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wolverine trapping halted in Montana
Court grants temporary restraining order before season opens
HELENA – Less than 24 hours
before the start of the wolverine
trapping season, a Montana District
Court in Helena put a halt to it as
the underlying case makes its way
through state courts.
Environmental activists call this
an important step toward protecting
the animal from extinction in
the Lower 48, because the species’
population suffers when even one
of the animals is killed.
On Oct. 11, the western Environmental
Law Center, on behalf of
eight community groups and one
local resident, filed a lawsuit to
halt wolverine trapping in Montana
until the species’ population has
recovered.
In the decision, the Court opined,
“balancing the loss of a ‘recreational
harvest opportunity’ against
the possible damage to a potentially
endangered species, the Court finds
equity lies in favor of issuing a
temporary restraining order.”
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Montana’s wolverine population is estimated at 100 to 175 animals.
On Dec. 14, 2010, the u.S. fish
and wildlife Service determined
that the wolverine deserves federal
protection under the Endangered
Species Act, yet they remain a ‘candidate’
species awaiting protective
status.
Montana is the only state in the
Lower 48 that still allows wolverine
trapping, which are trapped
for their fur. The state’s current
quota allows five wolverines to be
trapped and killed each season.
explorebigsky.com
Big Sky Weekly
Montana’s wolverine population is
estimated at 100 to 175 animals.
Since being designated a ‘candidate’
species for ESA protection, residents
have submitted extensive comments to
the Montana fish, wildlife and Parks
Commission asking the agency to end
the trapping of wolverines. The Commissioners
did not respond or otherwise
address these comments.
In one study spanning a three year
period, in the Pioneer Mountains, six
wolverines were killed in traps, including
four adult males and two pregnant
females, killing half of the estimated
population there.
The wELC is representing Helena
Hunters and Anglers Association,
friends of the wild Swan, Montana
Ecosystem Defense Council, Native
Ecosystems Council, the Alliance for
the wild Rockies, the Swan View
Coalition, wild Earth Guardians,
footloose Montana and Mr. George
wuerthner.
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