PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Humane Society of the United States has reached agreement with state and federal governments that blocks killing or permanent removal of sea lions in the Columbia River until early 2009.

In return, the Humane Society will drop its appeal in federal court against the U.S. Commerce Department and the governments of Oregon and Washington, Sharon Young, the society's field director of marine issues, said Tuesday.

The decision comes two days after six sea lions were shot and killed in a closed trap on the Columbia River by an unknown gunman. Police are still investigating the shooting.

"In light these reckless and illegal killings, the government has done the right thing by shelving its plans to trap and kill sea lions this year," Humane Society Vice President for Animal Protection Litigation Jonathan R. Lovvorn said. "This program was clearly fostering an environment of intolerance and persecution of these animals, and it's time look for a more balanced approach to salmon conservation."

A panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was to hear a case Thursday that could have led to killing some sea lions at Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River. An appeals court panel authorized nonlethal trapping earlier but banned killings until it could hear arguments.

State and federal governments would be allowed to move sea lions temporarily, brand them for identification and return them to their original habitats.

Sea Lion Killing On Hold Until 2009