Injunction sought to halt wolf hunts in Idaho

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Wildlife advocates are seeking an emergency injunction to stop state-sponsored wolf hunts in the Northern Rockies that have claimed at least 77 of the animals since late August.

Court papers to halt the hunts in Idaho and Montana were filed Monday with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Groups including WildEarth Guardians and the Alliance for the Wild Rockies want wolves returned to the endangered species list. Congress lifted federal protections for the animals in the spring in defiance of prior court rulings.

Harvest figures are expected to climb sharply as general rifle hunting seasons get underway in the two states this month. State officials say they intend to sustain viable wolf populations but want to their numbers reduced to curb attacks on livestock and big game herds.