Wildlife biologists involved in lynx controversy (1/4/2001)

A number of federal and state wildlife biologists have admitted to falsely planting evidence of Canada lynx in Washington state. If the falsification had not been discovered, severe limitations on multiple uses such as hunting and trapping could have been implemented on affected Forest Service lands to protect the habitat for the animal that is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

Seven biologists, three from the USDA Forest Service, two from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and two from the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, confessed to planting samples of lynx fur in parts of the Wenatchee and Gifford Pinchot National Forests.

The scientists claimed that they were not trying to manipulate or expand the lynx habitat, but were testing the lab’s ability to identify the cat species through DNA analysis. None of the seven biologists remain in the lynx survey program. Six were reassigned and one retired.

Lynx were listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act in 2000. That listing was made despite opposing recommendations from the majority of affected state wildlife agencies.

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