Grizzly bears get new boundaries, but stay on the threatened species list

The US Fish and Wildlife Service proposes to clarify the geographic areas where grizzly bears are protected as a threatened species. This means the agency will explicitly define the habitat where bears currently live or are likely to live as their populations recover.

For decades, the exact boundaries of grizzly bear protection have been a source of legal and political conflict. By drawing clear lines, the agency aims to reduce ambiguity for land managers, developers, and conservation groups. This could streamline conservation efforts and development projects in areas outside the defined habitat.