Daines Statement on Recovery and Delisting of Yellowstone Grizzly Bear

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on the U.S. Department of the Interior’s announcement that the Yellowstone population of the grizzly bear has been recovered to the point where federal protections can be removed and overall management can be returned to the states and tribes.

“It will be great to see the grizzly bear recovered and off the endangered species list,” Daines stated. “I was 12 years old growing up in Bozeman when steps began to restore the grizzly bear population. As an avid backpacker, hiker and fisherman, I know firsthand the importance of conservation to Montana. I look forward to continuing to work with the state of Montana as they take the lead in the management of the grizzly.” 

On March 3, 2016, Daines praised the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s (USFWS) announcement about the recovery of the Yellowstone Grizzly.

According to the USFWS, the Yellowstone grizzly bear population has rebounded from as few as 136 bears in 1975 to an estimated 700 or more today. 

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