Yellowstone Grizzly bear placed back on Endangered Species List

One of Greater Yellowstones most famous residents the Grizzly bear will remain on the "Threatened List" of the Endangered Species Act. The appellate court decision was handed down on November 22.

Defenders.org reports that Grizzly bears were taken off the endangered list back in 2007 after the Fish and Wildlife Service determined that Yellowstone's ecosystem was healthy enough to place the grizzly bear in the state management plan. The Grizzly was removed from the the list from 2007 hrough 2009. Throughout that time period conservation groups sued stating tht the rapid decline of Whitebark pine, a major food source for the bear was not taken into consideration.

The Whitebark pine was being devastated in the region by a beetle infestation. Scientists speculate that Global warming is the cause of the rapid liss of Whitebark pine because warmer temperatures have allowed the beetles to attack trees in high altitude areas where the trees produce pine nuts. Pine nuts are a essential food source for the grizzly. Pine nuts aid the Grizzly in adding necessary fat before hibernation.

The ruling to restore the Grizzly bear to the endangered list was handed down by a three judge panel.