The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has officially declared the Peñasco least chipmunk an endangered species, two years after proposing protection for the dwindling population in Southern New Mexico. Almost 4,400 acres of the Lincoln National Forest have been designated as critical habitat for the chipmunk, requiring any federal agency operating in this area to consult with Fish and Wildlife to prevent harm to the species.
The Peñasco least chipmunk, previously found throughout the Sacramento Mountains and near Ruidoso, is now limited to the White Mountains with declining numbers. Threats such as habitat degradation, low genetic diversity, and feral hogs have put the species at risk of extinction. The designation of critical habitat could provide more funding for conservation efforts to help the sub-species recover.
Michael Robinson, from the Center for Biological Diversity, highlighted the significance of this designation in raising awareness and ensuring a plan for recovery. While not all endangered species receive critical habitat designations, those that do have a greater chance of survival and recovery in the long term.
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