Judge Rejects State’s Attempts to Avoid Responsibility
VICTOR, Idaho— A federal judge today ordered Idaho officials to develop trapping restrictions that prevent protected Canada lynx
— one of the rarest cats in the United States — from being illegally
hurt or killed across more than 20,000 square miles of the state’s
Panhandle and Clearwater regions.
“We’re thrilled the court agreed with us that Idaho needs to do more
to protect the beautiful lynx from Idaho’s out-of-control trapping
program,” said Andrea Santarsiere, staff attorney of Center for
Biological Diversity. “Based on the illegal trapping of at least four
lynx in the past four years, the court agreed with us that the state
can’t stand idly by and watch while indiscriminate traps harm these rare
and federally protected cats.”
Lynx, which may number as few as 100 in Idaho, are classified as
“threatened” under the Endangered Species Act. As a result, trapping of a
lynx is illegal, regardless of whether the cat is killed, injured or
released. The court found that because it is likely lynx will continue
to be caught in traps meant for other species in the Panhandle and
Clearwater regions, Idaho must alter its trapping regulations to prevent
future lynx trapping. The court ordered the state to submit a plan
within 90 days with terms that will truly protect lynx in northern
Idaho. Modifications under the plan may include restrictions on the size
of foothold traps that can be used, prohibiting the use of traps
designed to kill — such as Conibear body-gripping traps and neck snares —
and requiring trappers to check their traps every 24 hours instead of
the currently required 72 hours.
“This decision marks a huge step toward restoring Canada lynx to
their rightful habitat in the West,” said Pete Frost, an attorney with
the Western Environmental Law Center. “These barbaric trapping methods
must be changed to protect our treasured iconic cat not just in Idaho,
but throughout lynx territory.”
In 2014, the Center for Biological Diversity, WildEarth Guardians,
Western Watersheds Project, and Friends of the Clearwater filed a
lawsuit against the Idaho Department of Fish and Wildlife, the
department’s commissioners and Gov. Butch Otter for allowing trapping in
lynx habitat. Plaintiffs were represented by the Center for Biological
Diversity and Western Environmental Law Center, with Celeste Miller
serving as local counsel.
“This is a victory not just for lynx but for bobcats, wolves,
fishers, coyotes, foxes, and a suite of other forest animals as well,”
said Ken Cole, Idaho director for Western Watersheds Project. “Hopefully
the Idaho Fish and Game Department will take the hint that their
regulations are completely inadequate for the protection of endangered
species, and the agency will make changes that will benefit many other
species that are indiscriminately trapped.”
“Today’s decision makes crystal clear that the state of Idaho must
take responsibility for its failure to adequate regulate cruel trapping
to protect imperiled lynx,” said Bethany Cotton, wildlife program
director for WildEarth Guardians. “We call on the state to immediately
implement scientifically sound, humane restrictions on trapping,
including 24-hour trap checks.”
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