Habitat loss

Loss of habitat is generally considered to be the most significant factor threatening bears. All bears have large ranges, and grizzly bears in particular require very large areas of undisturbed land if they are to thrive. However, the rate at which remaining grizzly bear habitat is being subdivided and developed in the contiguous United States is completely unsustainable. As recently as 1920, there were grizzly bears in every western state, but in the 80 years since, they have disappeared from all but parts of Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Washington. This decline has been commensurate with the rate of the development in the west during the 20th Century. There are many people who feel that grizzly bear populations are presently secure, or that there are too many bears in some places, but the land is still being bought and developed and, one way or another, being made insufficient for the needs of grizzly bears. There is little to suggest that the trend that pushed grizzly bears to the present relic of their original range over 80 years is suddenly going to stop or even slow.

Higher income levels and increased mobility, and the ability to do a lot of work from home that used to necessitate being in town and an office, are some of the social factors responsible for the subdivision and sale of huge areas of the west. In addition, car ownership has increased significantly and with it has come a demand for new and improved roads, roads which permit faster travel, allowing commuters to live further from towns in hitherto much less populated areas. Populations are constantly on the increase in North America, and that combined with the new affluence of the modern era is creating an exponential demand for land. The grizzly bear habitat that remains is also heavily impacted by resource extractive industry, such as forestry, oil and gas exploration and mining. Within this matrix of housing and industrial development, road building and agricultural interests, the remnants of grizzly bear habitat are being fragmented and eroded at an unsustainable rate. Unless it slows and pays some heed to the needs of the grizzly it is almost certain that its populations south of Canada will cease to be viable.