Yellowstone Grizzly To Be Removed From Endangered Species List

WASHINGTON — More than four decades after being listed as endangered, grizzly bears in and around Yellowstone National Park have recovered to the point that they no longer require protection under the Endangered Species Act, authorities said Thursday.

The current Yellowstone grizzly population is estimated at 700 individuals, up from as few as 136 bears in 1975, according to the Interior Department.

In a statement accompanying the agency’s announcement, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said the delisting is “a long time coming and very good news for many communities and advocates in the Yellowstone region.”

“This achievement stands as one of America’s great conservation successes; the culmination of decades of hard work and dedication on the part of the state, tribal, federal and private partners,” he said. “As a Montanan, I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together.”

The final rule will soon be published in the Federal Register, and it will take effect 30 days after publication. The action does not impact grizzlies elsewhere in the country, and those bears will continue to be protected under the act.

(Photo: bjbowne via Getty Images)
(Photo: bjbowne via Getty Images)

Federal authorities said Thursday that multiple factors indicate the Yellowstone grizzly population “is healthy and will be sustained into the future.” The decision to remove protections, they said, was “informed by over four decades of intensive, independent scientific efforts.”

But conservationists worry how the bears will fare after Endangered Species Act protections are stripped and grizzlies outside the park are managed by the states of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. State jurisdiction opens the door for limited hunting of grizzlies outside Yellowstone.

Andrea Santarsiere, a senior attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity, called the move “tragic.”

“This deeply misguided decision just isn’t supported by the science, so the Trump administration may be leaving itself vulnerable to a strong legal challenge,” Santarsiere said in a statement. “The evidence clearly shows we need to protect Yellowstone grizzlies, not turn them into targets for trophy hunters.”

Jamie Rappaport Clark, president and CEO of the nonprofit Defenders of Wildlife, called the Yellowstone grizzly’s recovery “an undeniable example of how the ESA can bring a species back from the brink,” but said her group remains concerned about future management.

“We cannot allow the decades of work and investment to save these bears go down the drain,” she said.

The seeds of white bark pine, a high-elevation tree that has been severely impacted by disease, insects and climate change, are an important food source for Yellowstone grizzlies.

Sylvia Fallon, senior scientist with the Natural Resources Defense Council, said in a statement that until a plan is in place to protect Yellowstone grizzlies from long-term threats, the bears’ future remains “grim.”

“Climate change, isolation, and increasingly fragmented habitat continue to threaten the long-term survival of Yellowstone’s grizzly bears,” she said.

Also on HuffPost

<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Diceros sumatrensis</em>    <strong>Common Name: </strong>Sumatran rhino    <strong>Category:</strong> Rhino    <strong>Population: </strong> < 250 individuals     <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Hunting for horn -used in traditional medicine
Scientific Name: Diceros sumatrensis Common Name: Sumatran rhino Category: Rhino Population: < 250 individuals Threats To Survival: Hunting for horn -used in traditional medicine
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Eleutherodactylus thorectes</em>  <strong>Common Name: </strong>Macaya Breast-Spot Frog  <strong>Category:</strong> Frog  <strong>Population: </strong>Unknown  <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Habitat destruction due to charcoal production and slash-and-burn agriculture  Credit: <a href="http://www.robindmoore.com">Robin Moore</a>
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Scaturiginichthys vermeilipinnis</em>    <strong>Common Name: </strong>Red-Finned Blue Eye    <strong>Category:</strong> Freshwater Fish    <strong>Population: </strong>2,000 - 4,000 Individuals    <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Predation by introduced species
Scientific Name: Scaturiginichthys vermeilipinnis Common Name: Red-Finned Blue Eye Category: Freshwater Fish Population: 2,000 - 4,000 Individuals Threats To Survival: Predation by introduced species
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Rafetus Swinhoei</em>    <strong>Common Name: </strong>Red River Giant Softshell Turtle    <strong>Category:</strong> Turtle    <strong>Population: </strong>4 known individuals     <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Hunting for consumption and habitat destruction and degradation as a result of wetland destruction and pollution
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Neurergus kaiseri</em>    <strong>Common Name: </strong>Luristan newt    <strong>Category:</strong> Newt    <strong>Population: </strong> < 1000 mature individuals     <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Illegal collection for pet trade
Scientific Name: Neurergus kaiseri Common Name: Luristan newt Category: Newt Population: < 1000 mature individuals Threats To Survival: Illegal collection for pet trade

