Palouse worm again denied Endangered protection

A live Palouse Earthworm stretches across the hands of a University of Idaho researcher in this file photo from the UI.

The Giant Palouse Earthworm will continue to live without protection.

The United States Fish and Wildlife service Monday denied a second petition to list the worm as an endangered species.

Robyn Thorson, fish and wildlife’s Pacific Region director, said in a statement Monday that the agency needed more information before it could act on the request.

Citing confirmed sightings of the worm near Leavenworth, the federal agency said it did not know enough about the worm’s habitat...