Montana reduced grizzly bear death reports, sparking concern over transparency.

Montana’s Fish, Wildlife & Parks has reduced and simplified its public reporting on grizzly bear deaths, issuing about two-thirds fewer press releases in 2025 compared to last year, even as bear fatalities remain steady. Under new director Christy Clark, a rancher with no wildlife biology background, the agency is minimizing details like bear age, collaring, or cub presence, focusing instead on landowner concerns amid federal delisting discussions. Critics, including biologist Chris Servheen, warn the reduced transparency may hinder conflict prevention, while FWP says the shift supports coexistence efforts in rural communities.