US Plan To Lift Yellowstone Grizz Protections Faces Mounting Opposition

"A U.S. government plan to lift Endangered Species Act protection of the grizzly bear in and around Yellowstone National Park drew a torrent of criticism from environmentalists and Indian tribes as the public comment period for the proposal came to a close on Wednesday.

Much of the discontent has focused on the prospect of grizzlies in the region becoming open to trophy hunting under state management plans put in place once federal safeguards are removed.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service formally proposed in March that grizzlies in the Yellowstone area - spanning parts of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho - be removed from the list of threatened species, citing data showing their numbers have rebounded to healthy levels."

Laura Zuckerman reports for Reuters May 11, 2016.

SEE ALSO:

"Rocky Mountain States Prepare For Return Of Grizzly Hunts" (AP)