When hiking a trail in the Northern Rocky Mountains, you will be advised to keep your voice loud and bear spray close. While you are far from guaranteed to see a grizzly bear saunter across your path, the chances are also not zero. The advice and odds aren’t just for the Rocky Mountains, but anywhere in grizzly country.
Grizzly bears in the lower 48 states once ranged from Canada to Mexico and from the California coast to the plains of Kansas. After facing near eradication at the hands of European settlers, today these bears are on the road to recovery in some areas. Their listing under the Endangered Species Act certainly helps, but grizzlies are still a ways away from full recovery in all recovery areas.
There are, unfortunately, some un-bear-lievable myths and misunderstandings around these animals, including how much they have recovered and how we can best live alongside grizzly bears. So, join us in digging up the truth and learning four claw-some facts about grizzly bears in the lower 48.
1. Fact: There are a little over 2,000 grizzly bears in the lower 48.
When grizzly bears were listed on the ESA in 1975, there were only a few hundred bears in less than 2% of their original range. The ESA has been effective in giving these bears a chance to make a comeback.
Grizzly bear populations have increased to a little over 2,000 bears located in four of the six recovery zones. Two recovery zones, the Bitterroot and the North Cascades, still have no viable populations of grizzly bears.
2. Fact: Grizzly bears use a wide variety of habitats.
Grizzly bears like lots of different types of habitats. They need large landscapes that provide secure habitat with plenty of food, water and shelter. While most grizzly bears reside in our vast public lands in the west, they also use private lands to live and navigate between secure core areas.
Connectivity between populations is vital to the long-term success of grizzly bears in the lower 48. It is important for communities living with grizzly bears to have resources available to help them minimize human-bear conflicts. Defenders is invested in helping bears and people find a way forward in our increasingly developed lands.
3. Fact: Grizzly Bears prefer to avoid people.
Grizzly bears are often portrayed as vicious beasts who are out to get you, but in reality, these animals mostly try to avoid people. Some grizzlies, however, become used to being near people or habituated to human activity. This does not always result in a negative outcome.
Grizzly bears can be aggressive when protecting young or a food resource. Bottom line, they are powerful animals who should be viewed at a safe distance. Mother bears raise their young for 2 to 3 years and female cubs often establish a home range adjacent to their moms. These animals have an excellent sense of smell, way better than a bloodhound. And their long claws are excellent for digging up food and flipping logs to eat juicy bugs underneath.
Grizzly bears who receive food rewards near people, like garbage and birdseed, can become food-conditioned, resulting in escalating behavior like breaking into cabins. This is largely preventable by properly securing attractants like garbage, fruit trees and birdfeeders.
4. Fact: You can help grizzly bears continue their recovery!
If you live, work or recreate in bear country you can take steps on your property to secure attractants like garbage and bring in birdfeeders when bears are active in your area. If you travel to places where there are bears, make sure you do not leave food unattended. Use a bear-resistant cooler or a provided food locker to store food while you are off exploring. Finally, everyone should know how to use and carry bear spray when in bear country.
You can also tell your members of Congress that the ESA is important, and we would have lost many species, like grizzly bears, without it. Grizzly bears are a valuable part of the American heritage and an icon of our western landscapes and deserve a chance to stay that way for future generations.
