Senators demand swift action on grizzly bear delisting review

In a recent government meeting, discussions centered around critical issues affecting Montana, including a recent incident in Yellowstone National Park and the status of grizzly bear populations.

Senator Danes highlighted the bravery of law enforcement officers who responded to a shooting incident in Yellowstone, which could have resulted in a mass casualty event. One officer, who was shot, is recovering with family support, and the senator expressed gratitude for the medical care provided in Idaho Falls.

The conversation then shifted to the status of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). A 12-month status review initiated by the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has been delayed, with the senator urging for its completion. The senator emphasized that the population of grizzly bears in the GYE has recovered, with numbers reaching 965, and the northern continental divide population exceeding 1,100 bears.

The FWS is currently reviewing a petition to delist the GYE as a distinct population segment, a process that has faced legal challenges in the past. The officials acknowledged the effective stewardship of grizzly bears by Montana and Wyoming, expressing a desire for the bears to be delisted as a sign of recovery.

Despite the delays, officials assured that the review process is a priority for the FWS leadership, with ongoing efforts to expedite the completion of the study. The senator stressed the importance of adhering to the timeline, stating that the integrity of the process must be maintained, especially as the review has already exceeded the expected timeframe.