Thank You to District Judge Donald Molloy, Earthjustice, and Defenders of Wildlife

I wanted to post a "thank you" to Montana District Judge Donald Molloy of Missoula who reversed the gray wolf delisting throughout the Northern Rockies. The Judge acknowledged that the USFWS was premature in their delisting of wolves and as a result, the ruling imposed an unreasonable threat to the wolf population.


This is pending a ruling on the case filed by Earthjustice on behalf of Defenders of Wildlife (and many other caring organizations) challenging the delisting of wolves. The following is a statement made by Suzanne Asha Stone, a Northern Rockies wolf conservation specialist for Defenders of Wildlife:

“We’re very pleased with today’s decision to restore federal protections to wolves in the Northern Rockies until the ongoing case is ultimately decided by Judge Molloy. This is a very important first step, since it stops the continued and almost indiscriminate killing of wolves under the states’ management plans that could have put the long-term recovery of the wolf at risk.

“The delisting of wolves was inappropriate and illegal in large part because existing state management plans are inadequate to ensure the long term conservation of wolves in the region, allowing far too many wolves to be unnecessarily killed. Responsible, balanced management by the states would benefit wolves, ranchers, hunters and all Northern Rockies residents. While the court continues to weigh our challenge to the delisting decision, we will continue to work to improve the current state plans so that they maintain a healthy wolf population.”

Thank you District Judge Donald Molloy, Earthjustice, and Defenders of Wildlife!

In the meantime, let's all Save The Wolves Now!

Wolf Protections Update - Individual States

The latest update on wolf protection restoration is as follows:

Northern Rockies and Greater Yellowstone: Protections have been restored for now.

Idaho protections have been restored for now; however, Governor Otter has criticized the Federal Judge's ruling and is not happy about it. If you recall, Governor C.L. Butch Otter is the one who last year announced that he wants to be one of the first in the state of Idaho to shoot a wolf. Ron Gillette, also of Idaho (Idaho Anti-Wolf Coalition leader, to be exact) has advised a local reporter that "[i]t is going to be all-out war."

Wyoming protections have been restored, and Wyoming intends to fight the ruling.

A ruling restoring wolf protections by a district court judge in Montana will save hundreds of wolves by halting wolf sport hunting seasons this coming fall season not just in Montana but also in Idaho and Wyoming.

Defenders of Wildlife continues its fight for the wolf and has a Wolf Legal Defense Fund for those of you who wish to contribute. Earthjustice is also in need of contributions to keep fighting for our wolves. I know that these are tough economic times, but we will get through it. However, once our wolves are gone, they are gone. It has taken years to restore wolves in the areas where they are now threatened, so, please do what you can.

That is all that I know for now; however, I'd have to say that this is all great news! I will keep you posted.

Until then, for some firsthand information, be sure to stop by My Yellowstone Wolves.

And don't forget to Save The Wolves Now!

Wolf Hunt Halted - For Now

GREAT NEWS! ! A Federal Judge has made a ruling in favor of Earthjustice's request to stop the wolf killing while their case concerning the delisting of wolf protections pends before Court.

What this means is that wolves are once again protected under the Endangered Species Act while Earthjustice and other organizations fight to have this right restored to wolves.

The fight is not yet won. Earthjustice's attorneys in their Northern Rockies office will continue to fight for wolf protections. Please consider offering your support to Earthjustice, Defenders of Wildlife, and any other organization that you know of that are committed to restoring wolf protections.

Thank you Earthjustice on behalf of wolves - and we who love them - everywhere.

Until then, save the wolves now!