The US may allow grizzly bears to be hunted again in the Rocky Mountains

Three US states are preparing for the possible return of grizzly bear hunting in the Rocky Mountains for the first time in decades.

The Obama administration has proposed lifting protections for grizzlies around Yellowstone National Park.

The bears have been considered a threatened species since 1975, but wildlife officials say their population has sufficiently recovered.

Before the US Fish and Wildlife Service makes a final decision by March 2017, it is requiring Wyoming, Montana and Idaho to outline what their grizzly bear hunting seasons would look like.

The three states are co-ordinating their plans. Montana is to release an outline for its hunting regulations on Thursday.

Environmental groups say federal protections should remain until the state plans are thoroughly reviewed, and there should be a transitional period before hunting the species is considered.