Prompted by what they claim is apathy over a wolf being run down with a snowmobile, tortured, and killed in Sublette County, environmental and animal welfare groups are taking legal action to have wolves relisted as an endangered species in Wyoming. The incident involving Cody Roberts has sparked outrage and led to a lawsuit being filed in U.S. District Court in Missoula, Montana by Animal Wellness Action and the Center For a Human Economy. The groups argue that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for not providing adequate protection for wolves in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.
The lawsuit, if successful, could potentially end wolf hunting in these states, which has been ongoing since 2011-2012. Wayne Pacelle, a spokesperson for Animal Wellness Action, believes that the recent shutdown of wolf hunting in the Upper Great Lakes states bodes well for their efforts in the Northern Rockies region. However, retired USFWS game warden Tim Eicher is skeptical about the lawsuit’s chances of success, citing previous failed attempts to relist wolves in the Northern Rockies.
Eicher suggests that if reforms are needed in wolf management policy, they should be addressed at the state level rather than through federal lawsuits. He points out that federal land management agencies like the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management already have the authority to ban practices like running animals down with vehicles on the lands they control in Wyoming. Eicher believes that the focus should be on implementing changes at the state level rather than seeking federal intervention.
The incident in Sublette County, where Cody Roberts allegedly ran down a wolf with a snowmobile, taped its mouth shut, and later killed it, has brought attention to the issue of predator management practices. Pacelle criticizes the heavy-handed approach towards wolves in Montana and Idaho, citing examples like allowing hunters to pursue wolves with packs of dogs. He also points out that Wisconsin’s tactics for wolf hunting, such as night vision, neck snares, and pursuit with dogs, have raised concerns about fair-chase hunting ethics.
While some groups are pushing for wolves to be relisted as an endangered species, others like Kristin Combs of Wyoming Wildlife Advocates believe that the focus should be on addressing animal cruelty issues like running predators down with vehicles. Combs emphasizes that the issue is not just about wolves but about stopping horrific animal cruelty. She, along with other advocates, is working towards banning such practices rather than seeking federal intervention to relist wolves.
In conclusion, the debate over wolf management and protection is complex and multifaceted. While some groups are advocating for wolves to be relisted as an endangered species, others believe that the focus should be on implementing reforms at the state level. The incident in Sublette County has brought attention to the need for better predator management practices and stricter regulations to prevent animal cruelty. Ultimately, finding a balance between conservation efforts and responsible hunting practices is crucial in ensuring the protection of wildlife in Wyoming and other states.
