Relocated Grizzly Bear Emerges From Den, And She’s Not Alone

The arrival of a grizzly mother and her two cubs brings hope for wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists alike.

TRANSLOCATED FEMALE GRIZZLY IS A MOTHER

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks tells us that within just two years, the female grizzly that was released in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem emerged from her den this spring with two cubs in tow. Biologists say this event marks a milestone for grizzly bear management in America, establishing certain genetic interchange between the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem in Montana and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

ABOUT THE RIGHT AGE

Captured in Montana and released in Wyoming, the female was one of two grizzlies that were translocated through a partnership between Montana FWP, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and Yellowstone National Park. She was 4 years old at the time of the translocation and is now 6.

According to FWP grizzly bear researcher Cecily Costello, “Grizzly bears in these populations usually give birth for the first time at 5 or 6 years old, so it's not surprising from an age standpoint. It is more surprising because last year she was still very mobile and made many large, wandering movements. We wondered if that energy expenditure might reduce her chances of reproducing, but, from the photo, she appears to be in great condition.”

READ MORE: U of Montana, NASA Launch Massive Statewide Telescope Library

WE'RE PULLING FOR THE CUBS

Annual cub survival rates are just above 50 percent, and they are often slightly lower for first litters. So, it's a wait and see situation about the survival of mama grizzly's two cubs in this litter. But, even if this litter does not survive, FWP expects she will be successful in the future.

There's is a lot more fascinating information on this partnership that thus far is showing promising results. You can check all of that out on this page of the Montana FWP website.