Judge hears arguments in federal wolf case

By MATT VOLZ Associated Press Writer

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) - A federal judge in Missoula is hearing arguments on whether gray wolves in Montana and Idaho should be protected once more under the Endangered Species Act.

Wildlife advocates sued the federal government after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's April 2009 decision that took wolves off the endangered species list and turned over management to Montana and Idaho wildlife officials.

The same decision left federal protections in place in Wyoming, where state law is considered hostile to the wolves' survival.

The plaintiffs say the government should not be able to split the level of protection between the states.

Both sides say the ruling by Judge Donald Molloy could have implications on how the Endangered Species Act is applied in the future. His decision is not expected until later this year.