IS GRIZZLY BEAR NATIVE TO BITTERROOT ECOSYSTEM?
(402) This is an interesting issue. On one hand the public is adamant that a population of grizzlies exist in the Bitterroot Ecosystem (BE). Yet, people from the same general area question whether grizzlies are even native to the BE. The spectrum of comments received reflect this discrepancy within the public. Respondents frequently use these arguments to disagree with the idea of reintroduction. People say if there are already grizzlies there, they should be allowed to grow at their own rate. Bears, therefore, cannot be reintroduced as experimental nonessential. On the other hand, if grizzlies are not indigenous to the BE, the habitat to support a population must not be there for a self-sustaining grizzly bear population. Reintroduction would be a waste of resources. WHAT IS A VIABLE GRIZZLY BEAR POPULATION? (403) The general theme of these comments is whether or not the recovery goal of 280 bears is a self-sustaining grizzly bear population. Some feel that more bears will be needed i
Related Questions
- What are the advantages of designating reintroduced grizzly bears as nonessential, experimental in the Bitterroot Ecosystem?
- Would grizzly bear recovery in the Bitterroot Ecosystem affect current land-uses such as timber harvest and mining?
- Are grizzly bears native to the Bitterroot Ecosystem, and do they reside there today?
