(AP)

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A federal appeals court has turned down an emergency request by wildlife advocates seeking to stop gray wolf hunts underway in the Northern Rockies. In a ruling Tuesday, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied the emergency injunction sought by three advocacy group but said it would consider the request during oral arguments scheduled for next month. That means hunters can continue pursuing an estimated 1,300 wolves in Montana and Idaho at least for now. Wildlife managers from the states say reducing the wolf population by hundreds of animals will help prevent wolf attacks on livestock and big game such as elk. Michael Garrity with the Alliance for the Wild Rockies says he remains optimistic that the court will eventually rule in favor of hunt opponents.

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