Groups plan to sue federal wildlife officials over manatee protection

Conservation groups announced that they’re planning to sue federal wildlife officials due to failing to protect the West Indian manatee following record death rates.

The legal notice follows a November petition urging FWS to reclassify the species from threatened to endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The conservation groups said FWS was required by law to determine within 90 days whether the petition presents substantial information indicating the reclassification may be warranted. No findings have been issued yet, even though more than 150 days have gone by, the groups said.

"I’m appalled that the Fish and Wildlife Service hasn’t responded to our urgent request for increased protections for these desperately imperiled animals," Center for Biological Diversity attorney Ragan Whitlock said in a statement. "It’s painfully clear that manatees need full protection under the Endangered Species Act, and they need it now."