Caribou-Targhee National Forest

The recent delisting of the grizzly bear in the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) is a remarkable conservation success story. The grizzly bear that once roamed over much of western North America was reduced to a few remnant populations when listed as threatened species under the Endangered Species Act in 1975. From an estimated 200 bears in 1975, the population in the GYA has expanded to 500-600 bears today. From my perspective, three key factors contributed significantly to the recovery of the bear.

The first factor is cooperative management to reduce human caused mortality and protect key habitat. With bear populations declining and human conflicts on the rise in the early 1970’s, federal land managers began to work together to recover the grizzly bear in the GYA. Key steps included public education, improved food storage at campgrounds and backcountry camp sites, and increased efforts to provide secure habitat.

The efforts were expanded with the creation of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) in 1983. An offshoot of the IGBC, the Yellowstone Ecosystem Subcommittee brought together representatives from the states of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming to work with federal land managers. County government representatives from each state joined the committee in about 2002. Working together, these managers ensured good monitoring of populations, coordinated efforts to reduce conflicts and established guidelines to protect key habitat.

The second factor is the quality of the habitat and the largely undeveloped nature of the federal lands within the GYA. Encompassing nearly 14 million acres of federal land, the GYA provides room to roam for this symbol of America’s wildlands. Nearly 80% of the GYA is within National parks, designated wilderness or roadless areas, providing secure core habitat for the bear. In 2003 an interagency committee completed work on a conservation strategy, and in 2006, the U. S. Forest Service amended 6 National Forest plans to maintain habitat for a recovered grizzly bear population.

The third factor is public support and partnerships implemented across the GYA to preserve habitat and reduce conflict. Many partners have contributed to the recovery effort. For example, on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, the National Wildlife Federation worked with local ranchers to vacate several sheep allotments located within critical grizzly bear habitat. Idaho Fish and Game, the Forest Service and local citizens in the Island Park area are working together to improve sanitation efforts.

There are many challenges ahead. Wild animals need wild places, and wild places are shrinking due to population growth and development. Invasive species or climate change may alter habitat. Conflicts with large carnivores are inevitable.

But for now let’s celebrate a successful conservation effort and thank all the dedicated individuals, groups and agencies who pitched in to lend a hand!