One of my customers (who is active in grizzly bear rescue) sent me to a site with a story about a very special little bear who needs help now to survive. He’s a tough little guy, and has made it without his mom for quite a few days on his own. He is only 6 months old! (The picture here is NOT that little guy, of course. This is a photo of a beautiful adult Grizzly by a photographer named Kakisky)
I am constantly amazed and impressed by those who are helping, against so many odds, to save our native wildlife. Grizzly bears have always been presented as a species to fear, stay away from (a good idea when it comes to all wild animals) and to destroy when at all possible.
Pardon me for stepping onto a soapbox for a moment, but this ignorance has led to the endangerment and near annihilation of so many species already. I believe we humans have the ability and responsibility to be guardians and protectors of our wildlife, especially those that have been driven nearly to the point of extinction.
I recently met a woman who lives outside a small town in Alaska. We compared some of our wildlife stories from our land. I told her about the black bear who “visited” outside our kitchen when we first moved to the Manzano Mountains of New Mexico.
And she told me about the grizzly bears she regularly sees on her property. She lives there alone, and has no problem with these “fierce predators.” She and they simply ignore each other. I was impressed, and decided to learn a little more about this bear species.
Grizzly bears were listed under the Endangered Species Act in 1975. Back then, their population in the lover 48 states was down to less than 1,000 bears. Even today, they occupy less than 2% of their former range (not counting Alaska).
One online report mentioned the fact that bear attacks are extremely rare, even though every year there are thousands of human-bear encounters. Despite this, only very few result in any kind of personal injury to the human involved. Bears, apparently, will retreat before you are aware of their presence. If hiking in bear country, it seems to be a good idea not to go as quietly as possible, but to make noise, sing and talk. That way if a bear is in the vicinity it can make its getaway before any sort of unwanted confrontation occurs.
Bears in Trouble
Grizzly bear’s food sources are being decimated. Hungry bears no longer can depend on food they’ve been long adapted to consume. As one example, cutthroat trout have always been a source of Grizzly nutrition in Yellowstone lake, especially in the spring and summer. But now nonnative trout have been illegally introduced, and the cutthroat trout are being edged out.
Other food sources are also being either eliminated or cut down due to environmental factors. This has left Grizzlies in trouble, and the only nutrition available to them is now livestock and elk. Of course, this leads to conflict with ranchers and hunters. It is a lose-lose situation for the Grizzly bear.
Another problems with Grizzly survival is that they have a very low reproductive rate. They live to be about 35 years old in the wild, and don’t reproduce till they are 4-7 years old. Every third year they have 2 cubs on the average. When born, the cubs are very tiny…only 12 to 16 ounces!
Mother Grizzlies take care of their cubs for up to 3 years. This is one reason why the little lost bear is such a tragic case. He needs care and comfort.
I know my customers love animals. That’s why I’m telling you this story. And if you feel it in your heart to help, please click on this link to read the amazing story about the little orphaned Grizzly and to learn what super simple thing you can do now to help him survive. (Hint: It does NOT involve giving money)
You are the best, and I appreciate each and every animal lover. It’s people like us who know how to make a difference.
Do you have your own bear story, about any species? I would love to hear it!
Your Animal loving artist,
Merry
