Washington, D.C. – Grizzly bears in the Rocky Mountains, including Wyoming, will remain protected.
On Wednesday, the Biden administration said it will continue protecting about 2,000 of the bears despite being opposed by Republican-led states.
Federal officials also said they would ease some restrictions as conflicts between bears and humans rise. Ranchers operating outside of designated grizzly recovery zones would be allowed to shoot the predators if they attack livestock or dogs. And state officials could be authorized to capture and relocate bears to prevent potential conflicts.
Republican officials in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho petitioned the Fish and Wildlife Service in 2021 seeking to reclaim state management of the grizzly population. That would open the door to hunts, although state officials have said those would be limited and not endanger the overall population…