It sure is warm out west this spring! With those warmer temperatures comes
what our team affectionately calls “bear season.” As the first grizzly
bear tracks of spring show up in the mountains of Montana, Idaho,
Washington and Wyoming, we go to work making sure bears avoid trouble and are
safe. 2015 is shaping up to be a busy year. Here are just a few of the projects
our grizzly bear team is working on.
Grizzly Bear Electric Fencing Incentive Too often, grizzly bears are killed because they’re considered a danger to humans. This occurs most often
when bears get into trouble with “attractants” such as people’s livestock,
birdfeeders, garbage or fruit trees. Once a bear discovers these tasty treats,
it is not likely to forget the location and can come back repeatedly, causing
understandable concern for the landowner. In response to rising conflicts
between grizzly bears and people, Defenders started a grizzly bear electric
fence incentive program in 2010. Through this program, we’re helping residents
in grizzly bear country protect items that might “lure” bears into trouble. This
way, we can stop the cycle of conflict before it even begins. Defenders’ Electric Fencing
Incentive Program pays half of the costs (up to $500) to install a
bear-resistant electric fence around a bear “attractant.” Since 2010, we have
completed more than 150 fences. And, we hope to install another 50 in 2015. As
of early May, 35 landowners had already enrolled in this year’s program! A large
part of this program’s success is due to the technical and hands-on assistance
we provide through Russ
Talmo, Defenders’ electric fencing project manager and dedicated
field technician.
Russ Talmo stands alongside Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks staff after completing a much anticipated electric fence.
Bears follow their noses to the next tasty treat, which means garbage that is
left out where bears can get it is often too tempting for bears to pass up. This
usually ends badly for the bear, as they become used to getting into garbage for
food near where people live. These “food conditioned” bears are often relocated
or euthanized by management agencies due to human safety concerns. So, we’re
working with local landowners and wildlife managers to secure garbage containers
that could otherwise lead bears into trouble. Together with a large group of
partners, Defenders was able to purchase 50 bear-resistant garbage containers
for a town in northwest Montana with a history of black and grizzly bear
conflicts. Those containers were placed in the community this spring at no cost
to landowners. We will continue this effort in other areas in 2015.
Defending Grizzly Bear Habitat in National Forests Another major threat to grizzly bears is loss of habitat. More development is occurring on private lands
in the northern Rocky Mountains at the same time as grizzly bear populations
continue to recover and expand. This is why it is essential that bears have
access to habitat on secure public lands. Defenders is working to make sure that
public land protections in the northern Rockies remain strong so that this bear
population keeps thriving. This spring several national forests in Montana are
making changes to how they manage the land, in part for
grizzly bears. If done right, the new plans could provide much needed habitat
for the region’s grizzly bear populations. Equally important, the various
habitats would be connected, enabling bears to live and move between
populations. Defenders is dedicating a large team to reviewing and commenting on
these forest plans, and will help advise the Forest Service on what is best for
the continued recovery of the region’s imperiled wildlife.Wide-ranging grizzly bears don’t understand boundaries, and so the Forest Service must collaborate with other federal, state, local, and private entities to ensure the bears are protected across large landscapes, including national forests.
Range Riders If you know about Defenders’ work with wolves, you may have heard the term
“range riders” before. This is one of our programs that can benefit multiple
species – in this case, both wolves and grizzly bears. In several areas
throughout the country, Defenders is working with ranchers to employ on-the-ground tools and
strategies to protect livestock from predators, and therefore reduce lethal
control of predators. Defenders is assisting on three range rider projects this
year in Montana. By increasing human presence on the landscape amongst
livestock, the riders can deter predators, increase awareness about predator
activity in the area, and address sick and injured livestock as soon as
possible. This program has been highly effective in reducing potential conflict
between grizzly bears, wolves and livestock, and we hope to continue to see it
grow.
Recovery of the North Cascades Grizzly Bear Recovery of grizzly bears in Washington State to the North Cascades Ecosystem is slowly marching toward
being a reality. The National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service launched the effort to start figuring out how to recover bears in this
ecosystem with an Environmental Impact Statement earlier this year. During the
first public comment period for this process, the agencies received
approximately 2,900 online comments, of which about 79 percent were supportive
of recovering bears to the North Cascades. Defenders’ members and other grizzly
bear supporters sent a loud and clear message: Washington is ready to be grizzly
country once again. This next year, Defenders will work to keep momentum up for
recovery of grizzly bears there and continue our education and outreach efforts
to increase knowledge and tolerance of grizzlies, as well as continue to talk to
our state legislators about the importance of grizzly bears to ecosystem health
and why Washington needs them on our landscape.
On top of all of these projects, Defenders continues to work with state,
federal and tribal agencies as well as local residents and other conservation
groups to raise awareness about living with grizzly bears and the tools available that
allow people and grizzly bears to coexist on the landscape. Where grizzly bears
remain in the continental U.S., the largest threats facing them are human
related deaths and habitat loss. In some areas like the North Cascades, grizzly
bears are barely hanging on. We are on the ground to ensure grizzly bears are
here to stay and thrive so future generations can enjoy this wild and majestic
animal.
