A recent study by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team finds that 10 of the 16 grizzly bears that have died so far this summer in Yellowstone National Park have died of natural causes. That’s more than in previous years, when three-quarters of bear deaths have been due to run-ins with people.
“We’ve seen more natural mortality this year,” team leader Mark Haroldson told the Bozeman Daily Chronicle. “It is something that we haven’t seen before.”
According to the team, most of these deaths have been new cubs. One baby was killed by another grizzly, and three other cubs died after their mothers were killed by another bear.
“More deaths show there’s more of a need for good habitat protections around Yellowstone so bears can spread out,” said Hannah Stauts of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition.
When the grizzly bear was put on the endangered species list in 1975, there were only 150 bears lumbering around Yellowstone. That number had grown to 600 in 2010. Experts believe that the increase in bear population means more run-ins with people, as well as other bears. Bears likely are in greater conflict among themselves as food and resources must be stretched further.
Six other bears have died this summer due to interactions with humans.
Humans should try their best to protect the wildlife in Yellowstone & in all the parks. We be careful & watch their speed while driving through the parks. Try not to get to close to the animals, observe them from a distance. It is a terrible shame that six bears died because of humans not being careful. The wildlife should stay wild & be able to live their lives without the danger of humans killing them.
Humans want to experience the “wild” but seem to not have any respect for the “wild”. There has to come a time when we keep stealing their space. Wildlife deserve to live a long healthy life just as we would. If that means we are limited in exposure to the wildlife then so be it!
SAVE THE ANIMALS PROTECT THEM PLEASE WOULD YOU LIKE IF THIS HAPPENED TO YOU PEOPLE. THIS IS WILD LIFE! IM TRYING TO DO MY BEST PROTECT. YELLOWSTONE, WYOMING SAVE WILDLIFE