A recent video of a bear in the Bighorn Mountains has reignited the debate over the presence of grizzlies in the area. The video, captured by Casey Jones, shows a bear with a distinctive hump between its shoulders, leading some to believe it's a grizzly. However, the identification is far from certain, as retired Wyoming Game and Fish Department biologist Mark Bruscino notes that it's difficult to tell from a brief, distant clip. This incident echoes past rumors and reports of grizzlies in the Bighorns, dating back to the early 1990s. Despite these claims, no confirmed sightings have been made in recent memory, and the only officially verified grizzly in the Bighorns in recent years was killed for preying on livestock.
The absence of confirmed grizzlies in the Bighorns can be attributed to several factors. The presence of numerous domestic sheep flocks in the area, which grizzlies are known to prey on, would likely result in frequent reports of attacks. However, Bruscino suggests that it's not impossible for an occasional disperser, typically young male bears, to wander into the Bighorns. The expansion of grizzlies across the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem further supports the possibility of occasional sightings in the Bighorns.
The challenge of distinguishing grizzlies from black bears adds to the complexity of the situation. Even professionals can struggle with identification, as evidenced by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team's internal debates. The wet coat of a grizzly can make it appear similar to a black bear, and the larger ears of a black bear can be mistaken for a grizzly's ears. This ambiguity highlights the need for caution and awareness when encountering bears in the Bighorn Mountains.
The recent incident involving aggressive black bears driving two campers from their campsite underscores the importance of bear safety protocols. Game and Fish large-carnivore specialist Dan Thompson emphasizes the need to secure food around campsites, regardless of the bear species present. As the debate over grizzlies in the Bighorns continues, it's crucial to approach the topic with caution and rely on expert advice to ensure the safety of both humans and wildlife.
