Washington, DC – Today the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals granted Safari Club International’s (SCI) motion to participate as an intervenor against constitutional challenges to wolf delisting legislation filed by two sets of animal-rights groups. SCI is joined in their intervention by the National Rifle Association of America (NRA).
“SCI has participated in a very important case addressing the listing status and management of the wolves of the Northern Rocky Mountains,” asserted Kevin Anderson, SCI President. “The Ninth Circuit’s decision to allow SCI to defend the wolf delisting legislation ensures that SCI can continue to be the voice for the hunting and conservation community during this latest saga in the long debate over the recovered wolves of Montana, Idaho, Utah, Oregon, and Washington State.”
Undaunted when the Montana federal district court denied their attempts to intervene to defend the delisting law, SCI renewed their motion to intervene in the Ninth Circuit on August 22nd. On September 19th, the Court of Appeals granted that motion, permitting SCI and the NRA to participate as parties to defend the constitutionality of Section 1713 of H.R. 1473, “Department of Defense and
Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011,” a law that directed the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service to remove the Northern Rocky Mountain wolves from the
endangered species list. The Montana federal district court has already upheld
the constitutionality of that wolf delisting law and the animal rights groups
have taken their challenge to the court of appeals.
“SCI thanks of our members from Idaho and Montana who helped demonstrate SCI’s interest in the listing status and management of wolves to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The declarations and support of members who hunted in Idaho and Montana’s wolf season, and who plan to do so again in the 2011 season, surely played a major role in persuading the court to allow us to take an active role in defense of
wolf delisting,” concluded Anderson.
About the Hunters’ Defense Fund:Safari Club International Hunters’ Defense Fund supports the important advocacy, conservation and legal work keeping hunters afield and promoting hunting worldwide. Donations to the Hunters’ Defense Fund have a direct impact on our freedom to hunt, wildlife conservation policy and important legislative,regulatory and legal issues. DONATE NOW: www.safariclub.org/hunterdefense
Becoming an SCI Member:Joining Safari Club International is the best way to be an
advocate for continuing our hunting heritage and supporting worldwide
sustainable use conservation, wildlife education and humanitarian services. JOIN
NOW: www.safariclub.org/Join.
Safari Club International – First For Hunters is the leader in protecting the freedom
to hunt and in promoting wildlife conservation worldwide. SCI’s approximately
200 Chapters represent all 50 of the United States as well as 106 other countries. SCI’s proactive leadership in a host of cooperative wildlife conservation, outdoor education and humanitarian programs, with the SCI Foundation and other conservation groups, research institutions and government agencies, empowers sportsmen to be contributing community members and participants in sound wildlife management and conservation. Visit the home page www.safariclub.org or call (520) 620-1220 for more information.
