FWP releases online tool to track grizzly bear mortality

HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks released a new online tool today that provides the public with up-to-date information on known grizzly bear mortalities across the state. 

The Grizzly Bear Mortality Dashboard displays mortality information, including the various factors that contribute to grizzly bear deaths in Montana, outside of Tribal lands. By increasing transparency and providing accessible information, FWP aims to educate communities and foster a better understanding of the circumstances that often lead to bear mortalities. 

“Tracking grizzly bear mortality is a key metric when we look at bear management,” said FWP Chief of Conservation Policy Quentin Kujala. “This dashboard allows us to be transparent with the public on what kinds of mortality we’re seeing and what the causes are. It will also help reinforce our consistent message of securing attractants and being bear aware to avoid conflicts.” 

Grizzly bears in Montana are currently listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). However, Montana has petitioned to remove ESA protections from bears in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) and has supported Wyoming in petitioning to remove ESA protections from bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE).  

Montana is also home to four grizzly bear recovery zones including the NCDE, GYE, the Bitterroot Ecosystem and the Cabinet-Yaak Ecosystem. Between Montana’s portion of all four recovery zones and other areas where grizzly bears have established populations, FWP estimates that about 2,000 grizzly bears are in Montana, though a precise number is difficult to estimate.  

In recent years Montana has established a framework of statutes, regulations, rules and a new management plan that give clarity on exactly how grizzly bears would be managed in the state when ESA protections are removed. FWP has also recently relocated two bears from the NCDE to the GYE, establishing genetic connectivity.  

These actions have addressed concerns raised by previous court decisions on delisting grizzly bears and provided clarity on what grizzly bear management would look like under state management.  

A key piece of Montana’s management would be accurately estimating grizzly bear populations from year to year. One of the data points critical to this estimate is mortalities.  

“We know the public is interested and passionate about grizzly bears and their management,” Kujala said. “This dashboard lets them see what’s happening with bear mortalities on a daily basis.” 

The Grizzly Bear Mortality Dashboard will update daily at 1 p.m. The dashboard will reset to the new year in January, but data from previous years will be available through FWP’s Grizzly Bear Management webpage.