The US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is considering a bold initiative – the reintroduction of grizzly bears to Washington's North Cascades. If implemented, this plan could mark a transformative chapter in the species' history, bringing grizzlies back to a significant portion of their ancestral territory. The proposal outlines the introduction of seven to ten bears over a span of five to ten years, with the ultimate aim of establishing a self-sustaining population of 25 individuals. Over the long term, the vision is to see 200 grizzlies thriving in the region within the next 60 to 100 years.
A Long-Awaited Return
Although the North Cascades once fell within the natural range of grizzly bears, evidence suggests that these magnificent creatures have been absent from the region for decades. The FWS points to the absence of confirmed sightings for over two decades. According to a 1993 Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan encompassing the western United States, the most recent verified grizzly tracks in the area date back to 1989 and 1990. An officially documented grizzly kill occurred in 1967 in a mountain basin, now part of the North Cascades National Park. In essence, it has been a considerable amount of time since grizzlies last roamed this remote corner of the Pacific Northwest.
Is the Habitat Still Suitable?
Spanning across 2.6 million acres of federal wilderness, including the Stephen Mather, Pasayten, and Glacier Peak wilderness areas, the North Cascade Ecosystem offers a significant expanse of potential grizzly habitat. This area is bolstered by adjacent national parks, National Forest lands, and some privately held property, totaling approximately 6.1 million acres. To put this into perspective, Yellowstone National Park, along with the surrounding 12 million acres known as the "Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem," is currently home to a grizzly population of just over 1,000, according to a 2021 survey.
Despite this ample space, biologists stress that the North Cascades have evolved since the time grizzlies last occupied the region. Jason Ransom, the lead wildlife biologist for North Cascades National Park, emphasizes, "If we were to magically put grizzly bears back today into the North Cascades, it's not the same North Cascades as it was 100 years ago." However, researchers also argue that expanding the species' range acts as a buffer against potential disruptions across the West. Meade Krosby, another researcher in the area, explains, "[Grizzlies] are the kind of species that fare better in a changing climate. They can move out of the way if there's an impact. They can shift their ranges to track changing climates. If something they eat becomes scarce, they can eat something else."
The North Cascades appear to provide an abundance of forage for grizzlies. A 2018 survey identified over 2,500 plant species and nearly 450 animal species known to be part of grizzly bears' diets. Recent research even suggests that the availability of grizzly forage is set to improve with climate change in the coming decades. While the ecosystem may differ from its historical state, it still contains all the essential elements needed for a grizzly population to thrive, and potentially, to thrive even more successfully than in the past.
What's in the Plan?
The FWS's draft plan presents three potential scenarios. The first is a "no action" alternative, effectively maintaining the status quo. While this option exists in most environmental assessments, it's important to note that even without an active reintroduction, the possibility remains that bears could migrate from the Selkirk Mountains or the "Kettle-Granby" population in British Columbia. In such a scenario, these bears would still be protected under the Endangered Species Act.
The second option is to manage reintroduced bears as a "threatened species" under the Endangered Species Act. This management approach would only allow bear removal in defense of human life, for research purposes, or in extreme cases of human-bear conflict. The third and favored option is to designate the new population as "experimental." This would provide more flexibility in bear management and harvest, facilitating the adaptation to human presence and urban areas.
What Lies Ahead?
If one of the reintroduction options is selected, biologists are considering interior British Columbia and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem as the sources for bear populations. Grizzlies would be captured and carefully transported to remote, non-wilderness regions in the North Cascades for release.
The Draft Restoration Plan and Environmental Impact Statement is currently open for public comment and will remain so until November 13, offering the public a vital opportunity to influence the fate of grizzlies in the North Cascades.
Comments