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Ancient methods may get grizzlies off ESA

Ancient methods may get grizzlies off ESA

Thom Bridge, Helena Independent Record
Dec 19, 2023
Dec 19, 2023 Updated Oct 13, 2025
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7 min to read

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on the job with his airedale terrier named Gum

Wesley Sarmento, prairie bear specialist for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, on the job with his airedale terrier named Gum in September 2023. Sarmento prefers to have a dog with him while working around bear attractants.

THOM BRIDGE, Independent Record

Range rider Sigrid Olson

Range rider Sigrid Olson rides her horse Jake on public land in search of cattle outside Potomac, Mont., in October 2023.

THOM BRIDGE, Independent Record

Sigrid Olson keeps a small digital camera

Range rider Sigrid Olson keeps a small digital camera around her wrist while she rides so can document any signs of predators to share with the producers and wildlife agencies she rides for.

THOM BRIDGE, Independent Record

A pair of adolescent grizzly bears hang around grain bins

A pair of adolescent grizzly bears hang around grain bins in search of spilled grain on a ranch outside Conrad, Mont., in June 2021.

Photo Courtesy of Wesley Sarmento/Montana FWP

electric fencing around a county-run solid waste disposal

Wesley Sarmento, prairie bear specialist for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, checks the electric fencing around a county-run solid waste disposal site outside Valier, Mont., in September 2023.

THOM BRIDGE, Independent Record

Henry and Jennie Becker, pet Zia,

Henry and Jennie Becker, pet Zia, an anatolian shepherd, on the Stickleg Ranch outside Conrad, Mont., in September 2023.

THOM BRIDGE, Independent Record

Trapped prairie grizzly bears

Wesley Sarmento, prairie bear specialist for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, left, along with other FWP biologist and game wardens work up a pair of trapped adolescent grizzly bears in July 2023.

Photo Courtesy of Wesley Sarmento/Montana FWP

Thom Bridge, Helena Independent Record

Editor's note: This story is part of ',' a series that examines the past, present and future of the Endangered Species Act. Often called the "pit bull of environmental laws," the ESA has provided federal protection to nearly聽 2,000 animals and plants. On its 50th anniversary, it grapples with political uncertainty and unforeseen ecological challenges.

Listen: Endangered Species Act turns 50 and Montana has been the battleground

Listen: Endangered Species Act turns 50 and Montana has been the battleground

Montana Untamed:聽Often called 鈥渢he pit-bull of environmental statutes,鈥� the ESA has given federal protection to nearly 2,000 animals and plants.

Gary Burnett — Gary Burnett, executive director of the Heart of the Rockies Initiative
Courtesy of Heart of the Rockies Initiative

See which species are endangered in the U.S.

See which species are endangered in the U.S.

Explore which species in your state have made the endangered species list.聽

ESA Endangered Species Act 1973 - 2023

Denny Iverson — Denny Iverson has been raising cattle and working land shared by grizzlies since the 1970鈥檚 when his father moved the family out to the Blackfoot Valley from Minnesota.
Courtesy of Heart of the Rockies Initiative

Thom Bridge can be reached at Thom.bridge@helenair.com

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