Grizzly Bear Mortality in the GYE, 1989-2005

A rare natural mortality in the Yellowstone backcountry.
Digital Video © Carl Core/RavenImages

(Information comes from the annual IGBST Yellowstone Grizzly Bear Investigations, except where noted.)

 

2005

2004

Grizzly Bear Mortalities (Mark A. Haroldson, Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team; and
Kevin Frey, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks)

We continue to use the definitions provided in Craighead et al. (1988) to classify grizzly bear mortalities in the GYE relative to the degree of certainty regarding each event. Those cases in which a carcass is physically inspected or when a management removal occurs are classified as “known” mortalities. Those instances where evidence strongly suggests a mortality has occurred but no carcass is recovered are classified as “probable” mortalities. When evidence is circumstantial, with no prospect for additional information, a “possible” mortality is designated.

We documented 26 grizzly bear mortalities during 2004. Nineteen (including 9 females and 10 males) were known human-caused bear deaths. Two of these occurred >10 miles outside the Recovery Zone in Wyoming. Both of these instances involved male grizzly bears that were misidentified and mistakenly killed by black bear hunters over bait. Seven of the human-caused mortalities were management removals resulting from a variety of causes, including anthropogenic food rewards (n = 2), property damage (n = 3), livestock depredation (n = 1), and nuisance activity in a campground (n = 1). In addition to the mistaken identity kill outside the 10-mile perimeter, we documented 7 other known hunting-related mortalities. Five of the hunting-related bear mortalities were the result of chance encounters between bears and hunters; 4 of these involved females with yearlings. The 2 remaining hunting-related mortalities resulted from conflicts at hunter killed ungulate carcasses; 1 of these involved a female with yearlings. The 3 remaining human-caused mortalities resulted from 1 road kill, 1 defense of life at a backcountry camp, and 1 potential poisoning that remains under investigation. Five natural mortalities were documented during 2004. Two were known COY deaths, 2 were probable COY losses from 2 radiomarked females. We also considered the humane removal of a subadult male bear that was mortally wounded by another bear a natural mortality.

Cause of death could not be determined for 2 mortalities documented during 2004. During June, an outfitter found the remains of a subadult male bear that likely died during the fall of 2003. Cause of death for this bear could not be determined. Bear #456 was handled and fitted with a GPS collar on 14 June 2004. Data on the collar indicated that #456 died approximately 15 days after being handled. The carcass had been mostly scavenged by the time it was discovered on 12 July and cause of death could not be determined.

The Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan (USFWS 1993:41-44) provides criteria for determining if human-caused grizzly bear mortalities have exceeded annual thresholds established in the plan. Appendix F of the Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan (USFWS 1993) intended that known mortalities occurring within the Yellowstone Grizzly Bear Recovery Zone and a 10-mile perimeter area be counted against mortality quotas. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service clarified this with an amendment to the Recovery Plan. In addition, beginning in 2000, probable mortalities were included in the calculation of mortality thresholds, and COY orphaned as a result of human causes will be designated as probable mortalities (see Appendix A in Schwartz and Haroldson 2001). Prior to these changes, COY orphaned after 1 July were designated possible mortalities (Craighead et al. 1988). Sex of probable mortalities will be randomly assigned as described in Appendix A in Schwartz and Haroldson (2001). Under these criteria, 17 known human-caused grizzly bear mortalities, including 6 adult females and 9 total females, were applied to the calculation of mortality threshold (USFWS 1993) for 2004. None of the females killed in encounters with hunters had COY, in all instances, investigators determined that offspring were yearlings. Using these results, total human-caused mortality was under, but female mortalities exceeded the annual mortality thresholds during 2004. The female mortality threshold had not been exceeded since 1997.

