Environmental groups have sued a federal agency for removing a flying squirrel found only in high mountain forests of West Virginia and Virginia from the endangered species list.

The groups argue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service failed to follow its own protocols when it decided to remove the northern flying squirrel from protected status.

The squirrel subspecies dates back to the Ice Age. It was placed on the list in 1985 after only 10 animals were found.

Wildlife biologists started efforts to delist the flying squirrel after a 2006 study located 1,200 animals in 109 sites.

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Judy Rodd with the Friends of Blackwater says the groups want the animal placed back on the list.

The lawsuit was filed Thursday in federal court in Washington, D.C.