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Grizzly bear growth brings positives and challenges to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Posted at 3:55 PM, Apr 05, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-05 13:57:58-04

BOZEMAN, Mont. – Grizzly bears populations are increasing across the greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The public was invited to a meeting in Bozeman Thursday to discuss just that.

The meeting included representatives from state, county, and land management agencies from Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Most saw high growth as a positive for grizzly bear recovery efforts.

However, the growth also presents a challenge for livestock owners and the public who may not know how to interact with bears. Montana Fish Wildlife in Parks Chief of operations Mike Voleski says that education is the key to the future.

“From landowners, livestock producers, hunters, and other folks in the outdoors and being just bear aware, then the general public as well because bears are showing in places they haven’t been in many decades,” Voleski said.

The next meeting about the Grizzlies will be held in Cody, Wyoming in October.