Groups to take Ottawa to court over vanishing sage grouse

Environmentalists are taking Ottawa to court over what they say is its failure to protect the vanishing sage grouse.

But they admit the distinctive southern prairie bird could already be gone from Alberta by the time the case goes before a judge.

Last fall, 12 groups told federal Environment Minister Peter Kent that they planned legal action if he didn't issue an emergency protection order for the birds as required by the Species At Risk Act.

They are now asking a Federal Court to force Kent to issue that order.

They also want the court to compel Ottawa to protect enough prairie from energy development to ensure the birds' survival.

Scientists estimate there are 13 male sage grouse in Alberta and 43 in Saskatchewan.