Lynx Nixed From List

Environmental groups blame politics for the Clinton administration’s recent refusal to list the Canada lynx as threatened or endangered in several areas, including Washington state, the northern Rocky Mountains, upper Midwest and New England.

Critics said the decision contradicts earlier recommendations by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists. But the agency said it was unable to verify that human activities are threatening the rare cat.

Jasper Carlton, director of the Colorado-based Biodiversity Legal Foundation, said the decision was made to avoid a potential clash with timber interests. He pledged to sue the government to protect the lynxes.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Compiled from staff and wire reports