Grizzly bears living in and around Yellowstone National Park face the possibility of leaving the endangered species list, which at face value would seem like a positive sign. Grizzly bear advocates, however, believe the species is still at risk, according to eNews Park Forest.

"This highly political proposal comes when the best evidence on the ground suggests the bears are facing significant threats," said Louisa Willcox, a grizzly bear conservation advocate with the Center for Biological Diversity. "The push to drop protection is being driven by states hostile to large carnivores. But these bears have the lowest reproductive rate of any North American mammal. Hunting and other causes of death are certain to reverse the progress that's been made toward recovery."

A panel of wildlife experts unanimously voted to change the status of grizzly bears, according to The Guardian. A final decision will be announced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services in the next thirty days; official delisting could happen sometime in 2014.

According to Park Forest, the decision was supported by recent research asserting that the decline of whitebark pine -- a source of food for grizzlies -- was not affecting populations. Four years ago, Yellowstone grizzlies actually retained their endangered status (protected since 1975) because of declining whitebark pine reports. Park Forest's article seemed to concede to the latest research, but pointed to a declining elk population -- also a grizzly bear food source -- as other proof that the bears are still at risk.

A recent summary of Yellowstone's "2013 Natural Resource Vital Signs" by Yellowstone Gate, however, contradicted both of Park Forest's contentions.

"The latest Vital Signs report shows that the greater Yellowstone area may have reached its carrying capacity for grizzly bears, while elk numbers in the park's northern range may be stabilizing after a decline," Yellowstone Gate wrote.

About 700 Grizzlies currently live in Yellowstone, according to several reports. Losing their status as endangered gives states complete control of their governance and also allows for limited hunting.