RENO -- A former federal worker in Nevada who is claiming whistleblower status has claimed at least a temporary victory in a bid to get his job back.

An administrative judge has ordered Gary Strader of Wells back to work until an appeals board can determine if he was fired in retaliation for telling his boss two co-workers illegally shot mountain lions from a government airplane in 2006.

Judge Craig Berg says he granted Strader reinstatement because he has presented enough evidence to suggest there is a "substantial likelihood'' he will prevail in his case against the Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services.

Strader worked for the service as a professional hunter until his firing in April. A full hearing before an appeals panel is expected later this summer.