Grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) COSEWIC assessment and update update status report: assessment

Assessment summary – May 2002 (Prairie population)

Common Name:
Grizzly Bear

Scientific name:
Ursus arctos

Status:
Extirpated

Reason for designation:
Extirpated in the prairie region of Canada

Occurrence:
Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba

Status history:
Canadian range considered as one population and designated Not at Risk in April 1979. Split into two populations in April 1991 (prairie population and northwestern population). Prairie population designated Extirpated in April 1991. The species disappeared from the prairies in the 1880s. Status confirmed in May 2000 and in May 2002. Last assessment based on an update status report.

Assessment summary – May 2002 (Northwestern population)

Common Name:
Grizzly Bear

Scientific name:
Ursus arctos

Status:
Special concern

Reason for designation:
The grizzly bear's habitat is at risk from expanding industrial, residential and recreational developments. Habitat and population fragmentation are underway in the southern part of the bear's distribution. The life history characteristics of this bear make it particularly sensitive to human-caused mortality (including hunting, poaching, accidents and nuisance kills). Its behavior frequently brings it into conflict with people, leading to increased mortality where human activities expand. It has disappeared from a substantial part of its historic range, but there are still over 26 000 grizzly bears in Canada. The grizzly bear's area of occupancy has not decreased substantially over the past 20 years. The future of several populations that are either completely or mostly isolated is highly uncertain and dependent on conservation.

Occurrence:
Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, British Columbia, Alberta

Status history:
Canadian range considered as one population and designated Not at Risk in April 1979. Split into two populations in April 1991 (prairie population and northwestern population). Northwestern population designated Special Concern in April 1991. The status was re-examined and confirmed in May 2002. Last assessment based on an update status report.