Seals use snow caves to protect their young, so the absence of Arctic ice puts "seal pups at higher risk of death from freezing and predation," the lawsuit says. Endangered Species Act protections would protect the Arctic ice as part of the seal's "critical habitat."
Like the polar bear these two species of seals are being threatened by climate change in the Arctic. Elevated levels of man made greenhouse gases are behind the lowest levels of Arctic ice ever recorded.
"Global warming will impact ringed and bearded seals directly by degrading and eliminating critical sea-ice habitat, which will have devastating consequences by reducing adult reproductive success and the survival of pups and impairing their ability to molt," the lawsuit says.
The plaintiffs note that Arctic wildlife also face threats from offshore Arctic oil development.
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