Endangered Idaho Snail Losing Habitat

January 2nd, 2007 in Biology /
Endangered Idaho Snail Losing Habitat (AP)

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist Cary Myler counts tiny Bruneau hot springsnails, Dec. 15, 2006, that thrive in geothermally heated springs seeping along the Bruneau River in southwestern Idaho. A decade ago, the snails were at the center of a national battle over federal laws designed to protect endangered species. Today, years after the lawsuits were decided and most of the rhetoric retired, they are closer to extinction than ever before (AP Photo/Christopher Smith)

(AP) -- After clambering down a canyon wall, ducking poison ivy vines and wading chest-deep across a lukewarm stream, Cary Myler spied some flecks that look like pepper sprinkled on a wet rock and announced, "Found some."

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