In a regulatory review, published in the April 30 Federal Register, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) affirmed its previous decision that grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) are recovered and should be removed from listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) list of endangered and threatened wildlife.
The recent rule was issued as a follow up to a document published in the Dec. 7, 2017 Federal Register requesting comments on the impact of a court ruling on the final rule published on June 30, 2017, designating the GYE population of grizzly bears as a distinct population segment (DPS) and removing the population from the protections of the ESA.
In affirming the prior decision, USFWS said it considered the best scientific and commercial data available, as well as public comments, and does not plan to initiate further regulatory action for the GYE grizzly bear population.
An estimated 700 grizzlies live in the GYE DPS. The rule explained that grizzly bears in the lower 48 states primarily exist in four populations spanning portions of four states. Total numbers are estimated at 1,180 individuals, including those in the GYE.
Wyoming Game and Fish Department Communications Director Renny MacKay explained that this rule does not have an impact on turning management of the species over to state wildlife agencies, and that action was not contingent on the ruling. “Here in Wyoming we are continuing to make sure that this amazing conservation success continues as we implement our grizzly bear management plan, which incorporates the use of hunting as a management tool,” he said.
Idaho is also exploring a hunting season for grizzly bears, while Montana wildlife officials decided against holding a grizzly bear hunting season this year. The three states have an agreement that outlines how many bears could be taken by hunters each year in areas outside Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, where bear hunting will not be allowed. While Yellowstone National Park makes up the core of the 34,375-square mile GYE, the area extends far beyond the park boundaries.
Reacting to the rule, Ethan Lane, executive director, Public Lands Council and NCBA Federal Lands, told WLJ, “We are pleased to see the Department of Interior make the scientifically sound decision to finally delist grizzlies in Yellowstone. Only by clearing long recovered species like bears and wolves off the list can we devote ESA resources to species truly in need.”
It is important to note that the ESA delisting applies only to the GYE grizzly bear population; all of the other grizzly bears in the lower 48 states remain listed as threatened. — Rae Price, WLJ editor
