YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, June 28, 2017 - The Yellowstone grizzly bear was removed from the Endangered Species List last week after 42 years of protection. In a joint statement,
Craig Uden, president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and Dave Eliason, president of the Public Lands Council, said “Secretary Zinke and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service deserve credit for today's action,” and urged them to “take similar steps to remove other grizzly populations throughout the West from federal ESA protection.” Uden and Eliason specifically mentioned a distinct population segment in the North Cascades Ecosystem in Washington State.
According to a Department of Interior release, the population stands at around 700 bears today, a drastic change from an estimated 136 bears in 1975. The Yellowstone grizzly bear is part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Distinct Population Segment (DPS) and includes portions of northwestern Wyoming, southwestern Montana and eastern Idaho. Grizzly bears outside of the DPS will continue to receive protection.
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