Grizzly Bears (Ursus arctos)
Is there room for the Great Bear?
Exploring the biological and social dimensions of grizzly bear stewardship.
For the past twenty years, biologists and game wardens have listened intently to reports of people encountering large bears in the backcountry of the San Juans--bears that these people insist are grizzlies. Yet, records indicate that the last wild grizzly bear in Colorado was killed in 1979 in the South San Juans.
Even if a remnant population of bears persists in the southern extent of the Southern Rockies, their potential for survival and continued success is small. Inbreeding and natural mortality will likely ensure that any remaining bears are the last of their kind in the region, unless we as humans step-in and rekindle the flame of wilderness by reintroducing these magnificent creatures.
Unfortunately, we do not know enough about the current habitat in the region to determine if grizzly bears stand a chance of survival here. In the coming years, we will endeavor to answer these questions, and determine if restoring the Great Bear is feasible.
In February of 2002, the Colorado Grizzly Project released a proposal to restore grizzlies to the San Juan Mountains of Southern Colorado. A low-resolution version of the proposal is available in PDF format by clicking here. If you would like to order a hard-copy, please email us using the form at the bottom of our merchandise page.
Please note that provision of this document does not constitute endorsement by Sinapu.
