Grizzly bears, once widespread across North America, now have a significantly more limited distribution. Their current locations reflect a journey of historical change and ongoing conservation efforts.
Current Grizzly Bear Habitats
Grizzly bears in the contiguous United States currently reside in isolated populations across four states: Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Washington. The largest populations are found within designated recovery zones in the Northern Rocky Mountains. These include the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, spanning parts of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, and the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem primarily in Montana.
Montana hosts a significant number of grizzlies, particularly in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem, which includes Glacier National Park, and the Montana portion of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Wyoming’s grizzly bears are concentrated in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, with a substantial portion residing in Yellowstone National Park. Idaho’s populations are smaller, found in the Selkirk Mountains in the northern panhandle and the Cabinet-Yaak Ecosystem. Washington state has a very small population within the North Cascades Ecosystem.
From Widespread to Restricted: A Historical Perspective
Historically, grizzly bears occupied a vast range across the western half of the contiguous United States, extending from the Pacific Coast to the Great Plains and from Canada down to Mexico. Before 1800, an estimated 50,000 grizzly bears lived in portions of 18 western states. This widespread presence changed dramatically with westward expansion and European settlement in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The decline was due to habitat loss as land was converted for agriculture and industry, direct killing through hunting and poisoning, and conflicts with livestock. By the 1930s, grizzly bears were reduced to 2% of their former range in the lower 48 states. By 1975, their numbers had plummeted to 700 to 800 individuals in the contiguous states, leading to their listing as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act that year.
Grizzly Bear Conservation Efforts
Grizzly bear conservation involves a collaborative approach by federal and state agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Efforts focus on monitoring population trends, managing human-bear interactions, and enhancing habitat. The USFWS developed a recovery plan in 1993, identifying specific recovery zones.
Agencies work to minimize conflicts by promoting secure food storage and educating the public on living in bear country. They also strive to improve habitat connectivity, allowing bears to move between isolated populations and promoting genetic diversity. These programs aim to foster healthy, self-sustaining grizzly bear populations.