WWA STAFF | AUGUST 16, 2017
Grizzly bear mortality in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem so far this year is relatively low compared to last year.
On the same date last year there were 26 mortalities compared to this year’s 17. (One caveat – IGBST seems to be posting more infrequently, and perhaps more slowly than last year.)
Causes of mortality are so far roughly comparable to last years with 35% of mortality from management “removals”, 24% under investigation, and 18% due to road kill.
Notable:
Last year 3 grizzlies drowned in canals, so far this year none have;
100% of management removals so far have occurred in WY;
WY accounts for 76% of all mortalities which is significantly higher than last year.
One interesting note: 2 grizzlies, one adult and one cub, were killed by other bears while they were on livestock carcasses. These have been considered “natural” by IGBST, but we would argue that these are human caused kills.
