National Parks Group Launches Visual Protest on Yellowstone Grizzly Hunt

WASHINGTON – For much of its nearly 100-year history, National Parks Conservation Association’s (NPCA) logo has prominently featured grizzly bears – until today. During National Park Week and in response to the state of Wyoming’s proposal to hunt grizzly bears that make their homes in Yellowstone and Grand Teton, the grizzlies have vanished from the national park advocacy organization’s logo.

“Grizzly bears represent the world’s first national park, Yellowstone, and have been the symbol of National Parks Conservation Association for decades,” said Craig Fontenot, Senior Vice President of Strategic Communications for National Parks Conservation Association. “It’s jolting to see our logo without the iconic grizzlies – as it would be to visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks and not see these animals.”

The vanishing grizzlies, seen at www.npca.org and featured as outlines where the bears formerly stood on NPCA’s Twitter and Facebook profiles, are a visual protest to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s grizzly hunting proposal. Wyoming has called for hunting up to 24 grizzlies this fall, including some bear baiting. Hunting would threaten grizzly bears including those that travel outside of the borders of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. For the first time since 1975, grizzlies that spend most of the year in these national parks could be the first ones shot.

Wyoming’s hunting proposal comes in response to U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s removal of Endangered Species Act protections for Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem grizzlies. The removal was finalized in July of 2017 and prompted lawsuits by National Parks Conservation Association and tribal partners and conservation organizations, for the final rule’s failure to ensure the bears’ long-term health.

“We hope we don’t reach a point where not seeing grizzlies becomes the norm – both on our logo and in our first national park,” said Fontenot. “Governor Matt Mead and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department must halt this rushed hunting proposal and instead support opportunities for visitors to continue to see grizzlies, alive and well in our national parks.”

Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. The organization has featured grizzly bears on its logo since 1959. Take action against the proposed Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem hunt at www.npca.org/grizzlies.

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About National Parks Conservation Association: Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its 1.3 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.