by Yellowstonian
Together, and against long odds, the recovery of grizzly bears and the restoration of wolves in the Northern Rockies rank among the greatest success stories in the modern history of wildlife conservation?
While both accomplishments should be rightfully celebrated, Dr. Christopher Servheen (who headed grizzly recovery for the US Fish and Wildlife Service for 35 years) and Dr. Douglas Smith (who oversaw wolf management in Yellowstone for two decades) say both species still face serious threats. From a hostile political environment to habitat loss, each expressed concerns at a pair of live two-city events co-sponsored by Yellowstonian and several conservation organizations. Will their observations be heeded as the states push to remove grizzlies from federal protection and bring back sport hunting seasons of bears. Is Wyoming listening to national outrage over it condoning the practice of allowing people to run down wolves and other animals to their deaths on snowmobiles. Will Idaho heed science or will it continue to carry out policies aimed at keeping wolf populations to their lowest levels, even if wolves are not causing serious impacts to game herds and rancher’s livestock?
Below is a recording of one event help at the historic Wilma Theater in Missoula. Enjoy. Yellowstonian, a special conservation journalism project of Artemis Institute, thanks the other co-sponsors—the Cinnabar Foundation, Montana Wildlife Federation, National Parks Conservation Association, and the Gallatin Wildlife Association.
