What number of grizzlies makes a recovered population?
A recovered, or self-sustaining grizzly bear population must be genetically viable; able to withstand natural and human-caused mortality and catastrophic disasters; and be well distributed throughout the ecosystem. The determination of what constitutes a recovered population in the North Cascades cannot be determined at this time because of the lack of information for the ecosystem. Additional research will be needed to determine the population objective for the North Cascades ecosystem. Although a viable grizzly bear population number cannot be exactly specified at this time, scientists currently estimate that it may be comprised of between 200-400 bears. A recovery plan for the North Cascades was finalized and approved in 1997. The plan may be updated periodically and these updates provide opportunities to determine or revise population objectives based on new information.
