A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report released Thursday says there were a minimum 1,706 wolves inhabiting Montana, Idaho and Wyoming in 2009, compared to at least 1,650 wolves the year before. The report says population growth has slowed to less than 4%. That's the lowest growth rate since 1995.

The report could bolster the federal government's assertion that wolves are doing fine since losing Endangered Species Act protections last year. The exception is Wyoming, where federal protections remain in force. Environmentalists are asking a federal court to overturn the loss of protections for wolves in Montana and Idaho.