of Bear Grounds Coffee Co., a 501c(3) Organization dedicated to the conservation of bears and their respective territories.
Bear Species & Current Populations
As of 2023, here are the various populations of the three species (including grizzlies) of bears within the United States of America.
Grizzly Bears
30,000. Only 700-800 can be found in the lower 48 States.
Brown Bears:
32,500
Polar Bears:
Estimated to be around 4,000 – 7,000.
Black Bears:
Estimated to be around 300,000.
International Bear Populations & Species
Did you know there are even more species of bear? (This is one of the things children learn in our book All About Bears!) Check out some of the other kinds that are wandering the planet Earth.
Speckled Bears:
Between 6,000 – 10,000.
Asian Black Bears:
Less than 60,000
Sloth Bears:
20,000
Panda Bears:
Estimated to be around 1,864.
Sun Bears:
Estimated to be around 4,000 – 7,000.
The Issue at Hand
In the past 100 years grizzly bears alone have lost 98% of their original territory.
Bear History and Information
“When Lewis and Clark explored the country, 50,000 to 100,000 grizzly bears roamed the wilderness of the West. As their habitat was destroyed by logging, mining, oil and gas drilling and land development, the powerful bears were threatened with extinction. Grizzly bears are an important symbol of wilderness and a key component of our unique Western wildlife heritage. Since grizzly bears are an umbrella species, the Endangered Species Act’s habitat protections for grizzlies also provides shelter for many other species of wildlife that share the bears’ home range. Today grizzly bears are recovering in areas such as Yellowstone and along the northern Continental Divide, yet still struggling in the Idaho panhandle, northwest Montana and the Cascades. In some places where bears are expanding, habitat loss and threats to key food sources have led to increased conflict with humans, and subsequently, additional grizzly bear mortality.
Grizzly bears reproduce slowly. Females may not have their first litter until they are 6 years of age. Therefore, recovery depends greatly on minimizing female mortality. This requires keeping them safely away from humans, our trash and our livestock because human-caused mortality is the number one threat to grizzly bears. This is why they survived modern human encroachment in the contiguous U.S. only in the most remote and rugged mountainous areas, though they once were common across much of the western mountains and plains.” (Endangered Species Coalition).
Global Warming and Bear Populations
“Global warming appears to be exacerbating human-caused grizzly bear mortalities. Grizzly bears are denning later in the fall due to global warming. This keeps them at risk from human-caused mortality for additional weeks during a time of year when grizzlies and hunters overlap. Grizzly deaths due to human self-defense often result.
Global warming is also causing some natural grizzly bear food resources to decline, forcing grizzlies to seek alternative foods. For example, Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) seeds are a food resource for grizzly bears in some areas, including Yellowstone. Global warming has led to an increase in whitebark pine blister rust as well as an increase in competing species such as Douglas fir in higher elevations. As whitebark pine and other natural grizzly food resources decline due to global warming, grizzlies may shift from remote high elevation areas to lower elevation human-populated areas, looking for alternative foods. Here, they often encounter humans and our garbage, food and livestock. This causes bears to become conditioned to humans; these human-conditioned bears are often removed or killed by wildlife managers due to safety concerns.” (Endangered Species Coalition).
How we can conserve bear populations together.
1. Bear Habitat Conservation
Protecting and restoring bear habitats is paramount. Governments, NGOs, and individuals should support efforts to establish and maintain protected areas and wildlife corridors.
2. Anti-Poaching Measures
Stricter laws, enforcement, and penalties for poaching and illegal trade can deter wildlife crime. Raising awareness about the consequences of these activities is also essential.
3. Responsible Tourism
Promote responsible bear-watching and wildlife tourism that emphasizes minimal disturbance to the animals and their habitats. Educate tourists about the importance of respecting bear behavior and safety.
4. Co-existence Strategies
Implement strategies to reduce human-bear conflicts, such as bear-resistant food storage, education on how to react during bear encounters, and relocating problem bears when necessary.
3. Advocacy
Advocate for stronger wildlife protection laws by speaking up and giving these creatures a voice.
6. Education and Outreach
Raise awareness about the importance of bears and their conservation among the general public, schools, and communities. Knowledge empowers people to take action.