Recovery Plan for the Northern Spotted Owl - DRAFT

Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos)Distribution.-The historic range of the grizzly bear included western NorthAmerica, roughly from the Mississippi River and Canadian Great Plains west tothe Pacific Ocean and from Alaska and the Northwest Territories south tocentral Mexico. The current range is from the Rocky Mountain east front inCanada, Montana, and Wyoming to the Pacific Ocean and from Alaska and theNorthwest Territories south to portions of Washington, Idaho, Montana,Wyoming, and perhaps Colorado. Current grizzly bear range is less than 2percent of the historic range in the lower 48 States, and populations numberless than 1,000 (USDI 1990). Although the north Cascades and SelkirkMountains are recognized as grizzly bear ecosystems in the Grizzly BearRecovery Plan, bears may occur in the Okanogan Highlands and Kettle Rangeas well (J.A. Almack, Washington Department Wildlife, Olympia, pers. comm.).The remote areas occupied by grizzly bears are primarily on federal lands. TheSelkirk ecosystem is designated as a recovery area and the north Cascades isbeing evaluated to determine if it is capable of supporting a viable population ofgrizzly bears. In one 5-year study, four sets of confirmed grizzly bear trackswere found in the north Cascades of Washington. One grizzly bear skull and afood cache also were found. Washington Department of Wildlife biologistsevaluated a total of 128 reports of grizzly bear observations in the north Cascades.These observations, combined with other incidental sightings, indicatethat there is a small, resident population of grizzly bears in the north Cascades.A technical review team will determine the capability of the northCascades to support a viable population of grizzly bears and the FWS willdecide whether to designate this area as a recovery zone (Washington Departmentof Wildlife 1990).Status.-The grizzly bear is federally listed as threatened and state listed asendangered in Washington. It is extirpated in Oregon and California. Apetition was submitted to the FWS in 1990 to have the grizzly bear in the northCascades listed as an endangered, rather than a threatened species. The FWSfound the petition was substantive and undertook a review of the bear's status;a final finding on the petition has not been made.Natural History and Habitat Associations.-Grizzly bears remain only invast, diverse, and remote mountainous habitat. They require a variety ofvegetation types for food and for breeding, bedding, and denning activities.These habitats include open areas such as lowland wet meadows and marshes,shrub fields located in avalanche chutes, high elevation sedge or heath meadows,and stream floodplains. Forest cover is used for resting and hiding cover.The importance of these habitats to bears varies during the year, and often isdetermined by the availability of seasonally important foods. Plant materials,including succulent grasses, sedges, forbs, and fruits; fish; and large mammalsare major components of the diet. Carrion, insects, and small mammals suchas ground squirrels also are consumed. Grizzly bears usually prepare winterdens in excavated chambers or natural caves located above 5,000 feet onslopes with deep snow. Den sites must have well-drained, soil, and must beisolated from humans and other animals (Almack 1985).Human-induced mortality is the major limiting factor restricting grizzly bearpopulations south of Canada. Availability of seasonally important habitatsmay be critical to the survival of specific grizzly bear populations. Grizzly bearsrequire large tracts of suitable habitat that are managed to minimize conflictswith humans (USDI 1990). Grizzly bears, like wolves, are not dependent onold-growth forests, but they may benefit from DCAs that remain roadless andfree from human disturbance.387