List Provided By Zoological Society Of London/ International Union For Conservation Of Nature

<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Poecilotheria metallica</em>  <strong>Common Name: </strong>Peacock Parachute Spider  <strong>Category:</strong> Spider  <strong>Population: </strong>Unknown  <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Habitat loss and degradation as a result of deforestation, firewood collection and civil unrest
Scientific Name: Poecilotheria metallica Common Name: Peacock Parachute Spider Category: Spider Population: Unknown Threats To Survival: Habitat loss and degradation as a result of deforestation, firewood collection and civil unrest
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Atelopus balios</em>  <strong>Common Name: </strong>Rio Pescado Stubfoot Toad  <strong>Category:</strong> Toad  <strong>Population: </strong>Unknown (declining)  <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Chytridiomycosis and habitat destruction due to logging and agricultural expansion
Scientific Name: Atelopus balios Common Name: Rio Pescado Stubfoot Toad Category: Toad Population: Unknown (declining) Threats To Survival: Chytridiomycosis and habitat destruction due to logging and agricultural expansion
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Johora Singaporensis</em>    <strong>Common Name: </strong>Singapore Freshwater Crab    <strong>Category:</strong> Crab    <strong>Population: </strong>Unknown    <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Habitat degradation - reduction in water quality and quantity
Scientific Name: Johora Singaporensis Common Name: Singapore Freshwater Crab Category: Crab Population: Unknown Threats To Survival: Habitat degradation - reduction in water quality and quantity
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Abies beshanzuensis</em>  <strong>Common Name: </strong>Baishan Fir  <strong>Category:</strong> Conifer  <strong>Population: </strong>5 mature individuals  <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Agricultural expansion and fire
Scientific Name: Abies beshanzuensis Common Name: Baishan Fir Category: Conifer Population: 5 mature individuals Threats To Survival: Agricultural expansion and fire
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Actinote zikani </em>    <strong>Common Name: </strong>None    <strong>Category:</strong> Butterfly    <strong>Population: </strong>Unknown, one population remaining    <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Habitat degradation due to pressure from human populations
Scientific Name: Actinote zikani Common Name: None Category: Butterfly Population: Unknown, one population remaining Threats To Survival: Habitat degradation due to pressure from human populations
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Aipysurus foliosquama</em>    <strong>Common Name: </strong>Leaf Scaled Sea-Snake    <strong>Category:</strong> Sea snake    <strong>Population: </strong> Unknown, two subpopulations remain    <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Unknown - likely degradation of coral reef habitat
Scientific Name: Aipysurus foliosquama Common Name: Leaf Scaled Sea-Snake Category: Sea snake Population: Unknown, two subpopulations remain Threats To Survival: Unknown - likely degradation of coral reef habitat
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Amanipodagrion gilliesi</em>    <strong>Common Name: </strong>Amani Flatwing    <strong>Category:</strong> Damselfly    <strong>Population: </strong> < 500 individuals est.    <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Habitat degradation due to increasing population pressure and water pollution
Scientific Name: Amanipodagrion gilliesi Common Name: Amani Flatwing Category: Damselfly Population: < 500 individuals est. Threats To Survival: Habitat degradation due to increasing population pressure and water pollution
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Antilophia bokermanni</em>    <strong>Common Name: </strong>Araripe Manakin    <strong>Category:</strong> bird    <strong>Population: </strong>779 individuals (est 2010)    <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Habitat destruction due to expansion of agriculture and recreational facilities and water diversion
Scientific Name: Antilophia bokermanni Common Name: Araripe Manakin Category: bird Population: 779 individuals (est 2010) Threats To Survival: Habitat destruction due to expansion of agriculture and recreational facilities and water diversion
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> Antisolabis seychellensis    <strong>Common Name: </strong> Seychelles Earwig    <strong>Category:</strong> Earwig     <strong>Population: </strong>Unknown (declining)    <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Invasive species and climate change
Scientific Name: Antisolabis seychellensis Common Name: Seychelles Earwig Category: Earwig Population: Unknown (declining) Threats To Survival: Invasive species and climate change
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> Aphanius transgrediens    <strong>Common Name: </strong>None    <strong>Category:</strong> Freshwater fish    <strong>Population: </strong>Unknown (declining)    <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Competition and predation by Gambusia and road construction
