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Palouse earthworm won't receive Endangered Species Act protection

October 9, 2007, 4:35 pm

The giant Palouse earthworm won’t gain Endangered Species Act protection.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife service announced today it is rejecting a petition from environmentalists to protect the lily-smelling worm that is known to spit at attackers. The petition lacks scientific data indicating the worm, which can grow up to 3 feet long, warrants protection under the act, according to officials from the service.
“We share the petitioners’ concern for the species,” said Susan Martin, supervisor for the Upper Columbia Fish and Wildlife Office at Spokane. “While we will not be initiating an in-depth status review at this time, we will continue to cooperate with others to monitor the species’ status, trends, and life history needs, and we encourage interested parties to continue to provide us with information that will assist with the conservation of the species.”
The Palouse Prairie Foundation, the Palouse Audubon Society, Friends of the Clearwater, and three private citizens filed a petition to protect the worm in August of last year. The groups filed a notice of intent to sue the agency last month after it failed to act on the petition in the time required by law.

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