The grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis), a North American marvel, is known for its big shoulder hump and fearsome claws. Roaming from Alaska down to Wyoming, these omnivores keep the ecosystem in balance by spreading seeds and regulating the food chain. A cool fact: The grizzly’s amazing sense of smell can detect food from miles away! Grizzlies are a keystone species, which means their presence signals a healthy ecosystem. Their absence leads to unbalanced populations of herbivores, which results in overgrazing and environmental damage.

Despite their might, grizzlies face dire threats. Once roaming the continent, they now live in only about 2 percent of their original range within the lower 48 states. Within this range, grizzly bears are found in the states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Wyoming in the U.S.A. Threats to grizzlies are overhunting and the loss of habitat to human activities. Since grizzlies were listed as endangered in 1975, their numbers have grown from fewer than 800 to nearly 2,000 bears in the lower 48 states (as of 2023). This success story will continue if people work to prevent conflicts with grizzly bears and protect their habitats.