Environmental groups sue to return West Virginia flying squirrel to endangered species list

Groups sue to make rare flying squirrel endangered

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Environmental groups are suing the federal government to return a type of flying squirrel to the endangered species list.

The small nocturnal squirrel is only found in higher elevations of West Virginia and one county in Virginia. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed it from the list under the Bush Administration after a count found 1,200 of the animals. That was up from 10 animals spotted in 1985.

The groups say they filed the lawsuit because they claim the agency did not follow its own recovery plan for the species. They’re also concerned that the squirrels’ habitat is now in danger of development.

The Department of Interior declined to comment on the litigation.