In 1973 President Nixon signed the Endangered Species Act. In 1975, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the grizzly bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, meaning it is considered likely to become endangered "endangered" means a species is considered in danger of extinction within all or a significant portion of its range).
Federal officials are proposing that the grizzly be removed from the endangered species list as the population is growing and expanding. But this has many voicing their concerns.
The grizzly, at one time numbered between 50,000 and 100,000. Today there are between 1,000 - 2,000. Some worry that the population isn't ready to lose the protection even though the Forest Service has proposed a habitat plan. Environmentalists say the plan does not protect enough habitat to ensure that the bear's recovery takes hold.
"The federal government wants to sign the grizzly bear delisting order with their right hand, while using their left hand to wave goodbye to habitat that grizzly bears require for long-term survival in the U.S. Northern Rockies--their last stronghold in the lower 48 states," says Louisa Willcox of the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Once federal protections are lifted - a process that will take several years and is likely to involve litigation - states will have the primary say in how grizzlies are managed, but each will be following guidelines set out in a federal conservation strategy. (source: Billings Gazette)
Doug Peacock, a bear specialist, had this to say in December, 2003. "The bears belong to everybody. If they delist the grizzly, that's it. It's a huge responsibility. Where are the bears going to be in 35 years?" (source:Casper Star Tribune)
The manner in which this animal roams and rules the forest is transcendent. It has grace, wisdom, strength and beauty. It knows when to protect and senses when to back off. They mean us no harm and we should feel the same towards them. After all, it is their territory we are invading and we need to respect that. With everyone's help, we can keep the grizzly from becoming extinct.
Sources:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5669816/
http://www.billingsgazette.com
Casper Star Tribune
Below you will find several links regarding the grizzly.
Links:
Bear of a battle over grizzly habitat plan
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