Bear	Sex	Age	Date	Type	Location	Cause
Unm	M	SAd	Fall/03	Known	Fishhawk Cr., SNF	Undetermined cause, remains found by outfitter on 6/17/04
G92	M	Ad	4/12	Known	Clark's Fork, private-WY	Human-caused: management removal for repeated nuisance activity at human habitations and breaking into secured buildings.
Unm	M	SAd	5/1	Known	Grass Cr., State-WY	Human-caused: mistaken identity, illegal, shot over black bear bait. (a)
Unm	M	Ad	5/7	Known	Timber Cr., BLM-WY	Human-caused: self defense, bear was shot as it came into horn-hunter camp at night.
431	M	SAd	5/10	Known	Sweeny Cr., BLM-WY	Human-caused: mistaken identity, illegal, bear was shot over black bear bait. (a)
Unm	M	COY	5/22	Known	Lamar River, YNP	Natural mortality, skull crushed by large predator.
Unm	F	COY	6/7	Known	Lamar River, YNP	Natural mortality, specific cause undetermined, necropsy report was inconclusive, but likely not predation.
348	M	Ad	6/26	Known	Deer Cr., private-WY	Human-caused: management removal for repeated livestock depredation.
451	F	SAd	6/29	Known	N. Fork Shoshone, SNF	Human-caused: management removal for numerous food rewards from garbage and repeated property damage.
456	M	Ad	6/29	Known	W. DuNoir Cr., SNF	Undetermined cause, died 6/29, was captured 6/14. Carcass was approximately 12 km from capture site.
Unm	Unk	COY	5/3-7/15	Probable	Pilgrim Cr., GTNP	Natural mortality: specific cause unknown, single cub of bear #399 lost between 5/3 and 7/15, location is approximate, estimate is an average location for the interval.
Unm	Unk	COY	7/18-8/10	Probable	Wapiti Cr., GNF	Natural mortality: specific cause unknown, 1 of 2 cubs of Bear #213 lost between 7/18 and 8/10, location is approximate, estimated as average location for the interval.
372	M	Ad	8/9	Known	Paint Cr., SNF	Human-caused: management removal for breaking into buildings.
305	F	Ad	9/2	Known	Big Cr., private-WY	Human-caused, management removal for repeatedly breaking into buildings, 2 yearlings (G94 and G95) were relocated to Fox Cr., SNF. Bear had recently been shot with #8 bird shot.
Unm	F	Ad	9/3	Known	Falls Cr., BTNF	Human-caused: self defense, hunting related at elk carcass, female with yearling(s), minor injuries to hunter and guide.
Unm	F	SAd	9/7	Known	Pebble Cr., YNP	Human-caused: management removal for campground depredation.
G80	M	Ad	9/8	Known	Nez Perce Cr., YNP	Human-caused: road kill, bear was hit and killed by vehicle.
Unm	F	Ad	9/11	Known	Fishhawk Cr., SNF	Human-caused: self defense, hunting related, chance encounter, female with yearling.
Unm	M	SAd	9/25	Known	S. Fork Shoshone, private-WY	Natural: humane removal, bear was badly injured by another bear and would have died, was removed due to extent of injuries. Bear had recently been shot with #2 steel shot.
G97	F	SAd	9/28	Known	Eagle Cr., SNF	Human-caused: management removal for numerous food rewards.
417	M	Ad	10/3	Known	N. Fork Fish Cr., BTNF	Human-caused: self defense, hunting related, chance encounter while hunters were in pursuit of game, human injuries.
Unm	F	Ad	10/9	Known	Crandall, Cr., SNF	Human-caused: self defense, hunting related, chance encounter, female with 3 yearlings charged hunter.
Unm	F	Ad	10/9	Known	Silver Cr., SNF	Human-caused: self defense, hunting related, chance encounter, female with 2 yearlings charged hunter.
220	M	Ad	10/19	Known	Open Cr., BTNF	Human-caused: self defense, hunting related, bear came in on carcass with hunter and guide.
Mkd	M	Ad	10/31	Known	Spanish Cr., GNF	Human-caused: likely accidental poisoning, bear raided hunting camp tent that was unused for a period of time. Bear was marked, but unable to determine number.
172	F	Ad	11/11	Known	Pacific Cr., BTNF	Human-caused: self defense, hunting related, chance encounter on trail, female with 2 yearlings charged hunter.

(a) Occurred > 10 miles outside the Recovery Zone

2003

Grizzly Bear Mortalities (Mark A. Haroldson, Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team; and
Kevin Frey, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks)

We continue to use the definitions provided in Craighead et al. (1988) to classify grizzly bear mortalities in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem relative to the degree of certainty regarding each event. Those cases in which a carcass is physically inspected or when a management removal occurs are classified as "known" mortalities. Those instances where evidence strongly suggests a mortality has occurred but no carcass is recovered are classified as "probable" mortalities. When evidence is circumstantial, with no prospect for additional information, a "possible" mortality is designated.

The Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan (USFWS 1993: 41-44) provides criteria for determining if known human-caused grizzly bear mortalities have exceeded annual thresholds. Although not clearly stated, Appendix F of the Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan (USFWS 1993) intended that only known human-caused grizzly bear mortalities occurring within the Yellowstone Grizzly Bear Recovery Zone and a 10-mile perimeter area count against mortality quotas. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has clarified this oversight with an amendment to the Recovery Plan. In addition, beginning in 2000, probable mortalities were included in the calculation of mortality thresholds, and COY orphaned as a result of human causes will be designated as probable mortalities (see Appendix A). Prior to these changes, COY orphaned after 1 July were designated possible mortalities (Craighead et al. 1988). Sex of probable mortalities will be randomly assigned as described in Appendix A of Schwartz and Haroldson (2001).

