[dm2]

There are more important species in endangered status, in my opinion. Millions of dollars for a hopeless cause to save an animal that only has a small genetic difference and very little physical difference.

The "should be their own species" argument was primarily brought on to promote the endangered status of the rhinos anyways. http://scienceblogs.com/tetrapodzoology/2010/05/03/new-speci...

"The danger in making this sort of suggestion, however, is that changing the taxonomy to suit conservation priority could eventually backfire: it would not look good if zoologists were thought to be tweaking their conclusions in order to suit their favoured conservation projects."