Grizzly Bears:

Recovered or Recovering

Gabe Sautter
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Table of Contents
Abstract..................................................................................................................................3
Background of Grizzly Endangerment......................................................................................3
Grizzlies Face the End of Their Protection................................................................................4
Grizzlies Officially Delisted.................................................................................................................4
Community Concern..........................................................................................................................5
How to Save the Grizzlies........................................................................................................5
Benefits of Relocation.............................................................................................................6
Returning Grizzlies to Lost Habitats....................................................................................................6
The Lands are Already Protected........................................................................................................6
Protected Lands Have no Residences.................................................................................................7
Conclusion...............................................................................................................................7
References..............................................................................................................................8
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.Introduction......................................................................3
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.About the Grizzly..............................................................3
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.Grizzlies Become Endangered............................................4
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.Where Are They Now........................................................5
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.What the People Think......................................................6
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.Should Protection Remain.................................................6
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.References........................................................................7
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Figure 1 Grizzly bear on the water’s Edge

Introduction

So, you were finally able to take that trip to Yellowstone National Park you’ve always
dreamed of. You hiked, camped, and now you decide to do some fly fishing. You haven’t been
fishing long when you look across to the opposite bank and see a large brown mass moving
about. It doesn’t take you long to realize, you are staring down a North American grizzly bear.

About the GrizzlyAbstract

The grizzly bear is one of two subspecies of brown bear. Grizzly bears can grow
to be quite large with females weighing up to 800 pounds with males weighing up to almost
1,700 pounds and standing anywhere from 5-8 feet tall (National Wildlife Federation). These
truly massive creatures are known for their dished shaped faces, short, rounded ears and large
shoulder hump. Grizzlies are often considered a keystone species. They help to regulate the
population of the animals they prey on as well as dispersing seed and berries through their
feces. All of these things help to keep the ecosystem thriving.
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The grizzly bear used to be able to be found as far south as Mexico. The lands they
inhabited stretch from the Alaskan frontier, through the Yukon and the Great Plains, reaching
as far south as the Rio Grande (National Wildlife Federation). In the early 19th century, there
were as many as 100,000 grizzly bears roaming throughout North America (Lockwood Animal
Rescue Center). The presence of these bears across the Great Plains made them very connected
to the Native America, with the bear holding a prominent place in their culture. Bears were
seen as symbols of wisdom, guardians and healers, and they were often tied to healing and
medicine (Native Hope). Grizzly bears have for a long time held a place of important for the
environment and culture.The Grizzly bear is a mighty species that has been endanger of
extinction for the better part of a century. At one point at time there were as many as 100,00
grizzly bears roaming across our country (Lockwood Animal Rescue). However, when they were
added to the Endangered Species List on July 28, 1975, there was as few as 1,000 remaining
(Mott). Now the recovering species is in danger of losing its federal protection, as states push to
delist these proud animals. However, there are alternative ways to satisfy these states without
threating the safety of the mighty grizzly bear.

Grizzlies BecomeBackground of Grizzly Endangermented

Grizzly bears once roamed free in North America, but the current population is nothing
compared to what it used to be. The grizzly bear population has fallen prey to the advancement
of society. Clearing of their habitats to create farmland, road construction, hunting, trapping,
and poaching have all wreaked havoc on the population. Grizzles that once roamed over half
the country can now only been found in small pockets, mainly in Yellowstone and Glacier
National Parks (National Wildlife Federation). By the time the Endangered Species Act was in
implemented in 1975, fewer than 1,000 grizzlies remained in the lower 48 states. Grizzly Bears
were officially added to the endangered species list on July 28, 1975, this made it illegal to kill,
capture, or harm any grizzly bears (Mott). In September 1993, in an effort to further help the
rebound of the grizzly population, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service formalized six
specific recovery zones for grizzly bears in the Pacific North West. These areas were chosen
because they provided six different ecosystems suitable for grizzlies. They are the Greater
Yellowstone Ecosystem, the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem, the Bitterroot Ecosystem,
the North Cascade Ecosystem, the Selkirk Ecosystem, and the Cabinet-Yaak Ecosystem (Mott).

