expected Friday. If the furry, big-eared relative of the rabbit becomes protected under the Endangered Species Act, some legal experts predict it could have ramifications for future climate policies. The pika lives mostly in high, rocky mountain slopes in 10 Western states...read more

UPDATE: Federal agency denies endangered species protections for tiny pika Climate change might be hurting some populations of the American pika, a relative of the rabbit, but not enough to warrant endangered species protection for the tiny mountain-dwelling animal, according to a decision released Thursday...