Environmental groups have urged the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to take action to safeguard Rocky Mountain grizzly bears before the next administration takes office. The groups are advocating for measures to connect the bears' distinct populations, promoting their movement from the Yellowstone ecosystem in Wyoming to areas in Idaho and Montana, extending to Glacier National Park.
The petition, filed by Earthjustice lawyers on behalf of 14 organizations including the Sierra Club and Humane Society of the United States, emphasizes the importance of creating a naturally connected metapopulation of grizzly bears to enhance genetic diversity and demographic resilience.
However, ranchers are concerned about the potential expansion of grizzly bear habitats, citing risks to their livestock. They are expected to lobby the incoming administration to lift protections for bears rather than encourage their spread.
While the Wyoming Stock Growers Association acknowledges the need for population control, they caution against grizzlies venturing into unsuitable territories, which could pose challenges.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service faces a deadline of January 20 to determine whether grizzlies should retain their federally designated threatened status. The previous administration attempted to remove protections for grizzlies but faced legal obstacles.
Grizzlies, the largest bears in North America after polar bears, have seen their population double to around 2,000 since being listed as a threatened species in 1975. Despite this growth, they continue to face various threats, with human-related deaths reaching a record high in the Yellowstone region this year.
Efforts to enhance genetic diversity and resilience among grizzlies are seen as crucial in mitigating risks such as habitat loss and climate change. A proposed plan by a former Fish and Wildlife grizzly bear recovery coordinator underscores the importance of continued federal protection for the species.
The fate of grizzlies is closely tied to that of wolves in the region, with overlapping territories necessitating enhanced safeguards to prevent unintended harm to bears. The success of conservation efforts hinges on maintaining federal protections for grizzlies to ensure their long-term recovery and survival.
