Oil and Gas Project Threatens Lynx

In an area of wilderness outside of Yellowstone National Park where there may be only about 10 wild lynx left, an oil and gas project has been proposed. Why does it appear oil companies like to drill in critical wildlife habitat?

The Forest Service has said of the wild habitat, “Experts have described the southern portions of the project area and the land immediately south of the project area as vital to the survival of lynx in Wyoming, and as the highest quality lynx habitat within the state.” (Source: Defenders of Wildlife)

The area where the proposed oil and gas project could be begun is the Upper Hoback Basin, which is also habitat for antelope, mule deer, moose, black bears, mountain lions and wolves. The species potentially most impacted by the project would likely be the Canada lynx, because of the large number of snowshoe hares living there, and the lynx use them for food.

It isn’t just the land animals that are threatened though – the Hoback River could also be damaged. A conservation organization called American Rivers has said this: “The Hoback River is threatened with catastrophic damage to water quality if the US Forest Service permits natural gas drilling in its headwaters.” (Source: American Rivers)

They also echo the view expressed in the video below, that local people must get accurate valid readings of the water quality in their wells, so they have proper documentation that can be used in lawsuits if there is any water contamination due to the oil and gas project.

Grassroots efforts to protect Wyoming’s beautiful and abundant wilderness met with success earlier this year, when gas and oil leases were cancelled for tens of thousands of acres. However, these lands do not include the Upper Hoback Basin. There is some hope the previous success will help organizers also prevent oil and gas development there.

Image Credit: kdee64 (Keith Williams) / Flickr

Read more: Environment, Nature, Nature & Wildlife, Pets, Wildlife, Lynx, yellowstone

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

New G.

11:47PM PST on Feb 28, 2012

Agree with the previous comment.

send a green star

Trudy K.

6:43PM PST on Feb 11, 2012

It seems that we as a species are hell bent on destroying habitat & extinct species for our own greed. What will we leave future generations- an empty, ugly, destroyed world.

Teresa W.

8:20AM PST on Feb 2, 2012

very sad

Kat H.

3:31PM PST on Jan 30, 2012

Oil and gas threatens everyone, including humans. We need to go towards a more sustainable lifestyle as soon as possible. Not enough is being done to protect our environment.

Carole R.

4:12PM PDT on Oct 16, 2011

These are beautiful animals. We need to do what we can to help them.

James H.

1:53AM PDT on Sep 13, 2011

fubar...

Youssef A.

6:03AM PDT on Aug 28, 2011

“Do not corrupt the earth ....” (Quran 7:56)

Katja S.

2:33PM PDT on Aug 21, 2011

Sad. So sad. Such beautiful animals.
Human beings need to break their addiction to oil.