Scientific Name: Aphanius transgrediens Common Name: None Category: Freshwater fish Population: Unknown (declining) Threats To Survival: Competition and predation by Gambusia and road construction
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> Ardeotis nigriceps    <strong>Common Name: </strong> Great Indian Bustard    <strong>Category:</strong> Bird    <strong>Population: </strong> 50 -249 mature individuals    <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Habitat loss and modification due to agricultural development
Scientific Name: Ardeotis nigriceps Common Name: Great Indian Bustard Category: Bird Population: 50 -249 mature individuals Threats To Survival: Habitat loss and modification due to agricultural development
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> Ardea insignis    <strong>Common Name: </strong>White Bellied Heron    <strong>Category:</strong> Bird    <strong>Population: </strong>70-400 individuals    <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Habitat destruction and degradation due to hydropower development
Scientific Name: Ardea insignis Common Name: White Bellied Heron Category: Bird Population: 70-400 individuals Threats To Survival: Habitat destruction and degradation due to hydropower development
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Astrochelus yniphora</em>    <strong>Common Name: </strong> Ploughshare Tortoise / Angonoka    <strong>Category:</strong> Tortoise    <strong>Population: </strong>440-770    <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Illegal collection for international pet trade
Scientific Name: Astrochelus yniphora Common Name: Ploughshare Tortoise / Angonoka Category: Tortoise Population: 440-770 Threats To Survival: Illegal collection for international pet trade
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Aythya innotata</em>    <strong>Common Name: </strong>Madagascar Pochard    <strong>Category:</strong> Bird    <strong>Population: </strong> Approximately 20 mature individuals    <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Habitat degradation due to slash-and-burn agriculture, hunting, and fishing / introduced fish
Scientific Name: Aythya innotata Common Name: Madagascar Pochard Category: Bird Population: Approximately 20 mature individuals Threats To Survival: Habitat degradation due to slash-and-burn agriculture, hunting, and fishing / introduced fish
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Azurina eupalama</em>    <strong>Common Name: </strong> Galapagos damsel fish    <strong>Category:</strong> Pelagic fish    <strong>Population: </strong>Unknown (declining)    <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Climate Change - oceanographic changes associated with the 1982 / 1983 El Nino are presumed to be responsible for the apparent disappearance of this species from the Galapagos
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Bahaba taipingensis</em>     <strong>Common Name: </strong> Giant yellow croaker    <strong>Category:</strong> Pelagic fish    <strong>Population: </strong> Unknown (declining)    <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Over-fishing, primarily due to value of swim-bladder for traditional medicine - cost per kilogram exceeded that of gold in 2001
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Batagur baska</em>    <strong>Common Name: </strong> Common Batagur/ Four-toed terrapin    <strong>Category:</strong> Turtle    <strong>Population: </strong> Unknown (declining)    <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Illegal export and trade from Indonesia to China
Scientific Name: Batagur baska Common Name: Common Batagur/ Four-toed terrapin Category: Turtle Population: Unknown (declining) Threats To Survival: Illegal export and trade from Indonesia to China
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> Bazzania bhutanica    <strong>Common Name: </strong>None    <strong>Category:</strong> Liverwort    <strong>Population: </strong>Unknown (declining)    <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Habitat degradation and destruction due to forest clearance, overgrazing and development
Scientific Name: Bazzania bhutanica Common Name: None Category: Liverwort Population: Unknown (declining) Threats To Survival: Habitat degradation and destruction due to forest clearance, overgrazing and development
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Beatragus hunteri</em>    <strong>Common Name: </strong>Hirola    <strong>Category:</strong> Antelope    <strong>Population: </strong> < 1000 individuals    <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong>  Habitat loss and degradation, competition with livestock, poaching
Scientific Name: Beatragus hunteri Common Name: Hirola Category: Antelope Population: < 1000 individuals Threats To Survival: Habitat loss and degradation, competition with livestock, poaching
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Bombus franklinii</em>    <strong>Common Name: </strong>Franklin's Bumble Bee    <strong>Category:</strong> Bee    <strong>Population: </strong>Unknown (declining)    <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Disease from commercially bred bumblebees and habitat destruction and degradation
Scientific Name: Bombus franklinii Common Name: Franklin's Bumble Bee Category: Bee Population: Unknown (declining) Threats To Survival: Disease from commercially bred bumblebees and habitat destruction and degradation
