# Animals by Keystone Pipeline: Environmental Impact

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/02/animals-by-keystone-pipeline-environmental-impact/
- Published: 2012-02-05T14:25:34-05:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

## Animals Stood by the Keystone XL Pipeline

National Geographic once spotlighted an unexpected group of environmental defenders—
wild animals by the Keystone XL Pipeline. In the battle against the controversial
Keystone XL pipeline, it wasn’t just climate activists and landowners raising red
flags. Native species like the American burying beetle, greater sage-grouse, and
whooping crane also stood in the way—literally and legally—by living along the proposed
pipeline’s route.

These species became natural barriers. Their habitats were too sensitive to ignore,
triggering federal environmental reviews that ultimately slowed and even blocked
parts of the project.

![American burying beetle greater sage grouse whooping crane and bison near pipeline
on open prairie](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/
40C7593F-E5E6-43E8-B43B-AA1BBA80AED5.png?resize=780%2C520&quality=50&ssl=1 "40C7593F-
E5E6-43E8-B43B-AA1BBA80AED5 - The Green Living Guy")

Wildlife like the American Burying Beetle Greater Sage Grouse Whooping Crane and
Bison became key symbols in blocking the Keystone XL Pipeline due to their vulnerable
habitats

### Animals by Keystone Pipeline XL Became Legal and Environmental Hurdles

For example, the American burying beetle, already listed as endangered under the
Endangered Species Act, lives in areas that Keystone XL would have passed through.
Because of that status, TransCanada (now TC Energy) had to submit mitigation plans
that delayed construction. Similarly, the greater sage-grouse, whose [population has drastically declined](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/10/wildlife-population-decline-in-latin-america/)
due to habitat loss, forced attention on grassland ecosystems threatened by development.

Moreover, the whooping crane, one of North America’s rarest birds, relies on wetlands
that overlap with the pipeline’s proposed path. The risk of oil spills or habitat
fragmentation presented serious long-term threats to this endangered species. Conservation
groups argued that even minor disruptions could prove disastrous.

### National Geographic Helped Shift Public Awareness

By showcasing these animals, [National Geographic](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/05/national-geographics-commitment-to-sustainability/)
gave faces—beaked, feathered, and crawling—to the environmental concerns surrounding
Keystone XL. Their coverage went beyond charts and oil data. Instead, it connected
audiences with the tangible, living costs of pipeline expansion.

The piece also helped underline a broader truth: [environmental protection](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/11/epa-wetland-environmental-protection-success-story/)
isn’t only about climate—it’s about biodiversity. Blocking the pipeline wasn’t just
about carbon emissions; it was about preserving complex ecosystems already hanging
by a thread.

### A Turning Point in the Keystone Fight

Although political decisions and presidential actions ultimately determined the 
fate of Keystone XL, the attention brought to these animals contributed to public
pressure. In fact, environmental lawsuits citing threats to endangered species were
among the tools used to delay and eventually cancel portions of the pipeline project.

This clash between fossil fuel infrastructure and wildlife conservation marked a
pivotal moment. It highlighted how interconnected [climate policy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/11/whats-next-for-climate-policy/)
and ecological stewardship truly are.

### Sources and Further Reading:

 1. National Geographic: Animals Block Keystone Pipeline Path
 2. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service – [American Burying Beetle](https://www.fws.gov/species/american-burying-beetle-nicrophorus-americanus)
 3. National Audubon Society – Greater Sage-Grouse Protection
 4. [Calamus Outfitters](https://www.calamusoutfitters.com/)

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
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