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NOVEMBER 24, 2000

A report published this week in Northwest Science says grizzly bears need more space in order to thrive.

Author Mike Bader says bears need 71,000 square miles of area in which to recover. But he says only 20,000 square miles are being demarcated.

Grizzly bears were once populous in the United States, but humans have reduced their numbers to about 1,100 today. The government is proposing to release more grizzlies into the wild in Idaho and western Montana in order to increase their numbers, but the plan is controversial and Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne said he will file a lawsuit against it.

The plan would be overseen by a citizens committee, including a member from the Nez Perce Tribe.

Get the Story:
Grizzly recovery areas too small, report says (AP 11/24)

Related Stories:
Controversial grizzly bear plan announced (Enviro 11/17)

Relevant Links:
Record of Decision and Final Rule for Grizzly Bear Recovery in the Bitterroot - mountain-prairie.fws.gov/bitterroot