The Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association is urging the Secretary of Interior to appeal a court ruling that reclassifies wolves as threatened. The Association’s Ashley Kohl says U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell overturned the U.S. Department of Interior’s action that delisted the wolves in Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin.
The ruling reclassifying wolves as threatened would make it a federal felony under the Endangered Species Act to injure or kill a wolf protecting their livestock.
Kohls says they have asked the Governor and the state’s Congressional delegation to urge the Secretary to file an appeal. They have also requested an immediate stay until that process is complete.
The state of Minnesota has a successful and comprehensive state wolf management plan which has been the basis for the previous delisting.