Wildlife on the Brink: Grizzly Bear

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Ursus arctos horribilis

STATUS: Threatened in the lower 48

HABITAT: Open areas near streams and rivers, grasslands, forests

LIFE HISTORY: Solitary except for mother-cub family groups. "Light hibernator" with only moderate drops in heart rate and body temperature. Seventy-five percent of diet consists of vegetable matter.

THREATS: Habitat loss due to oil, gas and other development; conflict with humans

FORMER RANGE: Much of the American West, from the Pacific Coast to the western Great Plains

CURRENT POPULATION: 1,000 in the lower 48

This rugged, lone hunter has long been a symbol of America's frontier spirit. In the early 19th century, 100,000 grizzly bears roamed the American West. Today, only 1,000 remain in the lower 48 states, confined to 1 percent to 2 percent of the habitat in which they used to live. A thriving grizzly bear population reflects a healthy ecosystem—where there are grizzlies, there are elk, trout and clean water.

Grizzlies were among the first animals protected by the Endangered Species Act, yet today, oil and gas interests eager to develop Western wildlands are making headway in their movement to take the Yellowstone grizzly population off the endangered species list. This move could allow the hunting of grizzlies in the three states surrounding Yellowstone Park, as well as a reduction or removal of protections for grizzly habitat.

NRDC, together with longtime grizzly conservationist Louisa Willcox, established NRDC's Wild Bear Project to address the threat to Yellowstone grizzlies. Willcox and NRDC are fighting against oil and gas development in grizzly territory, and are pressing for the creation of continuous healthy habitat from Yellowstone to northern Canada, linking American and Canadian grizzly populations to ensure the species' long-term survival.

Photo: grizzly bear © National Park Service