U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service moving forward with proposed rule to delist grizzly bears
“We have been working for several years with the Secretary of Interior and the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service one on one, along with our staffs to get to this decision. The proposed rule is to delist grizzly bears. Grizzly bears are recovered and have been for more than a decade. It is a great success story,” said Governor Mead. “I look forward to continued work with the Fish and Wildlife Service, Montana and Idaho as we move to a final rule later this year.”
The grizzly bear was first listed as threatened in 1975, when biologists estimated as few as 136 bears in the Greater Yellowstone Area. Now there are estimated to be more than 700.
“Grizzly bears have exceeded all recovery goals. Delisting the grizzly bear is good for the species, for Wyoming and for the West,” said Governor Mead.
The USFWS will now accept public comment on the proposed rule and an accompanying conservation strategy and has committed to complete delisting by the end of the summer.
“We are committed to maintaining a recovered grizzly bear population in the Greater Yellowstone Area into the future,” said Scott Talbott, Director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. “Wyoming has already contributed over $40 million dollars to grizzly conservation and recovery. We need to recognize the commitment of Wyoming stakeholders such as sportsmen, ranchers, conservationists, outdoor recreationists and other users of the Greater Yellowstone Area.”
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department will soon release the draft Grizzly Bear Management Plan and the draft three-state Memorandum of Agreement and embark on a comprehensive process of public review and input. The public is encouraged to offer written comments and attend multiple public meetings held throughout Wyoming. All of this will be considered before a presentation and recommendations are made to the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission.
Grizzly Bear Delisting FAQs
Grizzly Bears Management in Wyoming
Bear Wise Wyoming
The grizzly bear was first listed as threatened in 1975, when biologists estimated as few as 136 bears in the Greater Yellowstone Area. Now there are estimated to be more than 700.
“Grizzly bears have exceeded all recovery goals. Delisting the grizzly bear is good for the species, for Wyoming and for the West,” said Governor Mead.
The USFWS will now accept public comment on the proposed rule and an accompanying conservation strategy and has committed to complete delisting by the end of the summer.
“We are committed to maintaining a recovered grizzly bear population in the Greater Yellowstone Area into the future,” said Scott Talbott, Director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. “Wyoming has already contributed over $40 million dollars to grizzly conservation and recovery. We need to recognize the commitment of Wyoming stakeholders such as sportsmen, ranchers, conservationists, outdoor recreationists and other users of the Greater Yellowstone Area.”
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department will soon release the draft Grizzly Bear Management Plan and the draft three-state Memorandum of Agreement and embark on a comprehensive process of public review and input. The public is encouraged to offer written comments and attend multiple public meetings held throughout Wyoming. All of this will be considered before a presentation and recommendations are made to the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission.
For More Information:
US Fish and Wildlife ServiceGrizzly Bear Delisting FAQs
Grizzly Bears Management in Wyoming
Bear Wise Wyoming
Wyoming Game and Fish (307) 777-4600
