They were placed on the federal endangered species list in 1967. (fs.usda.gov)
And gray whales were recently removed from the federal endangered species list. (articles.latimes.com)
More info: International Union for Conservation of Nature Endangered Species 6 Ways to See Endangered Species Without Endangering Them More Yellowstone Grizzlies Back on Endangered Species List 7 Weird Endangered Species Only a Mother Could Love (treehugger.com)