Ursus Arctos Californicus CALIFORNIA GRIZZLY BEAR REINTRODUCTION TEAM

NEW! 2000 CENSUS DATA FOR CGRA 3!

The California Grizzly (Ursus Arctos Californicus) was likely a subspecies of the North American Grizzly Bear, Ursus Horribilis, although there is some disagreement. C.H. Merriam described 86 kinds of Grizzly and Brown Bears in North America, with 7 kinds in California alone. Most scientists have questioned his definition of a species, and would lump most of these kinds into a single species. Since there are no surviving California Grizzlies and no specimens which would allow such a distinction, it is unlikely we will ever know for sure. The source population for reintroducing the California Grizzly will have to be carefully selected to match the California animal's reported characteristics as much as possible. It is likely that even if a different species of Grizzly were introduced, it would be similar enough that any differences would be negligible, and the ecological functions it would serve would be identical (it would hopefully eat developers).

Our team's preliminary assessment has resulted in 5 California Grizzly Recovery Areas (CGRA). More detailed studies of the habitat, an intensive education program, and several other management actions will be necessary before the first animals are released. It is expected that this can be completed in 5-10 years with adequate funding. As the California Condor recovers in this area, monies for condor recovery can be transferred to Grizzly Bear recovery.

Suggested References: Storer, Tracy I. and Tevis, Lloyd P. Jr., California Grizzly, 1955, UC Press.

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