Grizzly Times is a voice for the imperiled Grizzly Bear (ursus arctos) in the Yellowstone region and the wild ecosystems of the northern Rocky Mountains of the United States. Learn more at grizzlytimes.org
(This is shared with their permission. Thank you!)
From November 7, 2021
Update on the World's Most Famous Grizzly, 399: Three of her Cubs Trapped, 2 Radio-collared
Yesterday three cubs of 399 were trapped by Fish and Wildlife Service south of Grand Teton Park and released today with 2 having radio collars, to keep a closer eye on them and help prevent conflicts.
The agency had aimed to catch the whole family -- and it is rumored it was going to move the family back to the park. But they did not catch 399 and her other cub so they released the ones they captured.
Celebrity Grizzly 399, and her four half-grown cubs have been on an extended walkabout through southern Jackson Hole. Since the summer, the 25-year-old bear has spent more time outside Grand Teton National Park than within the protected landscape.
They have been getting into all kinds of unsecured foods and attractants left out by careless people -- livestock feed, garbage, beehives. And the conflicts have been getting worse.
In response, wildlife managers and a landowner tried to haze the bears with cracker shells, nonlethal projectiles, and other means.
But these measures have not been effective given that these bears know about where food sources are. And hazing is hardly a panacea as David Mattson explains in his report "Teaching Bears:"
Please sign the petition:
Jackson Hole - Mandatory Bear Proof Trash Cans in Teton County - Save 399s Cubs
The root problem is too many careless people -- and inadequate sanitation rules and enforcement in Jackson Hole, as I wrote about in a recent op-ed in the Jackson News and Guide: https://www.mostlynaturalgrizzlies.org/about-3?fbclid=IwAR2hvUrkN2QHl66RhmguY9dzJHdNXcTSI7dRMiwBx5jkXPNfii9qzjlOymQ
With 63 grizzlies killed by humans so far this year, 2021 is already a disastrous year for grizzly bear deaths in Greater Yellowstone -- hunting season is far from over. The federal dead bear database is here:
Needless to say, we don't need any more deaths -- especially of this world-renowned family.
Please write FWS Grizzly Bear Coordinator Hilary Cooley, asking that FWS redouble efforts to enforce the Endangered Species Act’s ban on killing and harassment of grizzlies, including by feeding. Address: hilary_cooley@fws.gov
This means cracking down on people who have been feeding these and other bears -- as well as poachers. An astonishing number of cases -- 18 this year so far is under investigation for possible poaching. Such cases have been increasing -- a disturbing trend.
From November 1st Grizzly Times
The bottom line is that the rich community of Jackson needs to get its act together and help keep 399 and her four half-grown cubs safe and out of trouble. 399 is again on an extended walkabout through southern Jackson Hole.
Fish and Wildlife Service needs to do more than just monitor the situation, and get serious about enforcing Endangered Species Act requirements to prevent illegal "take" -- killing of harassment of bears, including by being fed. The agency should refrain from relocating her from her familiar habitat and denning site.
And Teton County needs to upgrade its sanitation and wildlife feeding regs -- something they say they will do over the winter.
But 399 and her cubs need to be protected from now until they den.
I have written more about the situation here -- a little dated, but still relevant: https://www.grizzlytimes.org/.../playing-russian-roulette...
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