Tell Ken Salazar to Protect the Nation's Most Endangered Species

Tell Ken Salazar to Protect the Nation's Most Endangered Species

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Being on America's Top 40 list for 15 years is not a good sign for the Warton's cave spider.<br /><br />As one of America's Top 40 most endangered species, the cave spider needs immediate protection by the Endangered Species Act, according to a list kept by the Fish and Wildlife Service.<br /><br />Alas, not only has the spider been on their Top 40 list for over a decade, the last one was seen in 2001. In fact, it's been waiting to be protected for so long, the lock on the gate to the only cave it occupies has rusted shut, while the landowner denies government biologists access to verify whether the species even still exists.<br /><br />Is this how we should treat our rarest animals and plants?<br /><br />When the Obama administration hit the 100-day mark, we issued an in-depth report examining the Top 40 list and the most endangered species on it -- all of which still await protection through the Endangered Species Act.<br /><br />In our report, we found some disturbing statistics. On average, members on the Top 40 list have waited an average of 13 years for federal protection. Some have even been waiting as long as 21 years, and after all this time, many might now be extinct.<br /><br />These are our most imperiled animals and plants, and we must treat them with special care if they have any chance at survival. Please contact Interior Secretary Ken Salazar by Wednesday, May 27th, and urge swift federal protection for America's Top 40.&nbsp;<br /><br />While Bush made his mark as the most anti-environment president in modern history, we are still hoping for a real commitment to endangered species under Obama. Perhaps they're off to a slow start, but our nation's most endangered plants and animals don't have the luxury of time.&nbsp;<br /><br />Ask Secretary Salazar to unlock the cave spider's rusted gate, and provide protection for this animal, and all the other most endangered species on the brink of extinction.<br /><br /><a href="http://ga4.org/campaign/america_top_40">http://ga4.org/campaign/america_top_40</a>

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