Three conservation groups are suing Montana in an attempt to force wildlife regulators to halt trapping in much of northwestern and southwestern Montana
    
They are seeking to end the trapping of wolves and fur-bearing animals in areas of Montana that have been designated as critical lynx habitat. That includes portions of five trapping districts and 17 wolf-management units.
    
The plaintiffs say trapping and snaring activities have resulted in at least nine lynx being caught.
    
Canada lynx is a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The federal law prohibits the taking of any endangered or threatened species.
    
The lawsuit filed Thursday by Friends of the Wild Swan, WildEarth Guardians and the Alliance for the Wild Rockies names as defendants each state Fish, Wildlife and Parks commissioner and the agency's director.