Ice seals might be endangered species

Washington -- The U.S. government has agreed to study Alaska's ice seals for possible listing under the Endangered Species Act.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration accepted a petition from a California environmental group seeking protection for the animals, called "ribbon seals," that inhabit Alaska's Bering Sea.

"In addition (to) reviewing the ribbon seal, we are also preparing status reviews on bearded, spotted and ringed seals for possible listing," said Doug Mecum, acting Alaska area administrator for NOAA's Fisheries Service. "While the four species of ice seals in Alaska all utilize various types of sea ice habitats, they use the ice in different ways. Therefore, careful status reviews of each species (are) warranted."

The Center for Biological Diversity, in San Francisco, petitioned NOAA to list the seals as threatened or endangered, saying global warming threatens ribbon seals with extinction because of the rapid melt of their sea ice habitat.

A decision on the ribbon seal is expected by the end of the year, with status reviews of the three other species to follow.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.