U.S. Plans to End the Protection of Grizzlies Around Yellowstone

The Interior Department said Tuesday that it intended to remove grizzly bears around Yellowstone National Park from the protection of the Endangered Species Act, calling the steady growth of the grizzly population a rare success in using the law.

In the 30 years since the grizzly was listed as a threatened species, the department says, the Yellowstone grizzly population has increased from about 320 animals to an estimated 600.

Interior Secretary Gale A. Norton said the effort had succeeded because of cooperation between state and federal governments, along with biologists and conservation groups. She added that the Bush administration would like to see the law changed to be more friendly to landowners who find endangered species on their land.

The National Wildlife Federation supports ending the protections, saying it would highlight the success of the law. The Natural Resources Defense Council, the Sierra Club and other groups contend the grizzly should stay on the list because too many threats to the animal still exist.