Where Are They NowGrizzlies Face the End of Their Protection

Since they were added to the Endangered Species list in 1975, the grizzly bear
population in the lower 48 states has nearly doubled, with an estimated population of nearly
1,800 bears spread out between Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Washington (Murray). This a
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near remarkable recovery for a species that not too long ago was on the verge of extinction in
the continental United States. The road to grizzly bear recovery has not been a smooth one.
Government killing conservation efforts, states pushing for delisting, and the concern of local
farmers and ranchers all threaten their return.

The First Road Block.

The road to grizzly bear recovery has not been a smooth one. There was an effort in the
early 2000s to open a corridor that would connect the Canadian Yukon to Yellowstone National
Park (Bieder). This would have encouraged the freer movement of grizzles between the Yukon,
and their old home ranges in Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. This plan was blocked however by
the George W. Bush Administration. The administration did this because local ranchers and
farmers fired for their livestock (Bieder). This corridor would have helped expand the genetic
diversity of the grizzly bear population in the lower 48 states. This is important for the survival
of the returning grizzly population because they are isolated from the larger population
meaning they are reproducing from a limited gene pool. This limited gene pool will eventually
start to take a toll on the health and sustainability of the species and could make it to where
the lower 48 grizzles would be unable to reproduce with the rest of the species.

Grizzlies Officially Delisted

This is not the only obstacle that has faced the recovery of the grizzly bear population.
As early as 2005, the Fish and Wildlife Service proposed delisting the Yellow Stone- Area Bears.
They believed that because the population had risen to 600 bears, from 300 hundred when
they were listed, that the grizzlies in the Yellowstone area had recovered. In the Spring of 2007,
the organization officially delisted the bears (Mott). Conservation groups and local tribes quickly
filed lawsuits to reverse this action. It was not until 2009 when a U.S. 9 th Circuit Court of
Appeals Judge reversed the decision and restored federal protections to the grizzly bears
(Mott). The species would remain listed until 2017 when the Fish and Wildlife Service once
again announced that the yellow stone grizzlies were being delisted. This delisting was met with
similar backlash as the first.

Almost a year after the species was removed from the endangered species list for a
second time, the states of Idaho and Wyoming finalized a Grizzly hunt. Between the two hunts,
up to 23 bears could be taken (Mott). This hunt would later be postponed by order of a federal
judge so that she could hear arguments from environmental and tribal groups. The Grizzlies
were once again returned to the Endangered Species List in September of 2018. This officially
put an end to the Idaho and Wyoming hunts (Mott).
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Community Concern

What the People Think

The farming and ranching communities in Montana and Idaho have been concerned
with the rising population of grizzly bears. They are concerned that the rising number of
grizzlies in their areas will start to affect their livestock. While these are logical concerns, there
have been very few incidents involving grizzly bears and livestock, especially since the livestock
is not traditionally part of the bear’s diet. Ranchers and Farmers are not the only ones who are
concerned about the return of the grizzly bears. Local residents also have their concerns about
living with grizzly bears. Residents fear for their safety if large numbers of grizzly bears return to
the area.

How to Save the Grizzlies

Figure 2 Current designated recovery zones

The main argument for the delisting of the grizzly bear stims from the increasing
number of bears is certain areas. Farmers and ranchers in Idaho and Montana are fearing for
their livestock as the grizzlies return. There is a simple solution to this issue. Relocate part of
the resurging population to more surrounding states. There are currently only six designated
recovery zones dedicated to grizzly recovery. These areas were chosen because they provided
six different ecosystems suitable for grizzlies. They are the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the
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Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem, the Bitterroot Ecosystem, the North Cascade
Ecosystem, the Selkirk Ecosystem, and the Cabinet-Yaak Ecosystem (Mott). If the Fish and
Wildlife Service add more recovery zones, then the population of grizzlies will be more
dispersed across the northwest. States like California and Colorado would provide a more than
adequate recovery zone for this species.

