Conflicts between man and grizzly bears in the national parks of North America

During the period 1970-73, twenty-three persons were injured by grizzly bears in the national parks of North America. Persons were hiking or riding in backcountry prior to 14 (61%) injuries; were camping in backcountry prior to 3 (13%) injuries, and were camping in a developed area prior to 4 (17%) injuries. Two (9%) injuries were preceded by provocation of the attacking bear. Females bears with cubs were the most dangerous age/sex class of grizzly and responsible for a minimum of 17 (74.9%) of all injuries. Most injuries involved sudden surprise of the female at close range. Very old grizzlies were another age class disproportionately involved in incidents with man. Careful monitoring is recommended for difficult bears from this age segment. Examination of the current management programme in Glacier National Park, U.S.A., suggests that management strategies exist which can both encourage the long-term survival of free-ranging grizzly populations and also provide park visitors with a high degree of safety regarding females with cubs, as well as other age/sex classes. Ways of avoiding attack by grizzly bear point to a joint responsibility of park managers and park visitors. Circumstances which preceded aggressive encounters which did not result in human injury are discussed. In the event of actual attack, esecially after sudden surprise of a female with cubs, data suggest that playing dead can help to decrease the intensity of the attack. Garbage and human food disposal continues to be a problem, though in most parks the situation was improved. Grizzlies who forage on human food or garbage in close proximity to people become habituted to man and also more dangerous to visitors. The effectiveness of management programmes is assessed with respect to human safety and grizzly bear preservation for relevant North American national parks. Human safety is being adequately provided for in many and the remaining problem areas which can be made safer by improved management are identified. However, several park grizzly bear populations appear to be headed for elimination during the next 50 years unless effective regional management plans are adopted soon. The grizzly bear is worth disproportionate study emphasis compared to other animal species in national parks because it uniquely stimulates human imagination and thought, and can help man relate meaningfully to his own genetic heritage and to natural environments. The grizzly is a wilderness indicator species whose protection encourages survival of many other species and their wild habitat. "