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Keep grizzly bears protected!

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service just proposed changes to the rules under the Endangered Species Act that protect grizzly bears.

Thanks to their Endangered Species Act protections, grizzly bears have slowly begun to recover their numbers from the devastating killing campaigns that brought them to the brink of extinction. Yet with just around 2,000 individuals left in the Lower 48, it’s critical that they retain meaningful protections if they are to survive. Critically, we must keep states with bad-as-can-be track records on bear coexistence from allowing trophy hunting. This intelligent, shy species cannot survive the inevitable carnage.

We don’t have a moment to lose if we want to save this iconic species from extinction.

TAKE ACTION

Please take a moment to contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and urge them to keep grizzly bears fully protected under the Endangered Species Act.

This action alert is for U.S. residents.

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Dear Hilary Cooley,  

I am writing to urge you to keep grizzly bears living in the Lower 48 meaningfully protected under the Endangered Species Act.  

Grizzly bears once ranged from northern Mexico to Alaska, but by the 1930s they had been nearly wiped out. It takes a female grizzly 10 years to replace herself in the population, so with just around 2,000 individuals in the Lower-48 states, it’s critical that they retain their federal Endangered Species Act protections if they are to survive. Most grizzly bear deaths are human caused, but most are preventable. If wildlife agencies instituted commonsense, mitigation measures to avoid conflicts with bears, a chance at their recovery could be possible. Future ESA protections must continue to prevent the trophy hunting of grizzly bears. And any changes to their protection made in collaboration with states must involve public input and transparency.  

A January 2025 survey shows that supermajorities of Americans, including conservatives, hunters, ranchers and those who live near grizzly bears, support their continued protection under the ESA. 

Finally, grizzly bears have significant economic value. The travel tourism industry in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming is worth billions of dollars annually. Twelve and one-half (12.5) million visitors contributed $5.8 billion to Montana’s economy alone, with the Glacier and Yellowstone national parks accounting for most of these economic infusions. In Idaho, visitors contributed $5.8 billion, and in Wyoming $5 billion to state economies. A 2025 study found that Yellowstone grizzly bears are worth $6.9 million a year. These findings highlight the strong, sustainable economic benefits of grizzly bear conservation compared with the limited and short‑term gains from trophy hunting. Wildlife tourists contribute significantly to local businesses and jobs.   

Grizzly bears have just started their slow recovery but still face serious challenges. If we remove or reduce their Endangered Species protections now, we may lose them forever. I urge you to please keep grizzly bears meaningfully protected under the Endangered Species Act.

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