As grizzly bears expand their range to places they’ve not been in centuries, wildlife managers are getting closer to delisting the species in northwest Montana.
An estimated 1,000 grizzlies live within the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem which stretches from the Canadian border and follows the Northern Rockies to east of Missoula. It covers more than 42,000 square miles and includes Glacier National Park, five national forests and four wilderness areas.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is in the midst of establishing recovery goals and evaluating threats to the species. Once finished, that information will be released for public comment.
Several environmental groups are already threatening to file suit.
(Photo source: National Park Service)