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Judge: Keep Grizzlies on Threatened List
Grizzly Bears
BILLINGS – A judge says the government must keep Yellowstone-area grizzly bears on the list of threatened and endangered species, denying an attempt by federal officials to reverse an earlier court ruling.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service two years ago said grizzlies in and around Yellowstone National Park had recovered from near-extermination and no longer needed protections under the Endangered Species Act.
But in September, U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy said climate change and lax regulations threatened to undermine the bears' recovery. After Molloy ordered the animals back onto the threatened list, government attorneys asked that he reconsider, saying the bear would thrive without sweeping federal protections.
In an order Tuesday, Molloy rejected the government's argument and confirmed his earlier ruling.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service two years ago said grizzlies in and around Yellowstone National Park had recovered from near-extermination and no longer needed protections under the Endangered Species Act.
In an order Tuesday, Molloy rejected the government's argument and confirmed his earlier ruling.
Judge Malloy must be commended for knowing so much more about the bears than the people who actually study and work with them in the field. Why should we hire experts when we have judges?! Yup, sarcasm…
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