CALL TO ACTION: URGENT LAST CHANCE TO STOP DELISTING

YELLOWSTONE GRIZZLIES NEED YOUR VOICE NOW MORE THAN EVER.  THIS MAY BE THE VERY LAST CALL TO ACTION BEFORE THEY'RE OFFICIALLY DELISTED FROM THE ESA.  TROPHY HUNTING IS EMMIENT.

Native News Online has learned that on June 26 Secretary Zinke is expected to announce the delisting of the grizzly bear from the Endangered Species Act (ESA).  Zinke has apparently chosen the Western Governors Association (WGA) Annual Meeting (June 26-28) in his hometown of Whitefish, Montana, to declare the grizzly delisting rule.

TALKING POINTS: CALL/EMAIL/FACEBOOK 

I do not support the delisting of Yellowstone grizzly bears.  Sec. Zinke needs to honor the mandatory pre-decision and meaningful government-to-government consultation with tribes over grizzly delisting. Members of Congress from BOTH parties have asked him to do so.

We need to see the 2016 Inter Grizzly Bear Study Report (IGBST). Over the past three years, the Yellowstone grizzly bear population has been declining, with mortality at record high rates.  Where is the report?

Have they answered the overwhelming 600,000 public comments?

CALL: 
Secretary Ryan Zinke:  202-208-7351

Laura Paramore (USFWS) - Assistant Chief, Office of Public Affairs
Office: (703) 358-2541  Cell: (703) 589-6947

Christina Meister (USFWS) - Public Affairs Specialist
Office: (703) 358-2284

Find your Senators' phone numbers HERE and your Representative's phone numbers HERE. It is best to call one of the local offices, rather than the DC office.

EMAIL: 
Secretary Ryan Zinke: feedback@ios.doi.gov
 Laury Parramore, Assistant Chief: Laury_Parramore@fws.gov
Christina Meister: Christina_Meister@fws.gov

Members of Congress: Contact forms for Senators HERE, for your representatives HERE. Write, in your own words,  You do not support the delisting of Yellowstone grizzly bears.

TWEET: .@SecretaryZinke Heed bipartisan call to meet with tribes prior to grizzly delisting! Respect tribal sovereignty. pic.twitter.com/JKUdzoUsNB

FACEBOOK COMMENTS/MESSAGES:

Secretary Zinke's Page
Department of Interior Page
USFWS Page

Where Is the 2016 IGBST Annual Report?

Every year, the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST) releases an annual report on the state of grizzly bears. "This Annual Report summarizes results of grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) monitoring and research conducted in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) by the IGBST .... The report also contains a summary of grizzly bear management actions to address conflict situations."

Reports usually come out in spring for the previous year. Given the fact a delisting decision is expected to occur very soon, it is imperative that the report be published as soon as possible. Experts need to see the latest data to determine the health of Yellowstone's grizzly population.  

Please contact Frank Van Manen of USGS, the head of the IGBST, and ask: Where Is the Annual IGBST Report for 2016? When will it be published? It is important for the public to have the opportunity to review it prior to a delisting decision.

EMAIL: fvanmanen@usgs.gov

PHONE: 406-994-5043

FAX: 406-994-6416

REGULAR MAIL: 2327 University Way, Suite 2, Bozeman, MT 59715

FACEBOOK: Comment on an existing post on USGS Facebook page. Ask when the 2016 IGBST report will be out.

TWITTER: .@USGS When will 2016 IGBST Annual Report be out? Needed ASAP to assess GYE population health prior to delisting pic.twitter.com/ghTsVnaThV

HELP NEEDED: Wyoming Grizzly with Trap on Foot

  

Adding to this action: Since we are not satisfied with the response from WGFD please contact US Fish and Wildlife Mountain Prairie Division. 

Your voice needed. A grizzly bear was spotted in Bridger-Teton National Forest near the Blackrock Ranger Station with a trap on its foot. While Wyoming Game & Fish Department is said to be looking for the bear, public pressure can help get more resources allocated to help this bear.   

Please contact the departments and communicate the following:

When are traps being put out so that the bear can be sedated and the trap on its foot removed? Why were traps not put out immediately upon learning of this incident? 

A local man has offered to hire a helicopter to search for the bear at no cost to the department. Will the department accept this help and get a helicopter in the air immediately?

Advocates are also willing to fundraise for a tracker and for veterinary care and rehabilitation for the bear. Will the department accept this help?

EMAILS:  
Wyoming Game and Fish Department
Dan Thompson, daniel.thompson@wyo.gov 
Brad Hovinga, brad.hovinga@wyo.gov
Scott Edberg, scott.edberg@wyo.gov
USFWS

Hilary Cooley, hilary_cooley@fws.gov
Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team
 Frank Van Manen, fvanmanen@usgs.gov
Mark Haroldson, mark_haroldson@usgs.gov

PHONE CALLS: 
WGFD 307-733-2321
USFWS:
Grizzly Bear Recovery Telephone: 406-243-4903
Kalispell Field Suboffice Telephone: 406-758-6868
IGBST: 
Mark Haroldson 406-994-5042
Frank Van Manen 406-994-5043


FACEBOOK: Leave a comment on an existing article on WGFD page. USFWSMountainPrairie

CLICK TO TWEET: What is being done to help Jackson region grizzly with Conifer trap on its foot? Find bear & remove trap ASAP pls pic.twitter.com/KPCl4LHT6c

.@USFWSMtnPrairie Intervention needed ASAP! Endangered species (grizzly) caught in illegal trap in Jackson region pic.twitter.com/g6KuVQxy8k