Grizzly bears once roamed across the western United States, but relentless hunting and trapping over the past few centuries nearly wiped them out. Thanks to decades of protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), these iconic bears have begun to recover and regain their rightful, ecologically critical place in North American ecosystems.
Some good news for grizzly bears: In January, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) rejected efforts by Wyoming and Montana to strip grizzlies of ESA protections so more could be killed. Instead, USFWS proposed regulations to keep grizzlies listed as a threatened species across Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Wyoming—a significant step in the right direction.
But here’s the bad news: The current proposal would remove ESA protections for grizzlies outside Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Wyoming—which would spell disaster for bears that migrate through and live in other states. Worse yet, the plan would make it easier for ranchers and landowners to kill grizzlies—undoing years of progress toward their recovery.
Adding to the uncertainty, public hearings on the proposal were canceled under the new administration, and there’s a real danger that the stronger protections could be reversed while the harmful provisions remain.
Grizzlies need your voice now. Please submit a comment by March 17 telling FWS to stand firm and protect grizzly bears!
Take Action for Grizzly Bears!
The full proposal from the Fish and Wildlife Service is available here. To submit a comment:
- Go to www.regulations.gov docket number: FWS-R6-ES-2024-0186 here.
- Click on the “Submit a Public Comment” button in the upper left corner and draft your comment using these talking points (please personalize your comment for greater impact).
- Submit your public comment before March 17, 2025!
