![]() ![]() And the tribe said there simply is insufficient information on the squirrel's numbers and distribution to conclude that it is threatened. It said the squirrel actually has a large amount of habitat in all the protected land in southwest Florida. ![]() The tribe filed a seven-page letter arguing that the Big Cypress fox squirrel was not a distinct subspecies. So far, only the Seminole Tribe has filed comments in opposition to the squirrel's protection, Webber said. The developer also would be required to draft a habitat-conservation plan that would show how it would prevent the destruction of the squirrel's habitat or mitigate the destruction by creating new habitat elsewhere. If a protected species uses the wetlands, the corps would be required to seek a biological opinion from the Fish and Wildlife Service. Most major construction in Florida involves wetlands, which means permits must be obtained from the Army Corps of Engineers, the federal agency that regulates wetland development. But the designation does mean the Fish and Wildlife Service must be consulted on the possible effects of any change to their habitat. Putting an animal or plant on the list does not immediately stop development in its habitat. "Although we don't know if it's going to be listed, the service anticipates opposition due to the locality of the species," said Grant Webber, the biologist at the Fish and Wildlife Service who is taking the lead on the application. ![]() While poaching occasionally takes place, state law prohibits the hunting of the squirrels.ĭesignating a new protected species in such a fast-growing area probably would provoke opposition from developers. The squirrels live most of their lives on the ground, preferring forests without dense underbrush so they can find food and avoid bobcats, hawks and other predators. Already biologists have seen populations of the squirrels vanish. Each new golf course, citrus grove and housing development threatens to chop the squirrels' habitat into smaller pieces. Southwest Florida is now the fastest-growing part of the state. ![]()
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