Public Says Grizzly Recovery Area Too Small

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has received about 160,000 comments on proposed changes to the recovery criteria for grizzly bears in the Yellowstone ecosystem.

The proposed revisions would change how wildlife managers count bears to be sure the minimum grizzly population in the ecosystem does not dip below 500 animals total and at least 48 females with cubs. Bear deaths currently are counted throughout much of the region, but the proposed changes would restrict the mortality count area to where grizzlies are tallied during annual population estimates.

Rebecca Shoemaker of the Grizzly Bear Recovery Project tells the Jackson Hole News & Guide that many comments on the plan take issue with the small size of the grizzly recovery zone.