Bears of Bute

Grizzly bears are currently thriving in healthy numbers in the province of British Columbia. BC is home to half of Canada’s entire grizzly population and a quarter of all grizzly bears worldwide. Conservative estimates put the total number of grizzlies living in British Columbia somewhere between 10,000 and 13,000 bears. Current grizzly bear habitats in the Kootenay Mountains, Northern Rockies and Northwestern British Columbia are among the most densely concentrated and healthiest grizzly bear populations in the world. Though the grizzly is by no means classified as “threatened or endangered,” the species is listed as “vulnerable or sensitive” due to their intolerance of nearby human proximity and their reluctance to adapt to human heavy surroundings.Populations in other parts of North America, including Alberta and Montana, have not endured with as much success as the British Columbian grizzlies, often due to clashes with humans. Increased development in once viable habitats, combined with continuous hunting over the course of centuries has led to decrease in grizzly populations in these once fertile breeding grounds. Though the natural climate throughout much of Western Canada and the Northwestern United States is conducive to the grizzly bears lifestyle, grizzly bears and humans mutual intolerance has restricted large grizzly populations to the seclusion of deep woods, often on mountainous terrain, where only hikers and extreme outdoor enthusiasts are in danger of disturbing the feared beast. As a result, British Columbia, the most mountainous region in Canada has made a suitable home for the grizzly, still less developed than its American mountain filled counterparts, which are more thoroughly populated by people and double as heavy traffic tourist destinations. It’s estimated that over 80 of the original grizzly habitat in British Columbia is either stably occupied or increasing in population, with only 8 permanently lost to human endeavors. The remaining land area is currently influx with habitat recovery programs underway to restore more grizzly stomping ground.