Federal judge restores Endangered Species Act for Wolves
BOISE, Idaho —
After a federal judge restored Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains, Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and other state and federal officials criticized the decision while advocates for the predator reacted with joy.
U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy granted a preliminary injunction late Friday in Billings, Mont., restoring the protections for the wolves in Montana, Wyoming and Idaho.
Molloy will eventually decide whether the injunction should be permanent. It was sought by groups including Defenders of Wildlife to prevent planned hunts later this year in all three states.
In January 2007, Otter said he planned to bid for the first wolf-hunt tag when they became available. Otter spokesman Mark Warbis said Friday the state would carefully consider its options.
"The governor disagrees with the decision and is disappointed," Warbis said. "The wolf population in Idaho is strong. The state of Idaho has developed a sound and responsible plan for managing wolves to maintain a sustainable population."
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