CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) Environmental groups have dropped one of two federal lawsuits challenging last year's federal action that turned management of Wyoming wolves over to the state.

Lawyers for WildEarth Guardians and eight other groups dropped their lawsuit in federal court in Cheyenne this week. That leaves a similar lawsuit still pending in federal court in Washington, D.C.

Both lawsuits generally claim that Wyoming's own wolf management plan doesn't afford adequate protections. The plan classifies wolves as predators that can be shot on sight in most of the state and allows regulated hunting for them elsewhere.

Colorado attorney Jay Tutchton represents WildEarth Guardians. He says the groups dropped the Wyoming lawsuit in the interest of efficiency. He says it doesn't make sense to have two federal courts hearing essentially the same dispute.

 

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