Why is the grizzly endangered?
Officials listed the grizzly bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act in 1975. The grizzly bear population faces endangerment from human hunting and development that erodes their habitat.PopulationApproximately 50,000 grizzly bears once lived in North America. While Alaska contains a more significant population of grizzly bears—approximately 30,000—less than 1,200 bears remain on the U.S. mainland.HabitatGrizzly bears live in a number of habitats, including forests and mountains. Grizzly bears mostly live in western parts of the United States, with more significant populations in Wyoming and Montana.Habitat Erosion and HuntingHabitat erosion and hunting deplete the grizzly bear population. Developers, including oil and gas and timber, encroach upon the grizzly habitat, forcing the bears to relocate. The grizzly bear population has also declined because of illegal hunting.Yellowstone BearsIn 2005, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed grizzly bears found in