Benefits of Relocation
Returning Grizzlies to Lost Habitats

The grizzly bear used to be able to be found as far south as Mexico. The lands they
inhabited stretch from the Alaskan frontier, through the Yukon and the Great Plains, reaching
as far south as the Rio Grande (National Wildlife Federation). Today grizzlies only occupy a
fraction of this area. By adding more
designated recovery zones in
surrounding state, the bears will be
returning to an area that they haven’t
inhabited in nearly 100 years (Lockwood
Animal Rescue Center). The state of
California even has a grizzly bear on
their state flag, yet the state is no longer
home to any grizzly bears. This will give
the population a much greater diversity,
as they will occupy more diverse
ecosystems spread out across a
multitude of areas.
Figure 3 Current versus historic land occupied by grizzly bears
The Lands are Already Protected

California has more protected

wilderness areas than any other state.
California has 153 protected wilderness areas across their state (Wilderness Connect). With
that much protected land, that means there is more than enough land to host a small
recovering grizzly bear population. Colorado is another possible host state for grizzly bears.
Colorado has protected conservation land that is comprised of nearly 1 million acres
(www.blm.gov). Relocating grizzly bears to either of these states would not require the addition
of any new federally protected land. If the land is already dedicated to wildlife conservation, it
would be simple to relocate some of the recovering species to these areas.
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Protected Lands Have no Residences

In federally protected wildlife conservation lands, there are no residents. Since it is the local
residence pressuring states to move to delist the grizzly bears, moving part of the population to
an area away from people mean there is no concern for personal safety. If the growing grizzly
population is dispersed to new areas that means they are less likely to interfere with local
livestock. Since there are no farms or ranches in the national parks that will serve as new
recovery zone, then the grizzlies will have plenty of land to roam before coming close enough to
raise concern. Without the pressure from farmers and ranchers, then states will not be as
pressed to push for delisting.

Should Protection RemainConclusion

There are plenty of people and organizations lobbying for the removal of grizzly bears
from the endangered species list. While the population has doubled since they have been under
federal protection, most of the population is located in two of the six designated ecosystems.
The Northern Continental Divide and Greater Yellowstone Ecosystems both have populations of
over 700 grizzlies, while the other four have less than 100 in each (Mott). As the population
continues to grow in these areas, states will continue to push to delist the grizzly Liftingbears.
Lifting federal protection from one of these areas could have serious implications on the
survival of the species. Beyond this, the grizzlies still only occupy a tiny fraction of the area that
they used to. While the species population has double, it is nowhere close to the 50,000 that
there once was. While the species might not be as close to extinction, this species has far from
recovered. To avoid risking the survival of this species, a new plan must be implemented. The
relocation of part of the species to existing protected federal lands in surrounding states will
help to ease the mind of farmers, ranchers, and state law makers alike. This is who we save the
grizzly bears, so that they can be admired for generations to come.
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References
Bieder, Robert E. Bear. Reaktion Books, 2005. 

Derych, John. “Brown / Grizzly Bear Facts.” North American Bear Center, North American
Dear Center, 26 Jan. 2021, bear.org/brown-grizzly-bear-facts/. 

“Grizzly Bear.” National Wildlife Federation, The National Wildlife Federation,

www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Mammals/Grizzly-Bear. 

“Grizzly Bears.” Lockwood Animal Rescue Center, lockwoodarc.org/grizzly-bears. 

Mott, Nick, et al. “Timeline: A History Of Grizzly Bear Recovery In The Lower 48
States.” MTPR, Montana Public Radio, 14 May 2019, www.mtpr.org/post/timeline-history-
grizzly-bear-recovery-lower-48-states. 

Murray, David. “Change in Administration Won't Necessarily End Federal Efforts to Delist
Grizzly Bears Protections.” Great Falls Tribune, Great Falls Tribune, 7 Dec. 2020,
www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/2020/11/30/montana-grizzly-bear-population-grow-
near-extinction/6432036002/. 

Native American Animals: the Bear (Mato) Is a Gift to Mother Earth and Her People, Native
Hope, blog.nativehope.org/native-american-animals-bear-mato-is-a-gift-to-mother-earth-
and-her-people. 

“Programs: National Conservation Lands: Colorado: Bureau of Land Management.” Colorado |

Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of the Interior,
www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/colorado. 

Rott, Nathan. “As Grizzlies Come Back, Frustration Builds Over Continued Protections.” NPR,
NPR, 2 Feb. 2019, www.npr.org/2019/02/02/688553708/as-grizzlies-come-back-
frustration-builds-over-continued-protections. 

“Wilderness Connect.” Wilderness Connect - University Of Montana, University of Montana, 12

Aug. 2016, wilderness.net/learn-about-wilderness/fast-facts/default.php.