Federal agents were investigating but no other details were immediately released, and no one claimed responsibility. He added that any wildlife conservation data lost in the Seattle fire would be a minor concern. ELF members have taken responsibility for an increasing number of blazes set across the country. CBS News has learned more FBI agents have recently been assigned to investigate and attempt to infiltrate the ELF and similar ecoterrorist organizations. In testimony to Congress this year, FBI director Louis Freeh said that eight terrorist incidents in 1999 were conducted either by ELF or a related group, the Animal Liberation Network, with several other incidents under investigation.
ELF opposes everything from genetic engineering to urban sprawl.
According to the FBI, the ELF set the fire to block the resort from expanding and destroying the last lynx habitat in Colorado. It's similar to groups that are dedicated to shutting down abortion clinics by violence. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Reuters Limited contributed to this report. Botanists said they also lost years of research on topics ranging from wetland restoration to endangered species protection.