There's a move in the Wyoming Senate to relocate trapped grizzly bears from the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem to California/NPS, Jim Peaco
April Fool's Day is still a couple months off, but a measure adopted in the Wyoming Senate the other week to send trapped grizzly bears to California does make one wonder how serious the chamber is.
Earlier in my career I spent nine years covering the Wyoming Legislature, and every now and then an oddball measure would surface. This amendment, introduced by state Sen. Larry Hicks, fits that description. Hicks views his proposal as a way to deal with troublesome grizzly bears that otherwise would be euthanized.
Grizzly bears are trapped and relocated in Wyoming and in some cases are euthanized for livestock depredation, property damage or endangerment of human life. If it determines under the laws of the state of Wyoming that extraterritorial relocation would be beneficial for managing Wyoming's wildlife and protecting Wyoming workers and other citizens and tourists of the state, the game and fish commission may relocate to the state of California all grizzly bears trapped for relocation or that would otherwise be euthanized.
The amendment was tacked onto a Senate bill that authorizes the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission to establish a hunting season for grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, which includes Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. Whether it makes it through the legislative session and is signed into law by the governor remains to be seen. Of course, the bill, if enacted, could run into conflict with the bear's current status as threatened with extinction in the ecosystem.
Last September grizzly bears that roam the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem regained protection from hunters under the Endangered Species Act due to a judge's ruling that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service did not adequately consider how delisting the bears would impact the species as a whole. That ruling brought a halt to planned grizzly bear hunts in Wyoming and Idaho.
How did Hicks settle on California for the bears' destination? The bear on that state's flag.
“I think it’s only fitting and right that we help our friends out to the West to help restore their state emblem,” Hicks said in a Jackson Hole News and Guide story. “This is the first step in getting there.”
Comments
EC, I'm not sure there ever has been a listed grizzly bear trapped and relocated to another state. Regardless, I was just pointing out that it's not as easy as it sounds. You can either agree with my point or explain why it's not. Saying you don't have the answer doesn't make my points disappear.
I already explained why I don't agree. Bears, have been relocated frequently. I don't see why a grizzly would be any different in how it was accomplished. And apparently relocation of grizzlies in Wyoming is not unheard of. https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/PDF/Wildlife/2017_Relocation_Rep...
wild - except they died. Seems there is a much more successful history on Grizzly relocations.
Not a grizzly but given wolves were transferred from MN to Isle Royale I would assume the same or very similar legal issues. That said, I'm more in favor of allowing hunting. More cost effective and would also help reinstill a healthy fear of man. It may result in less bear viewing opportunities but i doubt that would impact park visitation. Even if it idid, the parks could use a few less visitors anyway.
Karla, incredible comment! I live in Montana and have my whole life! Grizzly mailings are a normal problem on this side of the mountain anymore also. Growing up nobody ever worried about protection or grizzly attacks but now we carry pistols AND bear spray! It's Damn time that someone finally come up with a solution though! Let's start sending some of these damned bears to the people who think they look good in OUR back yards and let them deal with getting chewed on while out hiking!
Would just like to say that the Grizzlies belong there. Like sharks in the ocean, they were here first. If you dont like bears and wolves, move out of their habitat.
I don't specifically have an issue with grizzly bears being brought back to California. They were an important part of the ecosystem once upon a time and I believe it would be good to have them back. I would have an issue if the desire is to trap and relocate "problem bears". This sounds very much like the way social service agencies in red states have decided to buy one-way bus tickets to California for the homeless and/or mentally ill.
Now I would have no issue if they could perhaps do this as a trade of grizzly bears that haven't proven to be an issue. We'll gladly accept them in exchange for a few Yosemite/Tahoe/SEKI black bears. I'm sure in Wyoming they'd love to have them teach (by example) other bears how to peel open car doors and perhaps how to break into occupied homes.
that , sir , was THE perfect comment ! Love it , lol!