MINNEAPOLIS and WASHINGTON - The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and Help Our Wolves Live (HOWL) filed suit today against the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for authorizing fur trapping that kills and injures federally protected Canada lynx in violation of the Endangered Species Act. 

According to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service records, the DNR's trapping program has killed or injured at least 12 federally protected lynx in Minnesota since 2002. All of the documented lynx deaths and injuries were caused by traps such as wire neck snares and steel-jawed leghold traps, which are set to catch furbearing animals for the commercial trade in fur pelts. 

Over the last few years, the DNR has taken several deliberate actions that exacerbate lynx taking in Minnesota.  For example, in 2005 the DNR repealed regulations requiring a permit for fox snaring, leaving this practices almost entirely unregulated.  And over the last two years, the DNR has actively lobbied the legislature to eliminate the statutory permit requirement for bobcat snaring, the practice most likely to result in the trapping of federally protected lynx.

"These traps are like landmines in Minnesota, killing and maiming any animal who steps into their path, including critically imperiled species such as the Canada lynx,"said Jonathan Lovvorn, vice president of Animal Protection Litigation for The HSUS. "Rather than taking steps to protect lynx, state officials are rolling back regulations and lobbying to make the Minnesota trapping program even more treacherous for the threatened lynx."

The Canada lynx is one of the most imperiled mammals in the continental United States due to a combination of habitat destruction and exploitation of the population through trapping, hunting, and inadequate legal safeguards.  The HSUS and HOWL were involved in efforts to list the Canada lynx under the ESA, and are currently involved in litigation challenging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's decision to classify the Canada lynx as threatened rather than endangered.

This past spring, the HSUS and HOWL notified the DNR that the trapping program was causing serious violations of the ESA, and of the groups' intent to sue the DNR if the agency did not take steps to remedy the problem.  Although the groups' April 28, 2006 letter noted that The HSUS and HOWL "would welcome the opportunity to discuss with [the DNR] how to resolve these ongoing violations without the need for litigation," the DNR has refused to respond.    

The plaintiffs are being represented pro bono in the case by Rick Duncan and Mandi Hill of the law firm Faegre & Benson.

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with more than 9.5 million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, marine mammals, animals in research, equine protection and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy and field work. The nonprofit organization is based in Washington and has field representatives and offices across the country. On the web at www.hsus.org.