It's official -- as of Monday, grizzly bears in and around
Yellowstone National Park are no longer protected under federal law.
The Trump administration removed protections for the bears in the
Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) over the objections of tribes with spiritual, legal and historical connections to the revered animal. At least four tribes in the U.S., along with tribal citizens and religious leaders, are now fighting the decision in court.
"The spiritual health of both the tribal and individual plaintiffs depends upon the health and protection of the GYE grizzly bear," a complaint filed in late June stated,
Courthouse News reported.
The plaintiffs in the complaint include the
Crow Tribe, the
Crow Creek Sioux Tribe and the
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.
The
Northern Cheyenne Tribe is part of a separate legal challenge.
On June 22,
Secretary Ryan Zinke, the leader of the
Department of the Interior, announced the removal of the bear from the protections of the
Endangered
Species Act. A notice of the decision was published in the
Federal Register on June 30. It became effective on July 31.
Read More on the Story:
Yellowstone grizzlies removed from threatened species list
(AP 7/31)
States Take Over Control Of Greater Yellowstone Grizzlies
(Montana Public Radio 7/31)
Federal Register Notice:
Endangered
and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removing the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Population of Grizzly Bears From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened
Wildlife (June 30, 2017)
Relevant Documents:
Press
Release: Secretary Zinke Announces Recovery and Delisting of Yellowstone Grizzly
Bear Greater
Yellowstone Ecosystem Final Rule to Federal Register
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Northern
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States
cheer decision on grizzly bears amid tribal concerns about hunts (June 23,
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Secretary
Zinke removes protections for grizzlies over tribal objections (June 22,
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