Environmentalists want lynx protected in N.M.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) – Environmentalists and animal protection groups on Monday sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

They’re trying to force the agency to extend Endangered Species Act protection to the Canada lynx in New Mexico.

The lawsuit says about 60 lynx have strayed into northern New Mexico since the Colorado Division of Wildlife began releasing the animals in Colorado in 1999.

The federal government lists the elusive cats as threatened in 14 states – but not New Mexico.

Last August, conservation groups petitioned for protection for the cats in New Mexico.

The lawsuit filed Monday in federal court in Washington, D.C., complains that Fish and Wildlife failed to make a finding on the petition within 90 days as required by the Endangered Species Act.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)