grizzly bears

A federal judge has ordered the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Forest Service to reexamine how a cattle grazing plan for areas north of Yellowstone National Park could impact grizzly bears.

As grizzly bears continue expanding eastward outside of federal recovery zones, landowners are prepping for life with their new neighbors. Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks is hosting a series of Grizzly Bear Educational Workshops in central Montana.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will extend the public comment period on the decision to keep grizzly bears in the lower 48 under federal protections.

Last week, President Trump released an order to freeze all kinds of federal rules proposed in the days before the Administration changed, including the latest grizzly bear delisting rule. The Trump Administration is reviewing what Biden tried to do with grizzlies, and deciding what’s next.

The USFWS had scheduled public hearings on the decision for Missoula, Coeur D’Alene, Cody and online this week. In a statement, the agency wrote the meetings were cancelled while the new presidential administration reviews the proposal.

Grizzly bears in the lower 48 will remain protected as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act, federal officials announced Wednesday.

A new conservation agreement west of Lolo will permanently protect a stretch of habitat that could help connect isolated grizzly bear populations.

In January, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is expected to decide whether some populations of grizzly bears should be removed from federal protections and be managed by the states.

Wolf trapping season has been shortened in most of western Montana. But for some regions, the area where traps can be set has grown. The changes were made in response to a court decision that found wolf trapping threatens grizzly bears.

A judge has ruled in favor of wildlife advocacy groups in a legal battle over the lethal removal of grizzly bears. The judge found the federal agency failed to adequately assess how its actions harm grizzly recovery.