Plan to Reintroduce Grizzlies In the North Cascades

​worldanimalnews.com/long-awaited-plan-to-protect-grizzlies-in-the-north-cascades-should-restore-their-threatened-population/

A draft to reintroduce grizzly bears to the North Cascades ecosystem in the United States, has been released and the public has until November 13th, 2023 to submit their comments / concerns. Historically, grizzly bears roamed the North Cascades for thousands of years before human encroachment pushed them to near extinction. This is the second attempt at restoring grizzly bears to the North Cascades ecosystem, after the Trump administration halted the restoration back in 2015, despite over 159, 000 statements of support from local residents. 

Not my photo - Photo taken from World Animal News.

Grizzly bears are believed to be the last mammal required to restore the North Cascades to its historical population. Residents who live in this area are quoted as having an understanding that they are in grizzly bear territory and welcome the reintroduction of grizzlies. 

You see, those who have a true understanding about the balance of an ecosystem, and the importance of all species that inhabit it, would never argue against the reintroduction of a native species, regardless of what it was. With over 159 thousands comments of support back in 2015, it's obvious that residents support the reintroduction to keep their ecosystem healthy and thriving.

WILL THERE BE PROTECTIONS?

Reintroducing grizzly bears is something I support wholeheartedly. Considering it was humans who eradicated them, it certainly falls on us to restore them to their habitat. My concern here is much the same as it was with grey wolves. Grey wolves were listed under federal protections for over 45 years. In that time, endless resources were funneled in to restoring wolves to their habitat across the U.S. and their populations finally started to recover. Then, the Trump administration removed protections for grey wolves, which opened them up to hunters in pro-hunting states throughout the United States. Without wasting time, several states reenacted their wolf hunting licenses, and wolves were callously shot for sport, dwindling their numbers back down. 45 years of effort, time, and money, nearly erased within months of wolf protections being lifted.

Will this be the case for the grizzly bear? Reintroduction is a wonderful thing, especially for a healthy habitat. As we know, every habitat / ecosystem relies on ALL of its inhabitants to properly thrive and the reintroduction of grizzlies is crucial to keep the North Cascades ecosystem thriving for years to come. However, I fear that without necessary protections issued to grizzlies being reintroduced, that they will inevitably face the same fate they faced that originally pushed them to near extinction. This reintroduction must come with crucial protections for grizzlies, otherwise, what's stopping callous hunters from shooting them for fun / sport and plunging them back towards extinction?

As I said, if you look at the plight of the grey wolf in the United States, it's clear that without continued protections, there are enough people who just don't care about their survival and would happily shoot and kill them for fun. Will this reintroduction of grizzlies come with guaranteed protections? If not, I fear that we will funnel our energy and resources in to something that is doomed to fail grizzlies and the North Cascades.

​Learn more about this story by visiting the link at the top of this post.

HAPPY VEG