Wyoming Game and Fish on grizzly bear status

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - Wyoming Game and Fish released a statement on U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s recommendation for grizzly bears to keep their “threatened” status on the endangered species list.

They said during a five year status review, they saw scientific data that shows recovery within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The grizzly bear population grew from 136 to nearly 1,000.

Wyoming Game and Fish echo the concerns that Senator Lummis stated when she introduced a bill last month to de-list grizzly bears. The Grizzly Bear State Management Act of 2021 empowers states to manage their own grizzly populations.

The bill, introduced alongside Senator Barrasso, two Idaho and one Montana senator, would remove grizzly bears from the endangered species list and hand over management to wildlife scientists in the states.

According to Wyoming Game and Fish, Wyoming has contributed over $50 million to meet the high-bar required for de-listing. Most of the contribution comes from hunters and anglers.