Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Arguments in a lawsuit involving inadvertent trapping of federally protected Canada lynx and that could restrict trapping across much of Idaho are set for Tuesday in Boise. The lawsuit says Idaho is violating the Endangered Species Act by allowing recreational trapping that sometimes catches the seldom-seen predator. The Center for Biological Diversity and three other groups are asking the federal court to order Idaho to disallow lethal body-crushing traps and snares. The groups also want to limit the size of foothold traps in lynx habitat and require daily checks by trappers. The groups say that at least four lynx have been trapped in Idaho since 2012. The groups also say trapping in Idaho has increased, with about 650 licenses issued in the 2001-2002 season to more than 2,300 last winter.

The lawsuit was filed in 2014 by the Center for Biological Diversity, Western Watersheds Project, Friends of the Clearwater and Wild Earth Guardians against Idaho Gov. Butch Otter, Fish & Game Director Virgil Moore, and the Idaho Fish & Game Commission. The Idaho Trappers Association and National Trappers Association have intervened in the case on the state’s side. You can read the original complaint here, and the state’s answer here. AP reporter Keith Ridler has a full report here. The conservation groups in the lawsuit said trapping in Idaho has increased from about 650 licenses issued in the 2001-2002 season to more than 2,300 last winter, and at least four lynx have been trapped in Idaho since 2012. One was killed after a trapper mistook it for a bobcat.