“The grizzly bear, on this continent, is the one animal capable of reminding the most arrogant species on Earth its true place in the world,” says Doug Peacock. “Without our arrogance and our firearms and our dominion, we’re just another flavor of meat.”
Peacock is a writer and grizzly enthusiast who spent 15 years studying and photographing the huge bruins. No doubt Peacock is dismayed by recent threats to the Yellowstone grizzly bear population in the habitat area many Americans associate with these iconic bears.
Yellowstone grizzly bear population deaths at alarming high
Grizzly bears are dying at an alarming rate inside Yellowstone, and humans are responsible for most of the carnage. At least 63 bears have been killed so far this year, up from 56 at the same point in 2024, according to the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team. That Team tracks bear deaths in Yellowstone’s federally protected Recovery Zone. Deaths within that zone, which spans parts of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, are now on pace to exceed last year’s record of 74.
“Most deaths due to humans”
The team’s data shows 85 percent of grizzly bear deaths are linked directly to human interaction, from collisions with cars to hunters mistaking grizzlies for black bears. Of the 63 deaths this year, at least 45, or 71 percent, involved humans.
Chris Servheen, former coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, told Outside, “Most grizzly deaths are due to humans every year.” He added, “The long-term numbers are what are important, so year-to-year increases indicate ongoing levels of mortality rather than an unusually bad year.” Servheen also warned that the real number of deaths is likely higher, especially ahead of rifle hunting season in the Rocky Mountains. He stated, “There are always unknown unreported mortalities in addition to the known and probable mortalities.”
Grizzlies were listed as an endangered species in 1975, making it a federal crime to kill one. Offenders can face fines of up to $100,000, loss of hunting licenses, and even jail. Killing a bear is only permitted in self-defense, and the incident must be reported to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service within five days.
Tough balancing act for rangers
Rangers sometimes must intervene to protect both bears and humans. In one case earlier this year, officials trapped and euthanized a 400-pound, 11-year-old male that had repeatedly broken into trash bins and overturned 800-pound dumpsters in search of human food.
Yellowstone officials said, “We go to great lengths to protect bears and prevent them from becoming conditioned to human food. But occasionally, a bear outsmarts us or overcomes our defenses. When that happens, we sometimes have to remove the bear from the population to protect visitors and property.”
“To know the bear, to know the unknown…”
The deaths underscore a growing challenge: Yellowstone’s grizzlies must navigate an increasingly crowded park, with visitor numbers set to break records again after more than 4.7 million tourists visited in 2024.
For a species that reminds humans of their limits, the message from Yellowstone is grim: Without careful management and respect, the Yellowstone grizzly bear population remains in constant danger from the very species they silently caution.
In a space where visitors can see the massive grizzly, their loss isn’t just a score against the bear. Humanity takes a loss as well. As Doug Peacock summed up, “A culture like ours, we fear what we don’t know, and we really hate what we fear. To know the bear, to know the unknown…. It approaches that quality of wildness that lives in all of us.”
Sources include Daily Mail.
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We were camp hosts this year in Yellowstone. Every effort is made to allow no interaction between bears and humans, but humans do not seem to understand the risk to themselves and bears. It can be very frustrating. Much of our time was spent on educating people in storage of food and anything related to food or items with a scent in it.
Anyone that would confuse a Grizzly for a Black Bear should not have a hunting license. Shooting a bear for it’s hide is really stupid. They don’t taste good.
Thanks for the article and film.
Some people like black bear meat. “Taste” is an individual perspective. It does have to be cooked well as they can be susceptible to trichinosis. I haven’t personally eaten bear, but know a number of people that do hunt and eat black bear and enjoy it. My Mom tried it and said it was excellent! The fat is rendered and used as well in traditional ways.
I would agree that no one should be confused about the look of a black bear vs a grizzly. Pretty distinct differences there.
The taste of bear meat would vary with what food they eat. If they eat garbage then their meat may not taste good. I had black bear meat that was cut like minute steaks and it tasted good. If grizzly bears are getting endangered, then they need game warden scientists that study and manage bears. They also need to educate the public on their dangers. Of course the brain dead can’t be educated. Much like what Pa did with the black bears.
Another sad story of human disregard for the true owners of the lands we use. When we were in Seward AK for our 50th anniv., we had to take a brief class on what to do in the event of a bear encounter along the trail to Exit glacier. (Given by a NPS ranger). We had no arms or bear spray either. I don’t know what the answer is to food handling vs bear safety education. Required classes! Extreme fines or jail for violations or…….. The NPS is also dealing with visitors with many different languages to convey the message. How many times and signs read “Do Not Approach…..” Yet that all important selfie has to be taken in harms way – for the animal!
This really pisses me off. What percent were from autos/trucks? Those are preventable.
“Grizzlies were listed as an endangered species in 1975…”
Incorrect!
Grizzlies were listed as a THREATENED species under the ESA and have carried that same status since. Threatened is a lower risk status than endangered.
https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R48116
Because of the very nature of grizzlies and their habitat/range needs, they will probably forever remain in “historically” low numbers and, though “recovered” by some standards/plans, in “threatened” status, unless they are delisted and move to state management, which is unlikely.
How much alternative research went into this article?
Hi, Mikal. Thank you for the clarification. I’ve been doing a little research on this subject since reading your comment a few minutes ago. I found this comment regarding grizzly bears in a summary statement in a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed rule change to a document entitled “Grizzly Bear Listing on the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife With a Revised Section 4(d) Rule; Proposed Rule”: “…the population remains likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future.” Also, according to the State Status per the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, the grizzly bear is Endangered in Washington. Also, per USGS, “’Endangered’ means a species is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. ‘Threatened’ means a species is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future.” In any event, people need to quit killing grizzlies. Have a good night. 🙂 –Diane aka Mountain Mama (black bears on my mountain property in the Cascades, but no grizzlies–yet) at RVtravel.com
We’ve spent many great days in Yellowstone over the years and it never ceases to amaze me how people treat the wildlife as if they’re domesticated cats. As horrible as it sounds, I cheer for the bison….
Hunting within the park is illegal. Article gives impression the “accidental kills are within the park. If so this is poaching.