CALL TO ACTION: Record Number of Grizzlies Are Dying

The Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team annual report for 2015 is out and it is very very bad news for the grizzly bear population of greater Yellowstone. In one single year, 11% of the population was killed - a record number blowing away the previous record by 20%. Further, significantly more females were killed than deemed sustainable. Outside the demographic monitoring area - where grizzlies might travel to connect with other populations - the mortality rate was a whopping 47%. (Source)

Despite these shocking numbers, several local newspapers are publishing agency spin that there has been a decline in grizzly deaths!

We need comments on Facebook pages and newspaper articles, emails and tweets. Please help spread the word and share this action.

TWITTER: Here is the tweet sheet.

FACEBOOK COMMENTS:

Please leave a comment on the following pages expressing your concern that grizzlies are being removed from the Endangered Species Act when their mortality rate is at all time high.

1) White House
2) USFWS
3) Natural Resources Committee - Dems
4) Raul Grijalva
5) your Senator and/or Representative (click here to find their contact information)
6) Powell Tribune Facebook Page
7) Great Falls Tribune Facebook Page
8) Star Tribune Facebook Page


NEWSPAPER COMMENTS: 

Please leave a comment on the following newspaper articles. In some cases, you will need to create an account to comment. Your comment should clarify that MORE bears are being killed this year than last year and last year broke records.

Idaho Press-Tribune
Idaho Statesman
KURL8
News Talk KGVO.com
SF Gate
Casper Star Tribune
Powell Tribune - issued a correction
Independent Record
13abc.com
WRAL.com
Tulsa World
OANow.com
Great Falls Tribune
Billings Gazette - article was taken down, DDG people left 7 comments on this article

EMAILS: 

Please email President Obama and your Senator and Representative telling him or her the following:


I am very concerned that Greater Yellowstone grizzlies are being slated for removal from the Endangered Species list. The most recent annual report from the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team demonstrates that 2015 was the deadliest year for Yellowstone area grizzlies since record keeping began. Further, the population has been stagnant or declining since 2007. Last year also saw far more females killed than is considered sustainable. Grizzlies are one of the slowest reproducing animals in North America and killing a large number of females in one year will negatively impact population growth for years to come. It seems reckless and at odds with the best available science to remove protections for Yellowstone area grizzlies at this time. Please ask the US Fish and Wildlife Service to reconsider its plan to delist Yellowstone ecosystem grizzly bears.