Feds: Yellowstone Grizzlies Are Thriving

[jpak]

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/tech/2007/mar/22/032206004.html

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Grizzly bears are thriving in and around Yellowstone National Park and no longer need the protection of the Endangered Species Act, the federal government said Thursday.

In the 30 years since the grizzly was listed as a threatened species, the Yellowstone population has increased from as few as 136 animals to more than 500 today, the government said.

"The grizzly is a large predator that requires a great deal of space, and conserving such animals is a challenge in today's world," Deputy Interior Secretary Lynn Scarlett said in announcing the decision. "I believe all Americans should be proud that, as a nation, we had the will and the ability to protect and restore this symbol of the wild."

The Interior Department said in 2005 that it intended to delist grizzly bears around Yellowstone in the states of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.

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[ThomCat]

1. I'm sceptical of this. I just don't trust any agency under Bush.

x(

[BOSSHOG]

2. So lets go kill them all

as a tribute to conservative values.

Trusting the word of a bush administration spokesman about something as important as endangered species?

[maxsolomon]

3. the rocky mtn. trophy hunters are polishing their guns as we write

don't leave the NP, you giant carnivores - someone in montana is going to say you like to eat sheep or have brucelosis, and BLAM!

back on the endangered list.

[Virginia Dare]

4. Dicky boy's got a new gun and he's itchin' to use it...n/t

[Deep13]

5. "conserving such animals is a challenge in today's world"

If she's not up to the job, I'm sure we can find someone else with less of a cut-and-run attitude. Here's an idea: stop building shit in wild areas.

[Egalitarian]

8. Agreed.

"stop building shit in wild areas."

Or, destroying habitat. We're down to such low levels of habitat left for wide ranging creatures like bears, I'm concerned about the ramifications of delisting.

On a similar note, I'm vaguely aware of a project looking into wolverine numbers in the Glacier National Park region of NW Montana. Wolverines cover much more ground than bears and are much more shy of human activity. FWIW, I've seen two grizzlies up close and probably 50 from a distance, but never have I seen a wolverine. I did see tracks once, but that was in Canada.

Is anyone familiar with the wolverines status with respect to being listed as an endangered species?

[Poiuyt]

6. Watch out! Here comes Ted Nugent!

Guns a-blazin'

[Deep13]

7. One does not need to talk to Nugent for long to realize...

..."I am looking into the eyes of a man who is bat-shit-insane."

[Egalitarian]

9. My Mom gave me "Kill it and Grill it"

by Ted as a Christmas present. I teared up when I read the title and saw the picture of him and his wife on the front cover. I don't recall the details of the picture, but clearly it conveyed a lack of respect for the hunted animal.

FWIW my Mom was somewhat thoughtful, as I hunted for the first time ever this past fall and did kill a deer.

That being said, I had some smoked black bear once and found it delicious.