Court denies injunction to halt wolf hunt
On Sept. 8 U.S. District Court of Montana judge Donald Molloy agreed with plaintiffs Defenders of Wildlife that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service likely violated the Endangered Species Act in delisting wolves in Idaho and Montana, but denied a preliminary injunction against Idaho’s wolf hunt. The hunt is part of Idaho’s management plan for the delisted species.
“Idaho has thoroughly traveled the path toward delisting wolves,” said Idaho Senator Mike Crapo in a statement released Aug. 9. “The state has a plan that is acceptable to the Federal government and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game is already demonstrating its capability of managing the wolves in an effective and sustainable way.”
Idaho Senator James Risch released the following statement about the judge’s decision: “I am pleased that the judge has allowed wolf hunting in Idaho to continue, and I hope this brings an end to lawsuits opposing the hunt. Wolf numbers have far exceeded the recovery goals set when they were introduced into the state. It is time to let Idaho’s game managers do their job and manage wolves just as they do bears, cats and other species.”
Idaho Congressman Walt Minnick released the following statement: “Today’s ruling by Judge Molloy was a victory for those of us who want land-use and wildlife decisions made at the local level, using sound science, collaboration and consensus. I applaud the decision, and now urge all parties, including the state of Wyoming, to work with scientists to ensure a healthy but balanced population of gray wolves in the Northern Rockies.”
Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter issued the following statement Sept. 9 in reaction to Judge Molloy’s ruling: “Judge Molloy did the right thing. Idaho has met and exceeded the criteria agreed upon by all parties for recovery. We have a plan in place for managing wolves, based on the best science available, and we intend to keep our promises outlined in that plan. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game and Idaho Fish and Game Commission have done a great job of setting hunting numbers to ensure a sustainable wolf population and genetic connectivity. We are and will continue to be responsible stewards of the species.”
In the meantime the court will hear a lawsuit seeking to once again classify wolves in the Northern Rockies as endangered species.
Defenders of Wildlife, while “disappointed that the court declined to immediately halt the ongoing wolf hunt,” is “optimistic that the court will ultimately overturn the wolf delisting and restore Endangered Species Act protections for wolves in the Northern Rockies,” according to a press released issued by the group.