Conservation groups oppose Wyoming wolf management

Conservation groups are urging a federal judge not to allow the state of Wyoming to regain control of wolves through a quick, administrative fix.

The Defenders of Wildlife, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club and Center for Biological Diversity on Monday told a federal judge wolves in Wyoming should remain protected under the federal Endangered Species Act.

U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson of Washington, D.C., last week returned wolves in Wyoming to federal control.

Jackson ruled the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shouldn't have accepted nonbinding state promises in 2012 that it would maintain a minimum population of 100 wolves and 10 breeding pairs.

State officials last week tried to address Jackson's concerns by taking steps to make the wolf population guarantees binding under Wyoming law. They've asked her to reconsider her ruling.

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