Trump Faces Lawsuit for Failing to Protect 11 Florida Species

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Environmental groups just sued the Trump administration over delays in protecting 11 rare Florida species already pushed to the brink of extinction.

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The lawsuit targets federal officials for missing mandatory deadlines to finalize protections for three reptiles and eight plants found only in South Florida.

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A regulatory freeze on January 20 followed by the firing of 420 Fish & Wildlife staff has left these species in legal limbo despite scientific evidence they need protection now.

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The Florida Keys mole skink, known for its bright pink tail, could vanish entirely with just one major storm due to its tiny remaining habitat.

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Pine rockland plants named in the lawsuit have lost 98% of their habitat to development, with remaining patches still shrinking as construction continues.

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"This is an 'all hands on deck' moment where we must act quickly to save what is left of wild Florida," said Jaclyn Lopez from the Jacobs Law Clinic.

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Species with protected habitat are twice as likely to recover, but scientists warn rising sea levels could eliminate all lower Keys habitat for these reptiles by 2080.

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The Center for Biological Diversity argues these protections have been stuck in bureaucratic limbo since 2022 while extinction threats grow more urgent each day.

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