As expected, a number of conservation groups have filed a lawsuit in the Montana federal district court to set aside the new 10j rule on wolves in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming that was just published.
They are Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance, Defenders of Wildlife, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, Center for Biological Diversity, Humane Society of the United States, and Friends of the Clearwater. They are represented by Earthjustice, a conservation law firm.
Story in the Missoulian. By John Cramer.
This rule states how the federal government will let the states manage wolves prior to delisting. The delisting statement is expected very soon, but most of us see the 10j rule as a backstop by the USFWS to make sure the states have authority to kill a lot of wolves even if delisting is overturned in a yet-to-be filed lawsuit.
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FYI
From: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/apps/releases/view.cfm?NewsID=4243
Wolf biologists estimate the wolf population at the end of 2007 is about 730 wolves in 82 packs with 43 breeding pairs. Federal agents confirmed wolves killed 52 cattle, 170 sheep and six dogs. A total of 76 wolves were confirmed dead – 43 killed by federal predator control actions, seven by ranchers, and 26 died of other causes.
Does anyone know if ‘confirmed’ falls under ‘probable’ in those year end stats? And what kind of non lethal activity ocurred before the kills? How long do they try it? Do they take carcasses out of the pastureland? Were any of these wolves illegally baited? How would we know?? And what compensation was doled out?