Preliminary Injunction Against Wolf Trapping In Grizzly Bear Habitat

Thanks to your support we are having success in protecting grizzly bears and other carnivores and predators and defending their habitat.

The Task Force, along with WildEarth Guardians sued the State of Montana and filed a motion for a preliminary injunction against wolf trapping in grizzly bear habitat in Montana except from January 1- February 15, when most grizzly bears will be in their dens. We were aided by the depositions of seven grizzly bear and wolf experts.

Following an oral hearing, the District Court granted the injunction. This decision was appealed by the State to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and an oral hearing took place in Pasadena, CA. The 9th then ruled to uphold the injunction. The Task Force filed a motion for summary judgment and requested that recreational coyote trapping be added to the injunction. The briefing on summary judgment is complete and there will be an oral hearing before the District Court on June 25th.

A similar case in Idaho resulted in a permanent injunction against wolf trapping in grizzly habitat for most of the year including all districts bordering Montana.

9th Circuit Ruling (PDF)
Mattson Report (PDF)
Media Story (PDF)

A New Vision for Grizzly Bear Recovery in the Northern Rocky Mountains