Beluga Whale Lawsuit

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Brian Malone

Story Created: Jan 15, 2009 at 12:51 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Jan 15, 2009 at 12:51 PM AKDT

The state is throwing up a legal challenge to the listing of Cook Inlet Beluga Whales as threatened.
Governor Sarah Palin has announced the state will sue over the federal government's decision.
Federal biologist say the numbers are shrinking, mainly due to hunting.
A threatened designation offers greater protections for the beluga whale, which could stop development.
Palin says the state is already working with the feds to protect the whales and further safeguards are not necessary.
Environmentalist say the listing is the only way to bring the numbers back and to prevent the whales from disappearing all together.