JACKSON, WYOMING – Six months after Yellowstone area grizzlies were delisted, federal and state managers say there are more grizzlies, and more bears killed in Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho. Yellowstone area grizzlies were taken off the endangered species list in April, after a multi-agency group called the Yellowstone Ecosystem Subcommittee worked to bring grizzly numbers back up.
In Jackson this week, all of the players, including the federal officials, state managers, and tribal officials came to talk about the state of the grizzly, andit’s future.” The group is now called the Yellowstone Grizzly Coordinating committee. Study Team leader Chuck Schwartz reported a high bear mortality rate this year, with 25 grizzly deaths: 22 human caused.
There were also seven people mauled in Montana, Idaho, and the parks. There were no maulings in Wyoming, outside the parks. Wyoming Game and Fish Bear Management Specialist Mark Bruscino said, “We’ve had approximately the average number of bear conflicts for the past five years. We’ve only had to catch half as many bears.”
In Idaho, grizzly attacks, and an elk ranches gut piles drew a lot of public and media attention. Idaho Fish and Game Regional Supervisor Steve Schmidt said, “A number of agencies have to work together in a collaborative fashion, with the public to effectively manage bears. That requires constant communication.”
Montana had three maulings, and one bear killed. Bear spray was used in only one of the incidents. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks manager Kevin Frey told KULR 8 bear spray is not 100% affective, but, “I would like people to have the confidence and desire to use pepper spray and use it as a tool.” Bear managers also reported this was a banner year for the Yellowstone area grizzly, with a record number of sows and cubs counted.
Chris Serveen, who recommended the grizzly be taken off the endangered species list says there are challenges ahead. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Recovery Coordinator said, “We’re having bears show up in places where they haven’t been in decades, so we have people in those places that don’t know how to live with bears. We need to bring those people up to speed with education on how to live with bears and minimize those conflicts.” Schwartz said for every grizzly death that is reported, there are probably two that are not reported.