A federal judge has delayed grizzly bear hunts in Idaho and Wyoming for two more weeks.
Thursday’s ruling by U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen leaves the fate of about 700 bruins in the Northern Rockies in limbo as he considers whether federal protections for the animals should be restored.
The U.S. Interior Department in 2017 declared the animals no longer needed federal protections, while wildlife advocates and Native American tribes say bears living in and around Yellowstone National Park face continued threats to their survival.
Up to 23 bears would be allowed to be killed in the hunts.
Christensen already delayed the hunts once, with an order that came two days before hunting was set to begin on September 1st. (AP)
