Grizzly bears are a significant part of Wyoming’s wildlife, primarily found in specific regions. Understanding their presence and natural behaviors is important for both residents and visitors sharing their habitat.
Grizzly Bear Habitats in Wyoming
Grizzly bears are primarily found in northwestern Wyoming, particularly within the vast Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). This ecosystem encompasses Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and surrounding national forests like the Bridger-Teton and Shoshone National Forests. Grizzlies also extend their range into areas like the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness and have expanded into the southern Wind River Range. These bears inhabit a variety of terrains, including dense forests, open meadows, and riparian areas.
Understanding Grizzly Bear Conservation
Grizzly bears in Wyoming are currently listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This designation reflects ongoing efforts to manage and recover their populations after severe declines in the 19th and 20th centuries. Federal agencies, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and state agencies, including the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD), collaborate to monitor and manage these populations.
The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem’s grizzly population has significantly increased, with estimates exceeding 1,000 bears in 2023, and their occupied habitat has expanded. Despite this recovery, challenges like human-bear conflicts and habitat fragmentation remain, influencing management decisions. Wyoming has sought to have grizzly bears delisted from federal protection, arguing recovery criteria have been met, but the USFWS has maintained their threatened status.
Staying Safe in Bear Country
Navigating areas inhabited by grizzly bears requires awareness and preparation to minimize risks. Carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it is a recommended safety measure, as it has proven highly effective in deterring aggressive bears. When hiking, making noise helps avoid surprising a bear, allowing them to move away from your path. Proper food storage is also essential, ensuring all attractants like food and garbage are secured to prevent bears from associating humans with food.
If an encounter occurs, remaining calm is important. For a grizzly bear, if it charges and makes contact, play dead by lying flat on your stomach, clasping your hands behind your neck, and spreading your legs to make it harder for the bear to turn you over. Conversely, if attacked by a black bear, fighting back vigorously is advised. Never run from a bear, as they can outrun humans and may trigger a chase response.
Identifying Grizzlies from Other Bears
Distinguishing grizzly bears from black bears, which also inhabit Wyoming, is important for safety and understanding their behavior. While color is not a reliable indicator (both species can range from black to blonde), several physical characteristics help differentiate them.
Grizzlies typically have a prominent shoulder hump between their front shoulders, which black bears lack. Their facial profile is often described as “dished” or concave, contrasting with the straighter profile of a black bear. Grizzlies also possess smaller, more rounded ears compared to the larger, more pointed ears of black bears. Their front claws are noticeably longer and less curved (typically 2 to 4 inches), adapted for digging, whereas black bear claws are shorter and more curved, suitable for climbing trees. The rump of a grizzly bear is generally lower than its shoulders, while a black bear’s rump is often higher than its shoulders.