A grizzly cub was killed and its mother wounded in a hunting incident north of Gardiner, Mont. this week, putting the species one step closer to a return to federal protection.

 

Earlier this week, U.S. Geological Survey researchers said they’ve documented 42 grizzlies deaths this year, but the actual tally could be closer to 80 animals. Officials estimate that roughly two-thirds of citizen-caused grizzly deaths go unreported. So far, 17 of the bear deaths involved incidents with hunters.

One more female grizzly death would put the Greater Yellowstone population past a nine-percent mortality threshold that, if exceeded two years in a row, will prompt wildlife managers to reconsider putting the grizzly back onto the Endangered Species List.

Mel Frost, spokeswoman with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, said the state’s grizzly bear managers aren’t sure whether the cub is a male or a female. 

According to Frost, the hunter was peering through a spotting scope with the grizzly sow approached him. “It was a classic grizzly bear encounter,” she said. “He shot the sow. [The bullet} went though her and hit the cub and killed it. What we don’t know at this point is whether the sow is alive or not. She went off into the brush.”

The hunter escaped unharmed.

Frost said bear managers have thus far avoided the site of the incident, but have searched the surrounding area for the sow. “We haven’t even been in to where the body of the cub is,” she said. “It’s quite dangerous to have a potentially injured grizzly bear out there. Over the next few days we will try to find out whether she is alive or dead.”

Last week, grizzly researchers reported that male grizzly bears have already surpassed a mortality threshold set at 15 percent of the population. If that threshold is exceeded for three consecutive years, it would prompt a management review by state agencies that could result in grizzly’s being placed back under Endangered Species Act protection.

Greater Yellowstone’s grizzly population is estimated higher than last year, from 571 bears last year to 596 bears. Researchers made the estimate based on 84 new cubs observed with 44 females.