Republican Calls to End Grizzly Bear Protection After National Park Attacks
Summary
A Republican Representative from Montana, Ryan Zinke, urged the federal government to remove protections for grizzly bears after two recent attacks in U.S. national parks resulted in one death and two injuries. He argues that grizzly populations have grown too large and that states should have control over managing the bears to protect people and wildlife.Key Facts
- Two recent grizzly bear attacks occurred in national parks in early May 2024: one fatal in Glacier National Park and one that injured two hikers in Yellowstone National Park.
- Ryan Zinke, a Republican Representative from Montana, called for grizzly bears to be removed from federal protection ("delisted") so states can better manage their populations.
- The injured hikers were attacked near the Mystic Falls trail in Yellowstone, a park home to both grizzly and black bears.
- The deceased hiker, Anthony Pollio, was found with injuries consistent with a bear encounter in Glacier National Park on May 6.
- Grizzly bears were listed as a threatened species in 1975 due to low numbers caused by hunting and habitat loss.
- As of 2021, grizzly bear populations have increased, with about 1,095 bears in Montana’s Northern Continental Divide and 727 in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem.
- Bear attacks are rare and often happen when bears are startled or attracted to human food; safety steps include storing food properly and carrying bear spray.
- The call to delist grizzlies has generated debate, with some people arguing that bears live in their natural habitats and risks are part of hiking in the wild.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.