Alaska Grizzly Bear

Alaska Grizzly Bear is one of the world’s largest Bear species. Grizzlies are commonly found in North America, particularly in Alaska and in Canada. Today, Grizzly Bear population is much smaller than a hundred years ago. According to the last estimates, there are about 60,000 wild Grizzlies on the North American continent.

Alaska Grizzly Bears, as well as those found in Canada, are larger than those found in the northwest of America. Grizzlies have a distinctive hump over the shoulders. They measure about 8 ft in an upright position, and weigh up to 1,500 lbs. Because of their large dimensions, Grizzly Bears are no great climbers, but are good runners and will definitely outrun a human. Grizzly Bears differ in color, ranging from dark brown to whitish. Grizzlies have a large head, the profile view of which reveals a concave facial structure. Grizzly Bears get their name from the “grizzled” coat color, which is formed by light-tipped hairs.

Alaska Grizzly Bears are commonly found in Alaska, Canada and in the northwestern United States, including Montana, Idaho, Washington and Wyoming. Like most other Bears, Grizzlies are omnivores, feeding both on vegetation and animals. They are notorious scavengers, and often steal carcasses prepared by wolves. This explains the ever-burning conflict between the Bear and the wolves. However, it was only on a few occasions that the conflict ever resulted in a serious injury or a death on either side.

Alaska Grizzly Bears are thought to be the most aggressive of the existing Bear species. Most specialists attribute this behavior to their inability to quickly climb trees, which leaves no alternative for them but to deal with the danger by fighting aggressively. In general, Grizzlies do not pick on humans without provocation. However, most accidents are triggered by humans who, knowingly or unknowingly, trespass on their home ranges, approach the food or get too close to dens with nursing females in them.

Since there is a great risk of unintended provocative action against a Grizzly bear on our side, there are several basic tips to know and stick to for campers and hikers exploring Bear habitat. Bears are often attracted by food, and hence it should be stored in containers, which are called “bear canisters”. Roaming dense woods with thick ground vegetation also increases the risk of an encounter. Pepper spray is one of the most effective and humane means of personal protection, as long as keeps animals alive yet gives him a confusion strong enough to make it think of you as the last thing in the whole world to care for at the moment. The Alaska Grizzly Bear is listed as threatened, and hence it is protected in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe.