DENVER — A federal court Tuesday removed an obstacle to the US government’s plan to release more endangered wolves in New Mexico over the state’s objections, but it was not clear whether additional animals would be reintroduced under the Trump administration.

The Denver-based 10th US Circuit Court of Appeals lifted an order that stopped the US Fish and Wildlife Service from releasing more Mexican gray wolves in the state after New Mexico refused to agree to the plan.

New Mexico officials had no immediate comment. The state could ask the appeals court to reconsider or ask the Supreme Court to hear the case.

Fish and Wildlife spokesman Jeff Humphrey said the agency was still reviewing the decision.

Despite the ruling, it wasn’t immediately known whether wolf releases would resume. President Trump has slowed or reversed other environmental initiatives since taking office in January, when the appeals court was considering the wolf case.

And many Republicans in control of Congress have long objected to parts of the Endangered Species Act, which is the legal authority for reestablishing the Mexican gray wolf and other animals.

Protected status under the act usually brings restrictions on ranching, mining and other activities.

Only about 110 Mexican gray wolves live in the wild. They nearly disappeared in the 1970s, and the federal government added them to the endangered species list in 1976.

Associated Press