Bad news for wolves in the Northern Rockies: a federal judge decided Wednesday to allow the unlimited hunting of grey wolves in Idaho and Montana. The wolves were stripped of their federal protection under the Endangered Species Act by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, a former Colorado rancher. NRDC expects as many as 325 wolves out of a estimated population of 1350 to be killed. Idaho has authorized killing up to 25% of its wolf population. Montana has authorized up to 15%. Under the current 'management plan' the two states can slaughter all but 150 wolves in each jurisdiction. The last minute legal suit to enjoin the hunt failed. However, Judge Donald Molloy opined that Salazar's decision could probably be permanently enjoined since "the balance of equities tip in their [the plaintiff's] favor. They would also likely prevail in showing an injunction is in the public interest." Thirteen conservation groups joined in the effort to obtain a preliminary injunction, but were unable to convince Judge Malloy that there would be irreparable harm without it. Wolf hunts cripple recovering populations by isolating them in small groups incapable of genetic or ecological sustainability. Wolves in Wyoming are still under federal protection because of a previous federal court ruling that Wyoming's hunting plan would put wolves in "serious jeopardy". Courez des Grandes Tetons!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Wolves Loose the Battle But May Win the War
Bad news for wolves in the Northern Rockies: a federal judge decided Wednesday to allow the unlimited hunting of grey wolves in Idaho and Montana. The wolves were stripped of their federal protection under the Endangered Species Act by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, a former Colorado rancher. NRDC expects as many as 325 wolves out of a estimated population of 1350 to be killed. Idaho has authorized killing up to 25% of its wolf population. Montana has authorized up to 15%. Under the current 'management plan' the two states can slaughter all but 150 wolves in each jurisdiction. The last minute legal suit to enjoin the hunt failed. However, Judge Donald Molloy opined that Salazar's decision could probably be permanently enjoined since "the balance of equities tip in their [the plaintiff's] favor. They would also likely prevail in showing an injunction is in the public interest." Thirteen conservation groups joined in the effort to obtain a preliminary injunction, but were unable to convince Judge Malloy that there would be irreparable harm without it. Wolf hunts cripple recovering populations by isolating them in small groups incapable of genetic or ecological sustainability. Wolves in Wyoming are still under federal protection because of a previous federal court ruling that Wyoming's hunting plan would put wolves in "serious jeopardy". Courez des Grandes Tetons!