Grizzly Bears and Washington Residents
(Source: Responsive Management Report, Spring 2005)

A survey of residents from Skagit and Whatcom Counties of Washington state revealed widespread support for grizzly bear recovery in the North Cascades. A majority of respondents (52%) reported strong support for recovery and 24% reported moderate support for recovery. Support for grizzly bear recovery was about the same in each county.

Wildlife agencies are determining if grizzly bears will need to be relocated to the North Cascades to recover the population. Relocating bears can be controversial. However, 33% of the respondents in the survey reported that they would be more supportive of grizzly bear recovery in the North Cascades if 5-10 bears had to be added, while only 15% said they would be less supportive.

Very few realize that full recovery of the grizzly bear population in the North Cascades will take around 100 years. Nearly everyone knew that it is legal to kill a grizzly bear in self-defense or defense of other people. However, almost a third did not know that it is illegal to kill a grizzly bear if it were to attack livestock.

Almost everyone (91%) agreed that residents and visitors to the North Cascades could prevent most problems with grizzly bears by taking a few simple precautions and avoiding areas where grizzly bears are known to be present.

The results of the study are being used to assist the Grizzly Bear Outreach Project in determining if and how grizzly bears should be reintroduced into Washington state. The study measured residents' attitudes and opinions prior to the project, and another survey will be conducted by Responsible Management this spring to determine progress.