Judge rejects groups request to halt wolf kill

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A federal judge has rejected a request by conservation groups to stop Idaho from killing wolves from two packs in central Idaho as part of the state’s efforts to bolster elk numbers in the area.

U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge on Friday denied the temporary restraining order sought by the groups who contend the large-scale removal of wolves contravenes the 1964 Wilderness Act and other federal acts.

Tim Preso, an attorney for Earthjustice representing the groups, said an appeal was filed late Friday to begin the process of having the case heard by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

“We’re hoping with a fresh set of eyes to look at the case we’ll have an opportunity to do something to protect the wilderness values in the area before all the wolves are killed,” Preso said Saturday.

Idaho wildlife officials hired a hunter late last year to begin killing two packs in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. Officials recently said nine wolves have been killed so far from the Golden Creek and Monumental Creek wolf packs. It’s unclear how many wolves are in the two packs.