There are only about 200 Mount Graham red squirrels left on Mount Graham. Due largely to habitat loss, their numbers are dangerously low.

According to the Endangered Species Act, any action producing risk to an endangered species must undergo review with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department.

Though exempt in the past, the Mount Graham International Observatory's telescope project, run by the University of Arizona, has now exceeded the alloted 8.6 acres and must be subjected to environmental review. The review will assess the risk to the endangered red squirrel.

The telescope project's permit is up for renewal. The Center for Biological Diversity, along with the Mount Graham Coalition and the Maricopa Audubon Society are calling for a reevaluation of the impact the telescope project will have on the red squirrel.

In 2004, 250 acres of the squirrels' habitat was destroyed in order to protect the telescopes.

Without a habitat, the squirrel will perish.

Tell the U.S. Forest Service to conduct an environmental review on Mount Graham in accordance with the Endangered Species Act.

Photo credit: Gilles Gonthier