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Co-existing with the grizzly

© Connie Troutman

Within the next few weeks, wildlife officials will propose that grizzly bears around Yellowstone Park be removed from the Endangered Species Act.

In 1973 President Nixon signed the Endangered Species Act. In 1975, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the grizzly bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, meaning it is considered likely to become endangered "endangered" means a species is considered in danger of extinction within all or a significant portion of its range).

Chris Servheen, grizzly bear recovery coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said he doesn't see much change with the Yellowstone-area bears once they're removed from the list of animals protected by the federal law.

The grizzly population in the area is probably well over 600 and officials would like to see the number at 500.

Residents who reside up and down the Northfork have concerns about safety and the right to protect their property.

Recently, residents gathered to voice their concerns to state legislators and county commissioners who were in the area for a tour through the Shoshone National Forest.

Michelle Sauerwein, a resident in Wapiti, has seen bears trapped on her front lawn, and she spent at least four hours on her barn roof to avoid a grizzly sow with cubs. Sauerwein did this as her infant slept in the main house, with no supervision. source:Casper Tribune

Another resident owns Karelian bear dogs for protection.

Rick Fales, another resident, said in the Cody Enterprise that people talk about the bear population but not about the human population.

I have to agree with Rick. The area is swelling with new homes going up and it seems that those people need to act responsible and make sure that garbage and other attractants are not readily available to a wandering bear. If you choose to move into bear country then you need to adjust bad habits in order to avoid conflicts.

We just returned from a camping trip near Yellowstone and reactions were mixed. Some feel that unnecessary killing of a grizzly or possible poaching could become a problem when they are delisted.

Tourists are a major problem when it comes to bear conflicts. One camper told us that at the entrance to Yellowstone, fries and other food were being tossed on the ground for a bear that hangs out in the area. I never saw signs of food or the bear but I do believe people feed them, which can turn into a very dangerous situation.

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