CALL TO ACTION: 2016 Poised for Record High Mortality

It looks like 2016 is on track to break another record - and not a good one. So far this year, Yellowstone has lost 10% of its grizzly bear population and last year, more independent females were killed than is considered sustainable.

The USGS and USFWS, however, have not acted on this information. USGS has known for approximately a year that the female mortality limits were breached in 2015 and yet they did not mention it at three committee meetings that have occurred since. Further, USGS did not share this data in the 2015 annual report that it publishes for the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team ("IGBST").

USFWS has access to this and other concerning data regarding population growth and yet it does not correct the misinformation perpetuated by the states. It is the job of USGS to collect reliable, accurate science and the job of USFWS to ensure that the delisting debate is unbiased and not let misinformation spread by states go unchallenged. Neither agency is doing its job. Let's call them on it and also spread the word on the record high mortality rates for Yellowstone grizzlies.

Please leave Facebook comments, tweet the TweetSheet, send emails and make phone calls.

TWITTER: Here is the TWEET SHEET

FACEBOOK COMMENTS: Please leave a comment on an existing post on the following pages, expressing your concern that 2016 is poised to break records on grizzly mortality. Where possible, share one of our graphics.

1) White House
2) USFWS (USFWS needs to correct misinformation and ensure the delisting conversation includes only accurate data)
3) USGS (USGS needs to share information on mortality limits and population growth)
4) Raul Grijalva
5) Interior

EMAILS: Please email President Obama, Sally Jewell,  and Dan Ashe telling him or her the following:

The Yellowstone grizzly population has not grown in many years and looks to actually be in decline. Even more concerning, mortality for grizzlies is at an all time high, with 2016 poised to break records. Further, in 2015, the female independent mortality limit was breached - yet USGS did not disclose it at committee meets or in the annual report. Equally concerning, USFWS is allowing misinformation perpetuated by the states on population growth to go unchallenged. This is not right! The process for delisting grizzlies must be free from political influence and conducted with accurate information. 

PHONE CALLS:

President Obama - 202-456-1111
Secretary Sally Jewell - 202-208-3100 
Director Dan Ashe - 202-208-4717 

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