(Fremont County, WY) – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) recent decision to retain the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) grizzly bear on the endangered species list has reignited a fierce debate about wildlife management in Wyoming. The decision has drawn sharp reaction from state officials and conservation groups alike, highlighting the complexities surrounding grizzly bear recovery and coexistence in our region.
Governor Mark Gordon expressed strong disappointment, labeling the move as politically motivated rather than science-based. “The GYE grizzly bear has been delisted twice,” he stated on January 8th. “Population determinations should not be made whimsically. Wyoming wildlife managers, who are experts on this species, should lead decision-making affecting grizzly bear country. I will continue exploring avenues to return grizzly management to Wyoming.”
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department echoed the Governor’s sentiments. Director Angi Bruce called the decision an affront to Wyoming’s conservation efforts. “Grizzly bears are fully recovered in the GYE. This is not a science-based decision but rather an unwillingness by the federal government to relinquish control,” Bruce said…