Colorado Wolves

My grad thesis centered on alterations to bear behavior and ecology in "urban bears"(habituated to living on the interphase of urban and rural areas). In preparation, I spent one semester in "Independent Study", basically writing a short book on the California Black Bear (Ursus americanus californicus)=a recognized sub-species of black bear. Well, after grizzlies had been "shot out" in the chaparral of SoCal, residents wanted some bears in "their" National Forest.

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It may be surprising or even a little disappointing, but the iconic black bears that roam wild in the San Bernardino and San Gabriel mountains didn't arrive there in ancient times through a process of natural migration, but instead they arrived in 1933, in crates, in the back of trucks.

The importation of black bears was the brainchild of J. Dale Gentry, chairman of the California Fish and Game Commission from 1931 to 1934. Gentry was also a wealthy and sometimes eccentric San Bernardino businessman, best known for his ownership of the California Hotel. As an avid sportsman, Gentry believed that reintroducing bears to the local mountains would benefit the ecosystem and boost tourism.

Before the arrival of humans, grizzly bears were the unopposed monarchs of the area mountains. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the grizzly bear population was the likely reason that black bears did not naturally inhabit the area.

Joseph Dale Gentry, circa 1910, was California Fish and Game commissioner from 1931 to 1934, and was responsible for a unique plan to transplant black bears into the San Bernardino and San Gabriel mountains of Southern California. (Courtesy photo)
The California grizzly's habitat began shrinking in the late 1800s when the state's human population began to expand. The grizzly's potentially ferocious nature ultimately led to their rapid extermination. The last grizzly in Southern California was killed in 1916, in Tujunga Canyon near Sunland. The last one in the state was killed in August 1922, in Tulare County.

Gentry's transplantation plan came to fruition in October 1933, when the Fish and Game Commission captured six black bears in Yosemite, and released them in the Santa Ana River Canyon, near Seven Oaks, about 6 miles south of Big Bear Lake."

More bears followed for a total of 34. Of course, guess WHICH bears were trapped in Yosemite!! (Hint: Think campground trash cans!)

I worked on a ranch near the Ortega hyway fifty years ago, in an area where the last California Grizzly was killed in Orange county, I think around 1908. One of the old cowboys said that he remembered seeing Salmon coming up Holy Jim canyon in the late 1930's early 40's making that area perfect Grizz habitat

bobsyouruncle said:

I worked on a ranch near the Ortega hyway fifty years ago, in an area where the last California Grizzly was killed in Orange county, I think around 1908. One of the old cowboys said that he remembered seeing Salmon coming up Holy Jim canyon in the late 1930's early 40's making that area perfect Grizz habitat

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I did a beaver relocation project with the Yakama Tribe here in Washington. Moved 25 beavers into Satus Creek where they did what beavers do: Make: (1) dams and (2) little beavers. What little ones that escaped the bears, cougar & coyotes dispersed. Two years later, we had restored 250 miles of several streams and steelhead were moving into and spawning in the nearby Ahtanum Creek.

I live in Wy. Wolves had been planted here and were spreading out in the area. Of course they also protected the grizzlies. I guess they moved grizzlies all over the state. Seven years after giving us non-native wolves they were out of the park moving into areas they were not expected in. I live Northeast of Cody/Powell...farm country. Cattle too. I can see 4 towns from where I live. I routinely see wolves. The wolves have spread to the Bighorns from the Park. Grizzlies too...although the state people won't admit it. The problem with wolves and cattle is if a wolf kills your cow...well the state will pay for the critter...but by the time you realize the cow is gone you can't PROVE the cow was killed by wolves. Everything eats dead critters. You don't see every cow every day even in the area I live in. I know my neighbor lost a cow to wolves but there was no way to prove it so he could not receive compensation. How do you prove loss to wolves or grizzlies even a week later?? And let me tell y'all that live in elk country... The elk and deer herds will take a real hit when you get both wolves and grizzlies. And to let you know...Grizzlies are moving back into prairie country...at least here in Montana/Wyoming country. I personally know 9 people who endured a grizzly attack...you do not want an encounter with one. They have no fear of humans it seems. Colorado will see more than wolves in a few years. Too many people in Colorado