EDITORIAL: Grizzlies recovered, federal protections should be removed

Posted 10/1/15

More than 20 grizzlies have been relocated throughout northwest Wyoming so far this year, compared to 16 all of last year. Two adult male grizzlies were added to the count last week; the bears were moved to an area about 15 miles northwest of …

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EDITORIAL: Grizzlies recovered, federal protections should be removed

Posted

Thumbs down to the increase in grizzly bear relocations this fall.

More than 20 grizzlies have been relocated throughout northwest Wyoming so far this year, compared to 16 all of last year. Two adult male grizzlies were added to the count last week; the bears were moved to an area about 15 miles northwest of Crandall after killing livestock near Pinedale.

Oftentimes, it seems like a merry-go-round of bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem as problem grizzlies get moved from one wilderness area to another.

When it comes to managing grizzly bears, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department has limited options.

Even though the grizzly population has rebounded significantly over the past few decades, the animal is still considered threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

According to some estimates, as many as 1,000 grizzlies roam the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. With increased numbers, the bears are running out of suitable habitat.

“We’re packing more sardines in the same can,” said Frank van Manen, Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team leader, last spring.

That team and the Yellowstone Ecosystem Subcommittee recommended that grizzlies be removed from threatened status in 2013. Yet federal protections — largely based on politics rather than science — still remain in place.

Gov. Matt Mead said the state has surpassed federal population goals for grizzly bears. 

During a U.S. Senate committee meeting with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Tuesday, Mead said it’s important to have a balance in wildlife. 

“When you have over-population of grizzly bears or wolves, it hurts your moose, it hurts your elk, it hurts your livestock,” Mead said.

It also hurts bears.

“The grizzly bear deaths that we’re experiencing have increased dramatically over the last five or six years because of the conflict (due to) the number of grizzly bears,” Mead said.

During the Tuesday meeting, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Director Dan Ashe said another attempt to delist grizzlies is in the works.

“We’re literally on the precipice of another proposal to delist the species; I think we’ll be successful,” Ashe said.

For those of us in Wyoming, it’s clear that grizzly bears are thriving and federal protections should be removed.

Thumbs up to the continuation of pink lights downtown as a reminder of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Over the years, the pink lights have served as a special reminder of many beloved women — mothers, sisters, daughters, neighbors and friends — who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

We’re thankful that Northwest Wyoming Family Planning and Wyoming Cancer Resource Services are continuing the pink lights campaign after Women’s Wellness closed its office last year. 

Throughout October, strands of pink lights will shine in downtown Powell and Cody as part of the Lights of Hope campaign. Lights will be dedicated in honor of breast cancer survivors and in memory of those who died of the terrible disease.

Proceeds raised from the local campaign will go toward helping local patients with medical care, whether it’s a mammogram, a follow-up screening or other health care services.

Thirty years since National Breast Cancer Awareness Month first started in 1985, the message of early detection is just as important.

Thumbs up to 4-H, the largest non-school youth organization Wyoming. 

October 4-10 marks National 4-H Week, and it’s a good time to recognize the value of 4-H in our community.

Over the decades, thousands of young people have participated in 4-H programs in Park County, learning about farming, nutrition, sewing, art, hunting and more.

But we know lessons extend beyond those subject areas. Through 4-H, kids learn important values, such as responsibility, a strong work ethic, resilience and dedication. They also learn public speaking skills, the importance of being organized and how to present themselves and their work — skills imperitive to their future careers, no matter what field they choose.

We see the result of 4-H youth’s hard work at the Park County Fair each summer, but they’re busy with projects and activities all throughout the year. 

For those interested in joining 4-H, an open house will take place from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday at the Park County Fairgrounds. The organization is open to all youth ages 8-18, not just those who live on a farm or ranch.

The program has expanded beyond agricultural projects to include everything from physics and robotics to photography and rockets.

This year’s National 4-H Week theme is “4-H Grows Here.” From the South Fork to Heart Mountain to the Willwood, that’s evident in Park County, and we’re proud of the many accomplishments of 4-H youth.

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