A grizzly bear and her cub in the snow.

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The Fight to Protect Grizzlies

Yellowstone's grizzly bears have clawed their way back onto the endangered species list—for now.

December 7, 2020
By Yvette Berland

As You Read, Think About: Why did the grizzly population in the U.S. drop in the 1800s?

Yellowstone National Park is known for its wildlife and natural wonders, like its famous geyser, Old Faithful. But America’s oldest national park is also at the center of a battle to save one of its most famous residents: the grizzly bear.

Grizzlies were first considered an endangered species in 1975. The question now is whether they still should be. And not everyone agrees on the answer.

Yellowstone National Park is known for its wildlife and its famous geyser, Old Faithful. But America’s oldest national park is also at the center of a battle. How should one of its most famous animals, the grizzly bear, be saved?

Grizzlies were first considered an endangered species in 1975. The question now is whether they still should be. And not everyone agrees on the answer.

Map It Out

This map shows the number of grizzlies in the six areas where the bears live in the Northwest. Experts say it’s important for the groups to connect with each other to help strengthen the species.

Jim McMahon

Based on the map, about how many grizzlies live in the contiguous U.S.?

Map It Out

This map shows the number of grizzlies in the six areas where the bears live in the Northwest. Experts say it’s important for the groups to connect with each other to help strengthen the species.

Jim McMahon

Based on the map, about how many grizzlies live in the contiguous U.S.?

Nearly Gone

As many as 50,000 grizzlies once roamed the western U.S., and they’ve always played an important role in the ecosystem. For example, they keep the numbers of other animals, like elk, from getting out of control.

But in the 1800s, settlers began building houses and farms on the land where the grizzlies lived. This eliminated much of the bears’ habitat. Ranchers also shot the bears to protect their sheep and cattle. Others killed them to protect their property or for sport.

The grizzly population in the contiguous U.S. began to dwindle. By the 1970s, there were fewer than 140 grizzlies in the Yellowstone area.

As many as 50,000 grizzlies once roamed the western U.S. They’ve always played an important role in the ecosystem. For example, they keep the numbers of other animals, like elk, from getting out of control.

But in the 1800s, settlers began building houses and farms where the grizzlies lived. This did away with much of the bears’ habitat. Ranchers also shot the bears to protect their sheep and cattle. Others killed them to protect their property or for sport.

The grizzly population in the contiguous U.S. began to drop. By the 1970s, there were fewer than 140 grizzlies in the Yellowstone area. 

Bouncing Back

To save the bears, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) added them to the endangered species list in 1975. The list is part of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), which was put in place to protect animals in danger of becoming extinct. It’s illegal to kill or harm endangered animals, or to disturb their habitats. With the protection of the ESA, the Yellowstone grizzly population bounced back to about 700.

In 2007, the FWS removed grizzlies from the endangered species list. The FWS considers the bears a conservation success story. After all, it says, the goal is not to keep an animal on the list forever. It aims to help a species recover until it no longer needs protection.

To save the bears, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) added them to the endangered species list in 1975. The list is part of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The law was put in place to protect animals in danger of becoming extinct. It’s illegal to kill or harm animals on the list. It’s also illegal to disturb their habitats. With the help of the ESA, the Yellowstone grizzly population bounced back to about 700.

In 2007, the FWS removed grizzlies from the list. The FWS says the bears are a conservation success story. The group points out that the goal is not to keep an animal on the list forever. It aims to help a species until it no longer needs protection.

Not Out of the Woods

But for more than a decade, conservation groups have been fighting that decision. In July, they got a win—a court ruled to keep Yellowstone’s grizzlies on the endangered species list. Like all wildlife, grizzlies are protected inside the national park. It’s what happens outside Yellowstone that has some groups concerned. Without the protection of the ESA, bears could be legally hunted if they wander out of the park.

Sarah McMillan works for WildEarth Guardians, one of the groups that faced the FWS in court. She notes that many scientists say the bears should not be taken off the list until there are between 5,000 and 10,000 of them.

“It’s not that we just want grizzlies on the list,” McMillan says. “I’d like to see them taken off, but only when they have truly recovered.”

But conservation groups have been fighting that decision for years. In July, they got a win. A court ruled to keep Yellowstone’s grizzlies on the list. Like all wildlife, grizzlies are protected inside the national park. It’s what happens outside Yellowstone that has some concerned. Without the protection of the ESA, bears could be legally hunted if they wander out of the park.

Sarah McMillan works for WildEarth Guardians. That’s one of the groups that faced the FWS in court. She notes that many scientists say the bears aren’t truly safe until there are between 5,000 and 10,000 of them.

“It’s not that we just want grizzlies on the list,” McMillan says. “I’d like to see them taken off, but only when they have truly recovered.”

Creature Comebacks

Here are two of many species that bounced back after being protected by the Endangered Species Act.

Bald Eagle

FloridaStock/Shutterstock.com

Why It Was Endangered: A chemical insect killer called DDT, which is harmful to eagles, was widely used.

Removed From the List: 2007

Population Today: An estimated 16,000 pairs

Why It Was Endangered: A chemical insect killer called DDT, which is harmful to eagles, was widely used.

Removed From the List: 2007

Population Today: An estimated 16,000 pairs

American Alligator

Heiko Kiera/Shutterstock.com

Why It Was Endangered: Gators were hunted for their skin, which people used to make belts and handbags. People also ate gator meat.

Removed From the List: 1987

Population Today: Millions in the southeastern U.S.

Why It Was Endangered: Gators were hunted for their skin, which people used to make belts and handbags. People also ate gator meat.

Removed From the List: 1987

Population Today: Millions in the southeastern U.S.

Creature Comebacks

Here are two of many species that bounced back after being protected by the Endangered Species Act.

Bald Eagle

FloridaStock/Shutterstock.com

Why It Was Endangered: A chemical insect killer called DDT, which is harmful to eagles, was widely used.

Removed From the List: 2007

Population Today: An estimated 16,000 pairs

Why It Was Endangered: A chemical insect killer called DDT, which is harmful to eagles, was widely used.

Removed From the List: 2007

Population Today: An estimated 16,000 pairs

American Alligator

Heiko Kiera/Shutterstock.com

Why It Was Endangered: Gators were hunted for their skin, which people used to make belts and handbags. People also ate gator meat.

Removed From the List: 1987

Population Today: Millions in the southeastern U.S.

Why It Was Endangered: Gators were hunted for their skin, which people used to make belts and handbags. People also ate gator meat.

Removed From the List: 1987

Population Today: Millions in the southeastern U.S.

1. Why did the grizzly bear population begin to decrease in the 1800s?

2. Describe the current debate over grizzly bears.

3. Based on the sidebar, how is the American alligator’s story similar to the grizzly bear’s story?

1. Why did the grizzly bear population begin to decrease in the 1800s?

2. Describe the current debate over grizzly bears.

3. Based on the sidebar, how is the American alligator’s story similar to the grizzly bear’s story?

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