The first grizzly bear hunt in Wyoming for over 40 years ignores the questionable conservation status and emotional capacities of these iconic animals, says Marc Bekoff

There is a risk of “collateral damage” Image courtesy of Thomas Mangelsen / www.mangelsen.com

Some people enjoy killing other animals for recreation. In the latest example, 21 of more than 7000 applicants who entered a lottery for a permit will soon be allowed to kill grizzly bears near Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks in Wyoming. It is the result of these magnificent carnivores no longer being protected by the Endangered Species Act.

Many bear biologists and others familiar with the bears’ behaviour, ecology, reproductive physiology and population dynamics are extremely wary about the hunt, even if not all …