"Yellowstone Grizzly Bear to Lose Endangered Species Protection"

"HELENA, Mont. — After 42 years on the Endangered Species list, the Yellowstone grizzly bear — whose numbers have grown to more than 700 from fewer than 150 — will lose its protected status, the Interior Department announced on Thursday.

The controversial move has long been debated, despite the bear’s increasing population in areas where it had not been seen in decades. The Fish and Wildlife Service tried to delist the bear in 2007, but was ordered by federal court decisions to reconsider its analysis because of a decline in white bark pine, a key bear food source that has been decimated by insects partly because of warmer temperatures in the region.

In making the decision to lift the protection, Ryan Zinke, the secretary of the interior, remarked on the long-term efforts that have allowed the bear to thrive: “This achievement stands as one of America’s great conservation successes; the culmination of decades of hard work and dedication on the part of state, tribal, federal and private partners,” Mr. Zinke said in a statement. “As a Montanan I am proud of what we’ve achieved together.”"

Jim Robbins reports for the New York Times June 22, 2017.

SEE ALSO:

"States Won't Rush Approval Of Yellowstone Grizzly Hunts" (AP)

"Yellowstone Grizzly Bears To Lose Endangered Species Protection" (Reuters)

"Yellowstone Grizzlies Can Be Hunted After Endangered Protections Lifted" (Guardian)

"After 42 Years, Yellowstone Grizzly Will Be Taken Off Endangered Species List" (NPR)

"US Officials To Lift Yellowstone Grizzly Bear Protections" (AP)