RED WOLF COALITION, Defenders of Wildlife, and Animal Welfare Institute v. UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Jim Kurth, in His Official Capacity as Acting Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and Mike Oetker, in His Official Capacity as Acting Regional Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region

TERRENCE W. BOYLE, CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE This cause comes before the Court on cross-motions for summary judgment pursuant to Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The appropriate responses and replies have been filed, and a hearing was held before the undersigned on October 17, 2018, at Raleigh, North Carolina. In this posture, the motions are ripe for ruling. BACKGROUND