With the National Park Service and U.S Fish & Wildlife Service announcing a decision on April 25, 2024 to reintroduce grizzly bears to the North Cascades (North Cascades National Park) in Washington, you may be wondering: where exactly will the grizzly bears be? Do I need to carry bear spray the next time I'm hiking the Cascade Pass Trail? What about the Maple Pass Loop or Hidden Lake Lookout?
Well, we've dug into the North Cascades NPS Grizzly Bear Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to find some information. Here's what we know now:
How many grizzly bears are planned to be released?
The ambitious Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan for the North Cascades Ecosystem (NCE) aims to restore a population of 200 grizzly bears. Initially, 3 to 7 grizzly bears will be released into the NCE each year over a period of 5 to 10 years, with a goal of establishing an initial population of 25 bears. Subsequent releases will be managed adaptively to achieve the long-term population target.
Where will they be released?
The grizzly bears will be released within the U.S. portion of the North Cascades Ecosystem, a region known for its vast, contiguous habitat that spans the crest of the Cascade Range. This area encompasses temperate rainforests, subalpine meadows, and dry ponderosa pine forests, offering diverse habitats essential for the bears' survival and proliferation.
The specific areas selected for the release of grizzly bears within the North Cascades Ecosystem (NCE) are:
Stephen Mather Wilderness
Pasayten Wilderness
Glacier Peak Wilderness
These areas were chosen due to their remote nature, high-quality habitat, and connectivity to facilitate grizzly bear interaction and breeding
How will release sites be determined?
Release sites will be carefully selected based on several critical factors:
Quality of Food: Areas abundant in natural food sources will be prioritized to ensure the bears have immediate access to necessary nutrition.
Minimized Human Conflict: Sites will be chosen to reduce potential human-bear conflicts, considering the proximity to human settlements and recreational areas.
Habitat Suitability: Locations will be assessed for their ability to support bear populations, including factors such as terrain, vegetation, and water sources.
How will the release be conducted?
The release process is designed to be meticulous and humane:
Capture: Grizzly bears will be captured from source populations where they are relatively healthy and abundant.
Transport: They will be transported to the NCE during the optimal season, typically between June and September.
Release: Ideal candidates for release will be young, independent bears between 2 to 5 years old, with no prior history of human conflict. The sex ratio of the initial releases will aim for approximately 60-80% females to 20-40% males to promote population growth.
Monitoring: Post-release, the bears will be closely monitored to track their movements, health, and adaptation to their new environment.
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