Advocates launch authorized motion to forestall grizzly bear deaths at bait stations

BOISE, IDAHO—Conservation organizations despatched a discover of intent to sue the State of Idaho at this time for violations of the Endangered Species Act over state looking authorizations that put grizzly bears in danger. In June, a grizzly was killed by a hunter at a black bear bait-station after being misidentified by Idaho Division of Recreation and Fish, demonstrating the pressing have to reform the apply now that grizzly bears are starting to return to Idaho on their journey to restoration.  

“Idaho is violating the Endangered Species Act when it points licenses to black bear hunters to make use of bait websites in grizzly bear habitat,” mentioned Greg LeDonne, Idaho Director of Western Watersheds Venture. “It places grizzly bears in danger not simply of being killed unintentionally when they’re mistaken for black bears, however of turning into habituated to human meals sources and being killed once they show nuisance conduct.” 

“Bear baiting takes the lives of grizzly bears within the Northern Rockies and robs the wild of those exceptional animals,” mentioned Lizzy Pennock, carnivore coexistence legal professional at WildEarth Guardians. “The State of Idaho is placing grizzly bears in unacceptable peril, compromising their prospects of restoration and resulting in tragic, preventable, unlawful, and all too predictable deaths, just like the incident we witnessed final month in Saint Maries.”

“After a long time of persecution, grizzly bears are making their approach residence throughout Idaho,” mentioned Dana Johnson, legal professional and coverage director with Wilderness Watch. “Quite than celebrating their return and doing all the pieces doable to make sure their protected passage and existence, Idaho continues to sanction the luring and killing of black bears in areas the place grizzly bears stay and journey. The current killing of a grizzly bear by a black bear hunter was tragic and fully preventable. We’re submitting this discover of intent to sue to verify it doesn’t occur once more.”

“Permitting a pile of meals or different messy attractants to be unfold out on public land sends a message counter to the ‘go away no hint’ ethic,” mentioned Jeff Juel of Pals of the Clearwater. “Bear baiting additionally strains the notion of what’s ethically ‘honest chase’ in looking,” he added.

As we speak’s Discover of Intent to Sue supplies the state 60 days wherein to treatment the scenario earlier than the teams file a lawsuit. Western Environmental Legislation Heart despatched the letter on behalf of WildEarth Guardians, Western Watersheds Venture, Wilderness Watch, and Pals of the Clearwater.    

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