The unanimous vote by the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission came less than a year after the grizzly bear population in and around Yellowstone National Park lost federal protection under the Endangered Species Act. Wyoming officials have approved the state’s first grizzly bear hunt in more than 40 years, allowing for up to 23 bears to be killed this fall. “While we don’t always agree on everything, I think we can agree the grizzly bear is a wonderful animal and we are very fortunate to have him in the state,” said commissioner Peter Dube. More than a dozen Native American tribes and activists sued the federal government in late June, arguing that lifting endangered species protections would violate tribal religious beliefs. Montana opted to forego a grizzly hunting season in February, citing ongoing litigation and other risks.

Source: Huffington Post May 23, 2018 20:24 UTC