Conservation Groups Intervene in Cattle Ranchers’ Lawsuit Challenging Endangered Species Act Protection for Rare Birds

The Center for Biological Diversity and the Maricopa Audubon Society filed a Motion to Intervene as defendants in a lawsuit brought by New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association against the U.S Fish & Wildlife Service in which the Association is challenging Endangered Species Act protection for the Southwestern willow flycatcher, a rare bird species. The New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association is represented by Pacific Legal Foundation, a group that has worked for decades to remove legal protections for numerous imperiled species, including Southern Resident orcas and woodland caribou.