Promoting Knowledge of Grizzly Bears among Recovery Zone Residents in Washington’s North Cascades

• Main Authors: Chris Morgan, Jim Davis, Nan Laney, Tim Ford
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: British Columbia; Canada; Duda; Ursus arctos
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.590.3538; http://www.llbc.leg.bc.ca/public/pubdocs/bcdocs/400484/morganc_edited_final_feb_2.pdf

Extended Abstract: Over the last two hundred years, the number of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) in the coterminous United States has declined from an estimated 50,000–100,000 individuals to around 1100. The grizzly bear was listed as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in 1975, and six recovery ecosystems have been established since that time. The North Cascades Ecosystem (NCE) is the largest grizzly bear recovery ecosystem encompassing approximately 24,800 km in north central Washington. The ecosystem extends for an additional 10,350 km in south central British Columbia, Canada (Gaines et al. 2000). The current population estimate for the Washington NCE is < 20 individuals (Gaines et al. 2001). Observations of grizzly bears and verified grizzly bear sign are very rare. Local residents have not coexisted with a significant grizzly bear population for many decades; therefore, public knowledge of grizzly bears is limited. Despite general support for grizzly bear recovery in Washington (Duda et al. 1996), segments of the human population in or near the NCE oppose recovery. In order for residents to make well informed comments that reflect their opinions on grizzly bear recovery, perceptions and attitudes towards bears must be based upon accurate information. Agencies responsible for recovery in the