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Don't say they didn't warn us. Several conservation groups, including heavy hitters likeDefenders of Wildlife, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, Center for Biological Diversity, and The Humane Society of the United States, have filed suit against the federal government in an effort to reinstate endangered species protections for gray wolves in the Northern Rockies.

The environmental groups allege that state protection plans aren't adequate to protect still-vulnerable wolf populations, and they cite Wyoming's current and Idaho's impending shoot-any-wolf-for-any-reason policy as a major threat to the large predator's survival. Up to four wolves from Wyoming's 30-member Wind River group were killed in the first weekend of wolf delisting. In an official statement, the Sierra Club's Melanie Stein said:

“Wolves in the northern Rockies are just now on the cusp of biological recovery, but aren’t ready for delisting. Current state management allows for wolf populations to be cut by up to 80 percent. Since delisting, our worst fears are coming true. In Wyoming, wolves are being killed at an alarming rate, with over a dozen wolves killed so far.”

The plaintiffs hope to issue an immediate injunction to stop the hunting of wolves in the Northern Rockies while a judge assesses the case. Keep checking The Daily Dirt for updates. — Ted Alvarez

Feds sued for taking gray wolves off endangered list (AP)

Twelve Conservation Groups Challenge Federal Wolf Delisting (Center For Biological Diversity)

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READERS COMMENTS

Cattle and sheep are a major part of Wyomings economy and wolves are a threat to the live stock in our state nothing will change that wolves will still kill our sheep, and calves. As soon as the winter hits wolves will have a hard time finding food so they will turn to our live stock and feed off our paycheck. That is why they must be killed on sight to keep them from our live stock.
Posted: May 07, 2008 Tye Jarrard

The ranchers and farmers must be willing to come up with and use technology to protect their animals and property. You don't kill one animal to save another. The animals in this country deserve to be protected, and given a full territory to roam and habitate. We are all animals, and we all deserve the same rights to land, food, water, and protection. Be fair. Man does not have more rights than all of God's creatures. We have the ability to find ways to live with them, so lets do it. Stop man's natural selfishness, and unwillingness to do the right thing by our wildlife.
Posted: May 01, 2008 Pamela Younge

Posted: May 01, 2008 Anonymous