Judge orders protections reinstated for gray wolf

[IDemo]

By MATT VOLZ
Associated Press

HELENA, Mont. — A federal judge on Thursday reinstated Endangered Species Act protections for wolves in Montana and Idaho, saying the government made a political decision in removing the protections from just two of the three states where Rocky Mountain wolves roam.

U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy said in his ruling that the entire Rocky Mountain wolf population either must be listed as an endangered species or removed from the list, but the protections for the same population can't be different for each state.

Last year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service turned over wolf management to Montana and Idaho wildlife officials but left federal endangered species protections in place for wolves in Wyoming, where state law is considered hostile to the animals' survival.

"Even if the Service's solution is pragmatic, or even practical, it is at its heart a political solution that does not comply with the ESA," Molloy wrote in his ruling.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38583831/ns/us_news-environment/

[FirstLight]

1. How many wolves were hunted while the protection was removed?

I remember signing petitions for this when it first happened... so glad it has finally been reversed, it's been more than a few years right? hope the packs haven't suffered too much. poor babies.

[IDemo]

2. Montana's hunt ended with 73 wolves killed and Idaho's with 185

Both states were considering higher quotas for the upcoming year:

http://www.mtstandard.com/news/local/article_5c573676-8ad9-11df-aff3-001cc4c03286.html

[zeaper]

3. This ruling will be bad for wolves

I have spent over 50 years living in WY, ID and MT, we are an independent bunch out here and resent the Feds telling us what to do. The ruling has POed a lot of folks. Many will now shoot a wolf on sight, where as before the ruling they would have waited for the season and a legitimate target.

For many it’s now open wolf season 24/7 and 365 days a year. Yeah there will be a few busted, but the fines are low and the enforcement efforts are lax.

As for me, I think its great listing to them howl, and now they are back I think they are here to stay. Plus, I find the politics and the goofy extremists on both sides to be entertaining.