By MATTHEW BROWN — Associated Press
BILLINGS, MONT. — Montana officials are due in state court Monday to ask a judge to reinstate a temporary ban against hunting and trapping gray wolves near Yellowstone National Park.
At issue are two areas north of Yellowstone totaling about 60 square miles.
Backers of hunting and trapping sued when state wildlife commissioners closed the areas in December over worries that too many animals collared for research purposes were dying.
A state judge earlier this month issued a restraining order that re-opened the wolf harvest. Attorneys for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks argue that the closure was valid.
Wildlife advocates say the case threatens to drive away tourists who come to Yellowstone for the chance to see wolves in the wild.
Monday’s hearing is before Judge Brenda Gilbert in Livingston.