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Groups say government isn't protecting wildlife along Arizona's Big Sandy River, so they're suing

The Center for Biological Diversity and Maricopa Audubon Society are suing the federal government over an alleged failure to protect wildlife along the Big Sandy River.

According to the lawsuit, the federal agencies violated the Endangered Species Act due to livestock grazing along the river. The area supports a variety of species, including the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher and northern Mexican garter snake.

willow flycatcher
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
A southwestern willow flycatcher.

Chris Bugbee is a conservation advocate for the Center for Biological Diversity.

"When you put herds, hundreds of cattle in the desert, the first thing they do is remove all the vegetation and they hang around what we call riparian zones," he said.

He also says the there are achievements to be reached.

“At the end of the day, what we’re trying to achieve is conservation and recovery of a variety of species that have been decimated along with their habitat by the cattle industry," he said.

The center says it found unauthorized cattle grazing on six of seven river miles in 2023 and 2024.

Representatives of both federal agencies told KJZZ News they do not comment on pending litigation.

Ignacio Ventura is a reporter for KJZZ. He graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in creative writing and a minor in news media and society.
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