Bearded Seals Are On The Endangered Species List

The bearded seals are in danger of losing their habitat due to the ice melting.

This Monday a court ruled that a federal agency made a reasonable move in order to protect the bearded seals from getting extinct. The federal agency proposed that a species of bearded seals should be protected despite the fact that they are not in danger. The federal agency wants to keep these animals on the endangered species list.

The Court of Appeals agreed with that decision after another lower court decided that is not a proper idea. The issue is that the fisheries service might not be able to protect these animals although they are on the list because they are not in danger like the others.

The bearded seals are in danger of losing their habitat due to the ice melting. The federal agency wants to avoid this by protecting the animals. Two years ago a federal judge decided that there is no imminent threat for the seals and this is why they should not the on the list. The ruling that was given this Monday showed that seals need to be on the list because they need to avoid any possible threats.

The decision to put bearded seals on the list was challenged by many people and agencies, including Alaska Oil and Gas Association. They all mentioned that there is no need to keep the animals on the list because until 2050 they won’t have any problems. They also argued that the seals are healthy and it is unnecessary to put them on the endangered species list.

According to Kristen Monsell, an attorney for the CBD, the bearded seals registered an immense victory by being placed on the endangered species list.

The NOAA Fisheries is the federal agency that proposed this change for the bearded seals. They gave a statement is which they thank the judges for their ruling. They also mentioned that they are going to be alert and will take care of the animals. They also mentioned that they are going to work with several agencies and the state in order to protect the seals and any other animal in danger.

Do you think that the bearded seals should be on this list?

Image source: Flickr