U.S. Shifts Grizzly Bear Management to States as California Mulls Reintroduction

On July 14 the U.S. Department of the Interior, led by Secretary Doug Burgum, announced a revised proposal that returns management authority for grizzly bears to western states such as Montana, Wyoming and Idaho where recovery benchmarks have been met. The rule cites the Endangered Species Act as intended and signals a step toward possible delisting of the species while aiming to balance conservation with public safety concerns.

Separately, California legislators introduced Senate Bill 1305, directing the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to assess the feasibility of reintroducing grizzly bears to the state. The bill, supported by numerous tribes, environmental groups and animal‑welfare organizations, provides no funding and faces opposition from rural communities, hunting groups and ranchers who question the suitability of the state's fire‑prone landscapes for the predator.