Sacramento, CA — Information provided to the Statewide Law Enforcement Association paints a grim picture about California´s ability to protect its endangered and threatened species.
The California Department of Fish and Game says there is a budget for 352 wardens, but only 280 are actually on duty.
By comparison Texas has 500 wardens and Florida has 750.
Officials say when you consider that California is second only to Hawaii in the number of endangered and threatened species that wardens have to safeguard, it is no exaggeration to say the state is failing to protect its environmental heritage.
Some law enforcement officials say California has become a poacher´s paradise.
Written by Sabrina Sabbagh
This post was last modified on 01/31/2009 1:52 pm