BP sued for harm to Gulf's endangered wildlife

Three conservation groups have brought suit against oil giant BP under the federal Endangered Species Act for the ongoing harm or killing of endangered and threatened wildlife caused by the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.

The lawsuit was filed on Oct. 20, the six-month anniversary of the oil rig explosion, which also killed 11 workers and injured 17 others. The disaster caused the largest offshore oil spill in the industry's history. More than 50 percent of the 185 million gallons of oil spilled remains in the Gulf ecosystem.

The suit was brought by the Southern Environmental Law Center, Defenders of Wildlife and the Save the Manatee Club.

"Restitution for the harm done by BP to sensitive wildlife and their habitat will help protect the Gulf ecosystem and rich web of life upon which so many depend," said Southern Environmental Law Center Attorney Catherine Wannamaker.

At least 27 endangered or threatened species are known to inhabit the Gulf region, including five species of endangered sea turtles, four species of endangered whales and threatened or endangered birds.

The Gulf is also home to Florida manatees, which the federal government classifies as endangered and the World Conservation Union lists as vulnerable to extinction. Under Florida law, it's illegal to injure or otherwise harm a manatee.

There has already been a record number of manatee deaths in Florida this year, with the 656 confirmed mortalities representing nearly 13 percent of the species' estimated minimum population.

(Photo of Florida manatee from the U.S. Geological Survey Sirenia Project.)