Wyoming Game and Fish Department Director Angi Bruce has issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) decision not to delist the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) grizzly bear. Management of the GYE grizzly bear will remain under federal control.

The USFWS's decision not to delist the GYE grizzly bear is extremely disappointing and frustrating. The science is clear on grizzly bears: They are recovered in the GYE, and their recovery is a conservation success. It is very clear that grizzly bears should be under state and tribal management.

Failing to recognize grizzly bear recovery in Wyoming is an insult to the Endangered Species Act and dismisses the extensive efforts of our wildlife managers to ensure their place on the landscape.

Despite all our efforts the USFWS has chosen to ignore science and keep grizzly bears listed. This is not a science-based decision but a decision based on the federal government not wanting to give up control. One of the greatest wildlife conservation success stories on earth is being undermined by a failure to recognize those compromises, collaborations and sacrifices that brought back grizzly bears from the brink of extirpation.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has spent millions of license fee dollars and thousands of hours to fulfill all the obligations required to demonstrate to the courts and USFWS that GYE grizzly bears are fully recovered. This decision shows that no matter what we do, the USFWS refuses to recognize the State’s efforts as well as the sacrifices and compromises made by the public who live, work and recreate in areas occupied by grizzly bears. This decision is unfortunate and disappointing for grizzly bears and for the people of Wyoming.