

The mountains of North Cascades National Park in northern Washington state are God’s grizzly country. Sadly, the area’s bear population has dwindled to fewer than a dozen. So when the government ditched plans to reintroduce the animals there, some folks grrrrrrowled. Grizzly advocates hope to challenge that decision.
An estimated 50,000 grizzly bears once roamed the lower 48 U.S. states. Beginning in the mid-1800s, the Department of the Interior (DOI) managed the nation’s natural resources. That included animal species and habitats. By the 1930s, grizzly bears had all but disappeared. Most had been poisoned, shot, or trapped.
In 1975, the DOI named grizzly bears a threatened species. Since then, bears have slowly regained territory. Their numbers have increased. Today, the largest group of grizzlies—still fewer than 1,800—inhabit Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks.
Grizzlies of the North Cascades are some of the most at-risk bears in the United States. Some researchers believe only about 10 bears live there today. Female bears usually produce just a few small litters, and North Cascades bears live isolated from other grizzlies.
According to Rob Smith of the National Parks Conservation Association, “Grizzlies have been an integral part of the North Cascades ecosystem for . . . years but are now one of the most threatened populations in North America.”
In 2015, the federal government began studying bears. There was hope to restore grizzlies in the North Cascades. But Interior Secretary David Bernhardt says the agency won’t try to bring bears back. His agency believes residents there don’t want more grizzlies.
Representative Dan Newhouse of central Washington state agrees. He says locals share his “concerns about introducing an apex (top of the food chain) predator into the North Cascades.”
But the Conservation Northwest environmental group says the DOI decision may not be the final word. Spokesperson Chase Gunnell points out that the North Cascades has far fewer human visitors than the other parks where bears are being relocated. He also says the U.S. Endangered Species Act mandates grizzly bear recovery plans in the North Cascades.
In the meantime, grizzlies did win one victory. Federal officials sought to give bear management to states. That probably would have legalized bear hunting. Instead, a judge restored protections for the bears in the Yellowstone region of the Rocky Mountains.
Andrea Zaccardi is an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity. Her clients believe the North Cascades could support more than 700 grizzlies over 9,000 square miles of habitat. “Recovery there,” Zaccardi says, “is critical to the overall recovery of grizzly bears.”
1st COMMENT!!!!
im fine with grizzlies not being reintroduced..
To me, grizzly bears are
To me, grizzly bears are scary and dangerous, but I think they do need to be reintroduced. A lot of people don't like them, probably because they're so big and strong, but then you should learn what to do if you cross one. Also, don't be dumb and try to get close to a bear, that selfie isn't worth it.
3rd comment
I think that they should be reintroduced. They might be a little scary because they are so big, but aren't they one of God's amazing designs? and God put Man in charge of taking care of the things that he had made, so I think that we should. Even if they are scary, I think that they are majestic looking too. My grandma takes vacation in Michigan and this year she has seen 5 bears already!! But black bears, not grizzlys.
I think that bears should be
I think that bears should be able to roam wherever they want to.
@ Carys M
do you know that the way to tell if you are to close to a bear is: You hold your thumb up to it, and if you can see the bear when your thumb is covering it you are to close to it. But if your thumb is covering the bear then you're fine.
Also I don't really have a preference.
I think that the bears
I think that the bears should be protected! And yeah, some people might find them scary, so we do need to keep people safe, but it's really sad how so many bears were killed and I think they should be protected as well
that's really sad, though i
that's really sad, though i understand why they don't want to reintroduce them. i mean, it must be really scary to just be walking home from school and find a grizzly in your way!
I think they should be
I think they should be reintroduced. Grizzlies are huge and super strong, but we should take care of them.
our fault
we all but made them extinct. they need to be reintroduced.
Bear=hmmm....I'm hungry..
Bear=hmmm....I'm hungry...Bear= runs after some guy..Guy= screams like a girl =ahhhhhhh!!!!..me= i can't bear to watch this..lol XDDD
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darn
No Grizzlies in Cascades Mountains
It is really sad that these incredible animals are endangered. Although, I can also see where the officials are coming from. Grizzlies are dangerous. However, they are God's Creation. We should do our best to protect these animals. I think they should reintroduce these bears back into the park, but make sure that they aren't attacking residents.
o((⊙﹏⊙))o.
I'm totally for grizzlies not going back there, i just think there cool for other places. but we should still watch them like a hawk because there are already almost 600 extinct species and we don't need another one of Gods beautiful creatures going extinct.
cool animals
Grizzly bears are really cool animals I have seen a couple in the wild!!!