Wyoming and Montana have petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove grizzly bears from the endangered species list. Wyoming’s petition applies to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and Montana’s covers the Northern Continental Divide System. Wildlife advocates worry about the future of grizzlies, especially with a decision expected on Wyoming’s petition in January.
Kristin Combs, director of Wyoming Wildlife Advocates, emphasizes the importance of large carnivores for ecosystem health. She highlights that grizzly bears were nearly extinct in the 1970s but have made slow progress toward recovery. However, the population is still fragile, and advocates believe delisting could hinder their recovery.
Currently, there are about 2,200 grizzly bears in the lower 48 states, but experts say at least 5,000 are needed for long-term sustainability. Due to their slow reproduction rates, grizzly recovery is a long-term process, and advocates fear that delisting could risk their survival and limit their habitat.
Political pressures also raise concerns, as Wyoming has proposed legislation to delist the bears, with some leaders advocating for limited hunting. Chris Servheen, former Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator, warns that state management may harm the bears and reduce their numbers. He also notes the economic value grizzlies bring through tourism.
Both Servheen and Combs argue that delisting is premature, stressing the need for continued federal protections. The grizzly bear population remains vulnerable, and delisting could reverse recovery efforts, leading to fewer bears and a loss of ecological and economic benefits.