DENVER— A federal appeals court today dismissed a lawsuit by the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association that challenged the U.S. Forest Service’s removal of illegal feral cattle from endangered species habitat in the Gila Wilderness, the nation’s first designated wilderness area.

“The Forest Service was right to remove feral cattle from the Gila Wilderness and end decades of damage to this fragile endangered species habitat. I’m pleased the appeals court agreed,” said Todd Schulke, co-founder of the Center for Biological Diversity. “The livestock industry’s sham lawsuit was a waste of time and money. With cows gone these wild streamside habitats are finally recovering, which is wonderful news for endangered species.”

In December the Center intervened to support the Forest Service in the industry’s lawsuit seeking to block the Gila National Forest’s cow removal plan. The case reached the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals after a district court upheld the plan in January.

For years feral, unbranded cattle in the Gila Wilderness had been decimating critical habitat for endangered species including Mexican spotted owls, Southwestern willow flycatchers, narrow-headed garter snakes, Gila chub, loach minnow and spikedace.

The feral cows were unowned and unbranded and had been reproducing independently of any ranching operation. They charged hikers and threatened public safety. No ranches or active grazing allotments were located near areas where the cattle were found.

The Forest Service’s plan, which involved lethal removal when non-lethal means were untenable or too dangerous, drew the ire of the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association. The livestock industry slaughtered 5,900 cattle in New Mexico last year. Citing improving habitat and no cattle sightings since the most recent removals in 2023, the Forest Service announced in November that the work was complete.

Gila National Forest officials received more than 5,000 public comments in support of removing feral cattle from the wilderness, including using lethal means. The Forest Service retains legal authority to remove unauthorized livestock from federal lands under its management.