Sarah Palin Attacks Beluga Whales

ANCHORAGE, Alaska— The state of Alaska today formally notified the federal government of its intent to sue to overturn recent protections given to the critically endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale under the Endangered Species Act. In October 2008 the Cook Inlet beluga whale was listed as endangered by the federal National Marine Fisheries Service over the objections of Governor Sarah Palin. The listing occurred following petitions and litigation by the Center for Biological Diversity and other organizations.

Alaska ’s legal action against the beluga whale marks the second time in recent months that Governor Palin’s administration has launched legal attacks against endangered species on behalf of the oil industry; in August 2008 Palin filed suit seeking to overturn federal protection for the polar bear.

“Once again Governor Palin has demonstrated either a complete lack of understanding or lack of concern over the plight of endangered species,” said Brendan Cummings, oceans program director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Governor Palin seems more than willing to sacrifice endangered whales on the altar of oil company profits.”

Cook Inlet is the most populated and fastest growing watershed in Alaska, and is subject to significant proposed offshore oil and gas development in beluga habitat. Additionally, the proposed Knik Arm Bridge, a billion-dollar boondoggle which would shorten the Governor’s commute from Wasilla to Anchorage, will directly impact some of the whale’s most important habitat.

The Cook Inlet beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) is a genetically distinct and geographically isolated population whose numbers have plummeted in recent decades. Recent surveys show the Cook Inlet beluga whale’s population now hovers around 375 animals, down from an estimated population of approximately 1,300 whales in the 1980s. The Cook Inlet beluga whale is one of five populations of beluga, or white whales, in Alaska.

“Governor Palin must be suffering from an Ahab complex; she has an irrational obsession with driving the white whale extinct,” said Brendan Cummings, oceans program director at the Center for Biological Diversity.
-------------------------


Governor Sarah Palin just announced she's making the state of Alaska sue to strike down Endangered Species Act protection for the imperiled Cook Inlet beluga whale. The rare white whale's population has already plummeted from thousands to just 375. They will certainly go extinct if Palin has her way.

This isn't the first time Governor Palin has tried to sacrifice endangered species to the oil and gas industry. Last August, after a Center for Biological Diversity-led campaign won federal protection for the polar bear, she filed suit to strike the protections down in order to make things easier for Big Oil in the Arctic.

The Center's lawyers and scientists are in court already to block Palin's anti-polar bear actions, and we'll soon jump in to save the beluga from her clutches as well.

Apparently, it's not enough for Palin to promote the shooting of wolves from helicopters. Her bloodthirsty attitude towards wildlife extends to wiping out whole species that are barely surviving. She is going after endangered animals with missionary zeal, ignoring government scientists and running roughshod over the law.