U.S. proposes lifting protections for Yellowstone-area grizzlies
Last edited Thu Mar 3, 2016, 08:58 PM - Edit history (1)
Source: Reuters
World | Thu Mar 3, 2016 6:50pm EST
U.S. proposes lifting protections for Yellowstone-area grizzlies
CODY, WYO. | BY RUFFIN PREVOST
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed on Thursday stripping Endangered Species Act protections from the grizzly bear in and around Yellowstone National Park, saying the animal's numbers have rebounded sufficiently in recent decades.
The estimated tally of grizzlies in the greater Yellowstone region, encompassing parts of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, has grown to a 700 or more today, up from as few as 136 bears in 1975 when they were formally listed as a threatened species throughout the Lower 48 states.
At that time, the grizzly had been hunted, trapped and poisoned to near extinction. Its current estimated population well exceeds the government's minimum recovery goal of 500 animals in the region.
Hunters and ranchers, who make up a powerful political constituency in Western states, have strongly advocated de-listing grizzlies, arguing that their increasing numbers pose a threat to humans, livestock and big-game animals such as elk.
Environmentalists have raised concerns that while grizzlies have made a comeback, their recovery could falter if federal safeguards are lifted, a move that would open the animals to public hunting outside the national park boundaries.
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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-grizzly-yellowstone-idUSKCN0W52N2
EDIT: story updated at link
= new reply since forum marked as read
Gonna find some more phone numbers to call and petitions to sign.
