Federal judge says Yellowstone-area grizzly bears must stay on threatened list
By APThursday, November 19, 2009
Judge keeps Yellowstone grizzly on threatened list
BILLINGS, Mont. — 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.