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> Brachyteles hypoxanthus    <strong>Common Name: </strong> Northern muriqui    <strong>Category:</strong> Primate    <strong>Population: </strong> < 1,000 individuals    <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Habitat loss and fragmentation due to large-scale deforestation and selective logging
Scientific Name: Brachyteles hypoxanthus Common Name: Northern muriqui Category: Primate Population: < 1,000 individuals Threats To Survival: Habitat loss and fragmentation due to large-scale deforestation and selective logging
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Bradypus pygmaeus</em>    <strong>Common Name: </strong>Pygmy sloth    <strong>Category:</strong> Sloth    <strong>Population: </strong> < 500 individuals     <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Habitat loss due to illegal logging of mangrove forests for firewood and construction and hunting of the sloths
Scientific Name: Bradypus pygmaeus Common Name: Pygmy sloth Category: Sloth Population: < 500 individuals Threats To Survival: Habitat loss due to illegal logging of mangrove forests for firewood and construction and hunting of the sloths
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Callitriche pulchra</em>    <strong>Common Name: </strong>None    <strong>Category:</strong> Freshwater plant    <strong>Population: </strong> Unknown (declining)    <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Exploitation of the species' habitat by stock, and modification of the pool by local people
Scientific Name: Callitriche pulchra Common Name: None Category: Freshwater plant Population: Unknown (declining) Threats To Survival: Exploitation of the species' habitat by stock, and modification of the pool by local people
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Calumma tarzan</em>    <strong>Common Name: </strong>Tarzan's Chameleon    <strong>Category:</strong> Chameleon    <strong>Population: </strong>Unknown    <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Habitat destruction for agriculture
Scientific Name: Calumma tarzan Common Name: Tarzan's Chameleon Category: Chameleon Population: Unknown Threats To Survival: Habitat destruction for agriculture
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Cavia intermedia</em>    <strong>Common Name: </strong>Santa Catarina's Guinea Pig    <strong>Category:</strong> Guinea Pig    <strong>Population: </strong> 40-60 individuals    <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Habitat disturbance and possible hunting; small population effects
Scientific Name: Cavia intermedia Common Name: Santa Catarina's Guinea Pig Category: Guinea Pig Population: 40-60 individuals Threats To Survival: Habitat disturbance and possible hunting; small population effects
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Cercopithecus roloway</em>    <strong>Common Name: </strong>Roloway Guenon    <strong>Category:</strong> Primate    <strong>Population: </strong>Unknown    <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Hunting for consumption as bushmeat, and habitat loss
Scientific Name: Cercopithecus roloway Common Name: Roloway Guenon Category: Primate Population: Unknown Threats To Survival: Hunting for consumption as bushmeat, and habitat loss
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Coleura seychellensis</em>    <strong>Common Name: </strong>Seychelles Sheath-Tailed Bat    <strong>Category:</strong> Bat    <strong>Population: </strong> < 100 mature individuals (est 2008)    <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Habitat degradation and predation by invasive species
Scientific Name: Coleura seychellensis Common Name: Seychelles Sheath-Tailed Bat Category: Bat Population: < 100 mature individuals (est 2008) Threats To Survival: Habitat degradation and predation by invasive species
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Cryptomyces maximus</em>    <strong>Common Name: </strong>None    <strong>Category:</strong> Fungus    <strong>Population: </strong>Unknown (declining)    <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Limited availability of habitat
Scientific Name: Cryptomyces maximus Common Name: None Category: Fungus Population: Unknown (declining) Threats To Survival: Limited availability of habitat
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Cryptotis nelsoni</em>    <strong>Common Name: </strong>Nelson's Small-Eared Shrew    <strong>Category:</strong> Shrew    <strong>Population: </strong>Unknown (declining)    <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> habitat loss due to logging cattle grazing, fire and agriculture
Scientific Name: Cryptotis nelsoni Common Name: Nelson's Small-Eared Shrew Category: Shrew Population: Unknown (declining) Threats To Survival: habitat loss due to logging cattle grazing, fire and agriculture
<strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Cyclura collei</em>    <strong>Common Name: </strong>Jamaican Iguana    <strong>Category:</strong> Iguana    <strong>Population: </strong>Unknown (declining)    <strong>Threats To Survival:</strong> Predation by introduced species and habitat destruction
Scientific Name: Cyclura collei Common Name: Jamaican Iguana Category: Iguana Population: Unknown (declining) Threats To Survival: Predation by introduced species and habitat destruction

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.