Environmental Groups Push for Increased Protections for Grizzly Bears

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Environmental groups are urging the U.S. government to enhance protection for Rocky Mountain grizzly bears ahead of potential policy changes under the next Trump administration. A petition submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Wednesday seeks measures to link separate grizzly bear populations. Advocates want the bears to move between the Yellowstone ecosystem in Wyoming and parts of Idaho and Montana, extending to areas surrounding Glacier National Park.

According to Earthjustice, the petition reflects an “overwhelming scientific consensus” that a connected grizzly population will foster genetic diversity and enhance the species’ resilience. Fourteen groups, including the Sierra Club and the Humane Society, support the initiative. However, ranchers oppose expanding grizzly habitats due to threats to livestock. Some plan to lobby the incoming Trump administration to eliminate bear protections.

Jim Magagna, from the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, noted, “As the population gets out of hand … they start to expand into other areas but they’re not natural areas for grizzly bears.” A court-mandated deadline of Jan. 20, coinciding with Trump’s return to office, requires Fish and Wildlife to decide on the bears’ federal threatened status. Previous efforts to remove protections were blocked by courts, but Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho continue to seek state management, potentially allowing grizzly hunting similar to regional wolf hunts.

Rocky Mountain grizzly numbers have climbed to about 2,000 since their federal listing in 1975. However, rising threats persist, with a record 73 grizzly deaths linked to human activities in Yellowstone this year alone. The famous grizzly bear No. 399’s recent death by a vehicle near Jackson, Wyoming, underscores the risks posed by road traffic.

Expanded ranges could bolster grizzly genetic diversity, offering resilience against challenges like habitat loss and climate change. The petition draws on Chris Servheen’s updated recovery plan, emphasizing the need for more stringent protection measures, especially regarding neck snares intended for wolves. Servheen cautions that federal delisting would nullify recovery efforts.