We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
MONTANA - Grizzly bears in the lower 48 states will continue to be protected under the Endangered Species Act. The US Fish and Wildlife Service has officially denied petitions to remove these protections, citing the need for the population to recover further.
The Center for Biological Diversity noted that grizzly bear numbers around Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks have improved since their protection began in 1975. However, the bears still face threats from isolation and human-caused deaths.
Andrea Zaccardi, legal director of the Carnivore Conservation Program at the Center for Biological Diversity, explained the significance of maintaining federal protections. “Maintaining federal protections means that grizzly bears will have a better chance of moving between those populations and potentially connecting the populations, which helps with genetic diversity concerns, and also means that grizzly bears might be able to move and repopulate areas where they can and should exist, such as the Selway-Bitterroot zone in Idaho and Montana,” said Zaccardi.
While the bears retain their protected status, the agency proposed loosening certain restrictions. This includes allowing livestock owners to kill grizzlies if they attack. However, Zaccardi made it clear that the Center for Biological Diversity opposes trophy hunting. “We do not support trophy hunting, and we will continue to oppose any trophy hunting of grizzly bears that is proposed in the future,” she stated.
The proposal to loosen restrictions is not yet finalized. An official publication of the decision will be followed by a 60-day comment period. During this time, the public can voice their opinions and submit comments on the proposals and management of grizzly bears.
