Grizzly Bears Retain Status Under Endangered Species Act

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has completed their 5 year status review of the grizzly bear in the lower 48 states and announced that they will recommend the species retains their threatened status under the “Endangered Species Act.” Senator Daines released the following statement in response to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announcement:

“The Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed once again what Montanans know all too well—the grizzly bear is continuing to recover nationwide and has fully recovered in Montana’s two largest ecosystems. Merely recognizing the biologic recovery of the grizzly bear is not enough. The Biden Administration should follow through on their commitment to follow the science and act upon their career scientists own findings by moving forward immediately to delist the grizzly bear in Montana and return species management back to the state,” Daines stated.

Last week, the Senator introduced legislation to delist grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Many Montana communities are facing negative impacts from the continued protection of this species after it has fully met recovery criteria.