Yellowstone grizzlies safe from hunting as judge returns them to protected list

Ruling cancels indefinitely a controversial sport hunt of grizzlies in Wyoming and Idaho

In a ruling hailed as historic for wildlife conservation in America, a US judge on Monday ordered that the world-famous grizzly bears living in and around Yellowstone national park be returned to the endangered species list.

The move means that a controversial sport hunt of grizzlies in Wyoming and Idaho - outside the boundaries of the park - will be canceled indefinitely, extending protections against hunting that have lasted 44 years.