History of Grizzly bear in Timeline

The grizzly bear, a North American brown bear subspecies, inhabits North America. It is also known as the North American brown bear or simply grizzly. They are a large bear, known for their powerful build and aggressive nature. Grizzly bears are apex predators and play a crucial role in their ecosystems. Their populations have faced challenges due to habitat loss and human encroachment, but conservation efforts are ongoing to ensure their survival.

1928: Reduction in grizzly bear species

By 1928, the number of classified grizzly bear species had been reduced to seven.

1936: Last grizzly bear killed in Arizona

In 1936, the last grizzly bear in Arizona was killed at Escudilla Mountain.

1949: Aldo Leopold noted the killing of the last Grizzly Bear in Arizona

In 1949, naturalist Aldo Leopold noted the killing of the last grizzly bear in Arizona in his book "A Sand County Almanac".

1953: Further reduction in grizzly bear species

By 1953, only one species of grizzly bear was recognized globally.

1954: Grizzly bear presence suggested in Ungava Peninsula

In 1954, an article suggested that grizzly bears might be present in the tundra areas of the Ungava Peninsula and the northern tip of Labrador-Quebec.

1963: Rausch reduced North American grizzly subspecies

In 1963, biologist Rausch reduced the number of North American grizzly bear subspecies to one, Ursus arctos middendorffi.

1975: Grizzly bear population in Yellowstone National Park

The grizzly bear population in Yellowstone National Park was 136 in 1975.

1979: Last confirmed grizzly bear sighting in Colorado

Since 1979, there has been no confirmed sighting of a grizzly bear in Colorado.

1982: National efforts for grizzly bear recovery begin

In 1982, national efforts began in the United States for the recovery plan of grizzly bears.

1986: Possible grizzly-black bear hybrid shot in Michigan

In the autumn of 1986, a bear shot in Michigan was suspected to be a grizzly-black bear hybrid due to its size and skull, but DNA testing was inconclusive.

1995: Closure of McNeil River State Game Refuge to grizzly hunting

Since 1995, the McNeil River State Game Refuge, which contains Chenik Lake, has been closed to grizzly hunting.

1996: Revelstoke Bear Aware Society education program launched

In 1996, the Revelstoke Bear Aware Society, a registered charity, launched an education program to reduce conflicts with bears.

2000: Increased grizzly population growth in Alberta

In 2000, intense DNA hair-snagging studies in Alberta, Canada, showed the grizzly population to be increasing faster than previously believed, with a population calculated at 841 bears.

2001: Grouse Mountain refuge established

In 2001, the Refuge for Endangered Wildlife located on Grouse Mountain in Vancouver was established as a home for two orphaned grizzly bears.

May 2002: Prairie grizzly population listed as extirpated in Canada

In May 2002, the Canadian Species at Risk Act listed the Prairie population of grizzly bears as extirpated in Canada.

2002: Success of Revelstoke's community education program

By 2002, the community education program in Revelstoke showed success, with a significant decrease in euthanized and relocated grizzlies.

2002: Recommendation to designate Alberta grizzly population as threatened

In 2002, the Endangered Species Conservation Committee recommended that the Alberta grizzly bear population be designated as threatened due to recent estimates of grizzly bear mortality rates.

2003: Grizzly bear sighting on Melville Island

In 2003, researchers from the University of Alberta spotted a grizzly bear on Melville Island in the high Arctic, marking the most northerly sighting ever documented.

January 2006: US Fish and Wildlife Service proposed removing Yellowstone grizzlies from list

On 9 January 2006, the US Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to remove Yellowstone grizzlies from the list of threatened and protected species.

March 2007: Grizzlies delisted in Yellowstone National Park

In March 2007, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service "de-listed" the grizzly bear population in the Yellowstone National Park area, removing Endangered Species Act protections.

September 2007: Grizzly bear killed in Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness

In September 2007, a hunter in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness ecosystem killed a male grizzly bear, providing evidence of their presence in the area.

March 2008: Release of recovery plan for Alberta grizzly population

In March 2008, a recovery plan released by the provincial government indicated that the grizzly population in Alberta was lower than previously believed.

2008: Grizzly population estimate in British Columbia

In 2008, it was estimated there were 16,014 grizzly bears in the British Columbia population, which was lower than previously estimated due to refinements in the population model.

September 2009: Protection reinstated for Yellowstone grizzlies

On 22 September 2009, U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy reinstated protection for the Yellowstone grizzly bear due to the decline of whitebark pine trees.

2010: Alberta grizzly population listed as "Threatened"

In 2010, the provincial government formally listed its population of about 700 grizzlies as "Threatened".

2012: Estimated bear population in Katmai National Park

As of 2012, the bear population in Katmai National Park and Preserve was estimated to be 2,100.

2012: Revised Grizzly bear count in British Columbia

In 2012, a revised count estimated 15,075 grizzly bears in British Columbia.

2014: Environmental impact statement initiated for North Cascades grizzly recovery

In the fall of 2014, the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife initiated the process of an environmental impact statement to begin the recovery process of grizzly bears to the North Cascades region.

March 2016: Proposal to withdraw protection from Yellowstone grizzlies

In early March 2016, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to withdraw Endangered Species Act protections from grizzly bears in and around Yellowstone National Park.

June 2017: Yellowstone grizzlies delisted

In June 2017, the Yellowstone grizzly bear population was "delisted", with arguments that the population had recovered from the threat of extinction.

2017: Removal of wildlife protections on parklands

In 2017, the Trump administration removed regulations that protected wildlife living on parklands, including federal protections on the grizzly bear in Yellowstone National Parks.

2017: Final plan for North Cascades grizzly recovery released

In the spring of 2017, a final plan and environmental impact statement was released for the recovery of grizzly bears to the North Cascades region, with a record of decision to follow.

2018: Grizzly bear genome sequenced

In 2018, the genome of the grizzly bear was sequenced, revealing it to be 2,328.64Mb in length and containing 30,387 genes.

July 2019: Yellowstone grizzlies returned to federal protection

On 30 July 2019, the Yellowstone grizzly bear was officially returned to federal protection following a lawsuit.

October 2022: Federal court to review hunting practices rule in Alaska

In October 2022, a federal district court in Alaska announced it would review a National Park Service rule concerning hunting practices, including bear baiting. The Interior Department and Park Service have decided to keep the law in effect during revisions.

November 2025: Grizzly bear attack near Bella Coola, British Columbia

In November 2025, a grizzly bear attacked a school group of 20 near Bella Coola, British Columbia, seriously injuring four people, including three children.