In a recent incident in Sublette County, Wyoming, a local resident was accused of running down a wolf with a snowmobile, capturing it, taping its mouth shut, and displaying it in a bar before killing it. This incident has sparked outrage and led to lawsuits challenging the federal government’s decision to allow western states to manage gray wolves. Former Humane Society CEO Wayne Pacelle, now working with Animal Wellness Action, has joined five other groups in notifying the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of their intent to sue over wolf jurisdiction.
The lawsuit emphasizes the cruelty of the Wyoming incident and argues that the state’s regulatory mechanisms are inadequate to protect wolves. It also challenges the Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision to deny petitions to list wolves under the Endangered Species Act, claiming that the agency relied on scientifically invalid models. The lawsuit points out the permissiveness of Wyoming’s predator-zone policy, which allows wolves to be legally killed by various methods.
Despite Wyoming Game and Fish Commission’s defense that the incident was an isolated event, critics argue that it reflects broader issues in the state’s management of wolves. The lawsuit aims to address the threats facing the species and ensure their continued existence in the Northern Rockies. Overall, the case highlights the ongoing debate over wolf conservation and the need for stronger protections to prevent such incidents from happening.
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Photo credit wyofile.com
