Northern Rocky Mountain Wolf Delisting Argued In Montana Court

The fate of the Northern Rocky Mountain wolves was once again argued in a Montana courtroom on Tuesday, June 15. In 2009, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed Montana’s and Idaho's wolves from federal management but left Wyoming's wolves under federal Endangered Species Act protection. Lawyers for the federal government and the states of Montana and Idaho defended the partial ESA delisting. Counsel for Safari Club International and the National Rifle Association attended the hearing, along with other sporting and wildlife groups, to lend their support for the delisting rule. Despite some drama when a law student, representing Plaintiff Greater Yellowstone Coalition, fainted during her presentation, the morning's hearing focused on several legal issues identified by the judge as his main questions in the case. The court particularly expressed confusion during the federal government's presentation about one main issue: the legal basis for the FWS's decision to remove federal ESA protection from some but not all of the Northern Rocky Mountain wolves. The strong presentations offered by the attorneys from Idaho and Montana responded to the court's questions and aptly demonstrated the legal and practical justifications for the wolf’s partial removal from the list. The Judge indicated he would issue a decision as soon as possible.