KUTV:Researchers Don't Agree If WY Mouse Exists Or Not
May 19, 2006
Researchers Don't Agree If WY Mouse Exists Or Not
CHEYENNE, Wyo. More research is out on whether the Preble's meadow jumping mouse exists or NOT, and the latest study offers a different view than the last one.This latest review of the Preble's mouse was requested and paid for by the state of Wyoming. Wyoming officials say that two researchers -- Keith Crandall and Jonathan Marshall -- could find NO genetic difference between the Preble's mouse and other mice. Governor Freudenthal said today (Friday) that the latest research shows that the mouse does NOT exist, and thus is NOT entitled to protection as an endangered species. Federal protections for the Preble's mouse stand to hold up development in Preble's mouse habitat in Colorado and Wyoming. Wyoming has asked the federal government to remove the mouse from endangered species protection. A decision is expected sometime before August sixth. A study released in January concluded that the mouse is in fact a distinct subspecies of jumping mouse and therefore is entitled to protection as an endangered species.
