Conservation groups today blasted a U.S. Forest Service decision to authorize continued livestock grazing in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The forest encompasses the headwaters of the Green River, an area important for grizzly bear recovery and elk, deer and pronghorn migrations. The Service itself determined that the plan’s grazing is “likely to adversely affect” grizzly bears, which are protected under the Endangered Species Act.
Seattle, WA-- Today, at the Northwest Power and Conservation Council (NWPCC)’s public hearing on their annual Fish and Wildlife Plan, over 80 advocates from multiple organizations testified-- calling out the Council’s inadequate plan to protect region’s struggling steelhead and Snake-Columbia salmon populations - along with the orca that rely on them -from extinction.
After the meeting, representatives from organizations in attendance released the following statements:
Seattle, WA-- Tomorrow, advocates from conservation and local organizations will publicly call on the Northwest Power and Conservation Council (NWPCC) to include critical protections for orca and salmon at their public hearing seeking public comment on their latest five-year Fish and Wildlife Plan. Advocates from conservation organizations will testify -- stressing the need for a plan to ensure recovery of the region’s rapidly declining whale and fish populations. See full event details here.
Dupuyer, MT-- Tomorrow, Interior Secretary Bernhardt will host a media event with Rep. Greg Gianforte in Dupuyer on the subject of grizzly bear management. The press event comes after Bernhardt implemented substantial rollbacks to the Endangered Species Act in August and assisted the finalizing of the delisting of grizzly bears in the Yellowstone region in 2017. Bernhardt’s record in Montana underlines his ties to extractive industry in the state, efforts to undermine wildlife protections and growing questions of ethics.
Jackson, WY-- Late yesterday, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department announced that chronic wasting disease (CWD) was confirmed in a mule deer in the Wyoming Range mountains. The positive test signals that the always-fatal wildlife disease has officially hit an area that encompasses three entire winter elk feedgrounds: South Park, Horse Creek, and Camp Creek; and a portion of Dell Creekfeedground at Riling Draw road.
Environmental and animal protection groups today sued the Trump administration over its new regulations that dramatically weaken the Endangered Species Act.
Rock Springs, WY-- The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission will meet on July 18th and 19th to decide whether or not to require hunters to carry bear spray in grizzly bear habitat, how to control the spread of chronic wasting disease, and adopt regulations for wolf hunting, among other topics.
Montana-- Joining across international and sovereign lines, today the Blackfoot Confederacy -- comprised of the Piikani Nation, the Blackfeet Nation, the Siksika Nation and the Blood Tribe -- released a statement opposing the Trump Administration’s attempts to remove Endangered Species protections for grizzly bears in the
MINNEAPOLIS, MN— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service held its only public hearing on the Trump administration proposal to end federal protection for nearly all gray wolves in the lower 48 states in Brainerd, Minn.
Dozens of wolf activists gathered at nearby Gregory Park to oppose the delisting proposal. The rally featured speakers and chanting advocates with signs. Photos and video for media use are available upon request.
MISSOULA, Mont.— The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee on Tuesday will consider implementing additional measures to reduce conflicts between grizzly bears and people in the northern Rockies, as requested by conservation groups and others.
The number of grizzly bear deaths has spiked to unprecedented levels in recent years. In 2018, at least 120 bears died in the Yellowstone and Northern Continental Divide regions. Most were preventable mortalities from human-related causes.
Seattle, WA-- This weekend, advocates across Washington gathered in several places to protest the Miami Seaquarium’s capture of the orca Tokitae, who is native to the Salish Sea and sacred to the Lummi Nation. The Lummi finalized their Totem Pole Journey with stops across the state-- a 23-day trip from Miami to Seattle to raise awareness about Tokitae’s situation. Tokitae is the only Salish orca who survived a cruel and massive capture of 40 whales in these waters years ago for sea circuses and parks.
Jackson Hole, WY-- Chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal infection in deer, elk and moose, has expanded into Grand Teton National Park and ever closer to Yellowstone National Park in recent years. Updated maps created by Wyoming Wildlife Advocates and Sierra Club Wyoming Chapter display the geographical spread over time, and showcase the threats to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, the National Elk Refuge and the proximity of the deadly disease to elk winter feedgrounds in western Wyoming.