Northern Continental Divide

On April 18, 2007, the Fish and Wildlife Service announced the initiation of a 5-year review of grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) (as listed in the lower 48 States excluding the Greater Yellowstone Area population) and 8 other species (72 FR 19549). We conducted reviews to ensure that our classification of each species as threatened or endangered on the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants is accurate. A 5-year review is an assessment of the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review.

The grizzly population in this area includes Glacier National Park and adjacent areas in Canada, and the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.  We believe grizzly bears in this ecosystem (called NCDE) have increased in numbers as we continue to see them in many areas outside the recovery zone and recent population estimates for Glacier Park exceed previous estimates.

Funding was received in 2003 to begin the process to determine the total number of bears in this ecosystem with statistical confidence.  Additional population monitoring ecosystem wide is necessary to further recovery and any potential delisting. 

More then 17% of this ecosystem is private land and the majority of bear-human conflicts and bear deaths occur on these private lands.  We must continue to work with private landowners to minimize these conflicts.

Tips for Living and Recreating in Grizzly Bear Country