The BC Wildlife Branch estimates that 10,000 to 13,000 Grizzly bears live in British Columbia; conservative estimates which are being corroborated by active research at 20 different research sites in the province.

There have been criticisms of these estimates, but no other jurisdiction in North America has better methodologies, and none are as satisfied with their population estimates, particularly in such heavily-forested habitats (MELP 1999).

Grizzly bears are neither threatened nor endangered in British Columbia. They are classified as vulnerable (see table below), mainly because of social intolerance by humans to living in close proximity to bears, and agricultural and industrial damage to, and fragmentation of, important habitats.
(Banci 1991; McLellan and Banci 1999)

SPECIES RISK CATEGORIES
(colours used by BC list)
ENDANGERED or THREATENED
Species faces imminent extirpation or extinction
VULNERABLE or SENSITIVE
Species of concern due to sensitivity to human activities or natural events
NO LISTING
Species not at risk
(Source: Harper 1994)

Current grizzly bear populations in areas such as the Kootenays, Northern Rockies, and Northwestern BC are very healthy. The population in the southeast, which is shared by Alberta and Montana, has been hunted continuously by non-natives for nearly 200 years and by First Nations people for uncounted generations.

An intensive, independent 20 year research program, conducted by Dr. Bruce McLellan in the Flathead River Valley, has determined that this grizzly bear population increased during the 1980s and 1990s at the rate of 6 - 8% per year net, after hunting and other causes of mortality.



"The public should know that...over much of their range, [Canadian Grizzly bear] populations remain healthy."

(1999 Report by the World Conservation Union Bear Specialist Group)




To find out more about risks to grizzlies, try the following links:

BC Wildlife Federation





Half of Canada's grizzly bear population lives in British Columbia.