But several conservation groups have fought the FWS’s decision in court for more than a decade. In July, they scored a victory—a federal court ruled that Yellowstone’s grizzlies must stay on the endangered species list.
Like all wildlife, grizzlies are protected inside Yellowstone Park. It’s what happens outside the park that has conservation groups concerned. Without the protection of the ESA, a bear could be legally hunted when it roams into neighboring areas.
Sarah McMillan works for WildEarth Guardians, one of the conservation groups that challenged the FWS in court. She notes that many scientists say the bears should remain on the endangered species list until their population grows to at least 5,000.
“It’s not that we just want grizzlies on the list,” McMillan explains. “I’d like to see them taken off, but only when they have truly recovered.”