On June 14, the California Fish and Game Commission elevated the greater sage grouse to a candidate species, earning it full protection under the California Endangered Species Act for the time being.
In the near future, the Department of Fish and Wildlife will conduct a review and determine whether the birds should be permanently protected by the Act. This was a response to a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity last year, in which it was concluded that there was sufficient evidence to warrant protecting these birds as endangered.
The greater sage grouse is the last grouse in North America and is split into two groups: the Northern California population and the bi-state population. These birds are most known for their unique and eye-catching mating dances….