Save Yellowstone’s Grizzly Bears From Hunters. Target: Dan Ashe, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Goal: Keep the Yellowstone grizzlies on the endangered species list and continue protecting them from extinction. The grizzly bears of Yellowstone National Park may be taken off the endangered species list, opening them to any number of threats including hunting. Their numbers are said to be rebounding due to their classification as an endangered species. Since the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service thinks the grizzlies are doing so well they are considering having them de-listed, however, this would be disastrous to their long-term survival. Hunters who have been prevented from hunting grizzly bears could reduce their numbers not long after their protections are removed. It is illegal to kill a grizzly due to their protections, but one was killed around the time their potential de-listing made the news. The grizzlies have to face the effects of climate change on their habitats just like other animals worldwide. Due to this threat alone, newly de-listed species could be headed back to being re-listed if they are removed too soon. There have already been changes to the grizzly bears’ food supply in Yellowstone National Park. Their nutrition impacts their already low reproduction rates, which are the slowest of any terrestrial mammal in North America. This makes it even more difficult for them to rebound from survival threats than many other animals. Their increased numbers are truly an endangered species success story, but the Yellowstone grizzlies are not out of the woods yet. It is too soon and short-sighted to take their protections away. Sign the petition below to support continued protections for the grizzly bear population of Yellowstone Park. SIGN THE PETITION LETTER; Dear Mr. Ashe, I have learned there are plans to remove the grizzly bears of Yellowstone National Park from the endangered species list, and I wanted to let you know that I oppose removing their protections. Once their protections are removed, grizzly bears will be open to a number of threats that could put their survival at risk, including hunters who have been wanting to hunt grizzlies as big game. Even though it is currently illegal to hunt grizzly bears, one was killed shortly after it was announced that you were considering removing their protections. The grizzlies have to face the effects of climate change on their habitats just like other animals worldwide. There have already been changes to their food supply in Yellowstone National Park. Their nutrition affects their already low reproduction rates, which are the slowest of any terrestrial mammal in North America, making it even more difficult for them to rebound from survival threats. Their increased numbers are truly an endangered species success story, but the Yellowstone grizzlies are not out of the woods yet, so to speak. Many oppose de-listing the grizzlies, including local Native American groups. It is too soon and short-sighted to take their protections away. I urge you to continue protections for the still vulnerable grizzly bear population of Yellowstone National Park. They are not ready to be unprotected and I am not ready to see them endangered again. Sincerely, [Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: AlbertHerring
5 Steps From Bile Farm to Freedom for Rescued Bears
Once a bear has been freed from a life of bile extraction, the true road to recovery begins.
Their cages can be left thousands of miles behind, but decades of pain and suffering are harder to erase. The rehabilitation of a bear is a long and very individual process, but there are five steps each bear must pass on their personal journey to recovery.
1. Quarantine
When bears arrive at the sanctuary, they will first need to be quarantined for 45 days. It’s a vital step to protect the health of all the bears at the sanctuary, but also requires careful management to keep the bears stimulated.
During this time there’ll be plenty of extra treats, as well as puzzle feeders and even new tastes, sounds and smells specially designed to stimulate the bears and fend off boredom.
2. Health Checks
When the vet team believes they are ready, rescued bears will receive full health checks and any medical procedures they require. This might include the removal of their gallbladder if significantly damaged by bile extraction. For many bears rescued from the bile industry it will include extensive dental surgery to remove damaged teeth from a lifetime of poor diet and vain attempts to chew their way to freedom through iron bars. If painful conditions are discovered, vets will be able to improve the animal’s welfare either with surgery or medication.
3. Dens
Following quarantine, bears can expect to be moved to a much larger indoor area known as a den.
Once each bear is comfortable in a den, the next step is usually careful integration with other bears. Moon bears are not thought to be social animals in the wild, and so communities must be carefully selected and managed.
Prior to integration, sanctuary staff carefully monitor the bears for signs of stress or aggression. If there are no negative signs, then the bears will be introduced in a non-threatening environment under careful management. Long term, relationships can be extremely therapeutic for rescued bears, with many—such as Mama and Moggy or Bonny and Prince—forming strong, life-long bonds.
5. The Green Green Grass of Home
The most significant step in any bear’s rehabilitation is their first steps out into an enclosure. Whether this takes place before or after integration with other bears, it is a milestone in any bear’s recovery and – like the introduction to a den – each bear reacts differently. Some – like Ti Map – take time to fully trust large open spaces, while others are quick to explore every nook and cranny.
Over time, rescued bears come to realise that their new good life is forever and start to relax. They learn to live with other bears, to trust their human carers – to forage and play and finally live the life denied them by the bear bile industry.
Home-Sweet-Home
Finally, we must remember that those who exploit the bears see them only as property and a resource – we see each bear as an individual. That means every single bear will be respected, carefully monitored and have a slightly different route from farm to freedom especially tailored just for them.
Tell Top Obama Officials to Meet With Tribes Over Grizzly Protection
Tribal
leaders in the West this week called on top wildlife officials in the Obama
administration to delay any plans to remove federal protections for
Yellowstone's grizzlies and instead attend a summit this summer, both to hear
the tribes' opposition to stripping protection from grizzly bears and to show
respect for their nations and cultures.
The
request follows a Northern Cheyenne tribal representative being forcibly stopped
from speakingby the state-federal grizzly bear committee when he
attempted to announce the tribe's opposition to stripping Endangered Species Act
protection from the species.
In a letter to Jewell and Ashe, the Rocky
Mountain Tribal Leaders Council said the Fish and Wildlife Service has
"continued to ignore" some 35 tribal resolutions and declarations raising
concerns about stripping Endangered Species Act protection from grizzlies that
live in and around Yellowstone National Park.
Not only is an apology
warranted after the incident in Wyoming, but it's time for the Interior
Department to do what's right. Tribes have a longstanding cultural connection
with the region's grizzlies and deserve to be fully heard before any further
steps are taken to strip the bears' protections.
Take action to tell
Ashe and Jewell to put delisting plans on hold for Yellowstone's grizzlies and
attend the tribal summit this summer.
