Article Summary –
Six wildlife and animal rights groups, including Animal Wellness Action and the Gallatin Wildlife Association, plan to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to restore endangered species protections for wolves, alleging that Northern Rockies states have irresponsibly managed the species. The move follows an incident where a Wyoming man injured a wolf with his snowmobile, displayed it in a bar, and then shot it. The groups argue that the USFWS has failed to properly analyze the effect of anti-wolf sentiment and politics in Western states, and they say the Wyoming incident exemplifies the core issues with the state’s handling of wolves and was the trigger for the planned lawsuit.
Wolf Incident in Wyoming Spurs Legal Action for Enhanced Wolf Protections
An incident involving a Wyoming man displaying a wolf he’d injured with his snowmobile in a bar before killing her attracted global attention last month. Now, this situation is being leveraged by wildlife and animal rights groups to persuade the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reinstate endangered species protections for wolves. Six groups issued a notice of intent to sue on Tuesday, arguing that the Northern Rockies states are incapable of managing wolves responsibly, as evidenced by the Sublette County incident.
In February, the USFWS rejected the restoration of Endangered Species Act protections for wolves, asserting they aren’t at risk of extinction in the Western United States now or in the foreseeable future. This finding has been challenged in two lawsuits by environmental and conservation organizations.
Groups including Animal Wellness Action and the Gallatin Wildlife Association intend to file a third lawsuit. They contend that the agency failed to account for manmade factors such as politics and anti-wolf sentiment in western states. Wayne Pacelle from Animal Wellness Action noted that the Sublette County incident epitomizes the issues with Wyoming’s wolf management and triggered the lawsuit.
Regarding the impending lawsuit, the groups connect the charges against Cody Roberts to a broader anti-wolf sentiment. Animal Wellness Action argues that Roberts, who was fined $250 for live possession of wildlife, should have been charged under animal abuse laws. They claim that this case involves the torment and torture of a wolf, which should not fall under any hunting or capture exemption.
Jessica Karjala, Footloose Montana Executive Director, stated in a release that states are not capable of guaranteeing the survival of the wolf species. Adding that Wyoming is neglecting Cody Roberts’ heinous acts.
Similar to Wyoming and Idaho, Montana wants to maintain wolf management under the state’s jurisdiction. The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks department is anticipated to adopt a new wolf management plan in the coming year.
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