We documented 18 grizzly bear mortalities during 2003. Twelve were known human-caused bear deaths; 1 was a possible human-caused mortality. One of the known human-caused grizzly bear mortalities occurred >10 miles outside the Recovery Zone in Wyoming. This instance was a case of mistaken identity by a black bear hunter. There were 2 management removals, both occurred in Wyoming and were due to site conflicts where the nuisance individual obtained a food reward. In addition to the mistaken identity kill outside the 10-mile perimeter, we documented 3 known and 1 possible hunting-related mortalities. The 3 known hunting-related mortalities were incidents of self-defense. The 6 remaining human-caused mortalities were from 1 defense-of-life kill in which the person sustained injury from a female with young, 1 accidental mortality of a yearling female by Wildlife Services during a wolf (Canis lupus) control action, 1 road kill, and 3 mortalities that remain under investigation.

Possible human-caused mortalities and known or probable human-caused mortalities occurring >10 miles outside the Recovery Zone are not included in the calculation of mortality thresholds (see Appendix A in Schwartz and Haroldson 2001). Thus, 11 known human-caused grizzly bear mortalities, including 3 adult females and 6 total females, were applied to the calculation of mortality threshold (USFWS 1993) for 2003. Using these results, both total human-caused and female mortalities were under annual mortality thresholds.

Three natural mortalities were documented during 2003. All were probable COY losses from 2 radiomarked females. One female lost 2 COY between late May and the end of July. The second female lost a COY between late July and mid-September.

Cause of death could not be determined for 2 mortalities documented during 2003. The carcass of bear #422 exhibited significant fight wounds, but was found within 100 m of the highway just north of Jackson Lake Dam. The necropsy could not rule out vehicle impact as a possible cause of death. The second instance involved a hunting guide who found the skull of an adult bear during the fall of 2003. This bear, for which sex was unknown, likely died during 2002.

Bear	Sex	Age	Date	Type	Location	Cause
Mkd	M	SAd	2003	Known	BTNF	Human-caused: under investigation
422	M	Ad	4/26-4/27	Known	Snake River, GTNP	Undetermined cause. Fight with another bear, or vehicle impact
G86	M	SAd	5/12	Known	N. Fork Shoshone, private-WY	Human-caused: management removal
Unm	M	Ad	5/26	Known	Owl Cr., SNF	Human-caused: mistaken identity kill by black bear hunter (a)
264	F	Ad	6/14	Known	Solfatara Cr., YNP	Human-caused: road kill *
Unm	F	Ad	6/25	Known	Tom Miner Basin, GNF	Human-caused: self defense, female with young of unknown age charged and injured hiker, hiker shot and killed bear.
Unm	F	SAd	7/13	Known	Sunlight Cr., SNF	Human-caused: yearling female accidently killed during wolf capture operation
G82	M	SAd	7/13	Known	Line Cr., private-WY	Human-caused: management removal
Unm	Unk	cub	5/23-7/31	Probable	Moose Cr., GTNP	Natural: COY of bear #412 lost 1 of 2 COY
Unm	Unk	cub	5/23-7/31	Probable	Moose Cr., GTNP	Natural: COY of bear #412 lost 1 of 2 COY
Unm	F	SAd	2003	Known	BTNF	Human-caused: under investigation
Unm	Unk	cub	7/20-9/18	Probable	Alum Cr., YNP	Natural: COY of Bear #196 lost 1 of 3 COY
Unm	F	Ad	9/24	Known	Tough Cr., SNF	Human-caused: self defense, hunting related, under investigation
Unm	F	SAd	10/4	Known	Squaw Cr., SNF	Human-caused: self defense, hunting related, under investigation
Unm	M	SAd	10/18	Known	Piney Cr., SNF	Human-caused: self defense, hunting related, under investigation
Mkd	M	Ad	2003	Known	SNF	Human-caused: under investigation
Unm	Unk	Unk	11/7-11/9	Possible	Taylor's Fork, GNF	Human-caused: under investigation. Reports of grizzly bear shot near hunter's camp
Unm	Unk	Ad	Fall/02	Known	N. Fork Butte Cr., SNF	Undetermined cause: Skull in possession of hunting guide, bear likely died during 2002, under investigation

(a) Occurred > 10 miles outside the Recovery Zone

* (wildraven note: This is a bear that I'd known since 1995, pictured here when she was probably 5 years old, and before she was captured and collared because of human stupidity. I named her Obsidian before she had the number 264, and was glad I did because she deserved more than a number. She was a great bear, and I miss her. © Carl Core/RavenImages)

2002

Grizzly Bear Mortalities (Mark A. Haroldson, Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team; and
Kevin Frey, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks)

We continue to use the definitions provided in Craighead et al. (1988) to classify grizzly bear mortalities in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem relative to the degree of certainty regarding each event. Those cases in which a carcass is physically inspected or when a management removal occurs are classified as "known" mortalities. Those instances where evidence strongly suggests a mortality has occurred but no carcass is recovered are classified as "probable" mortalities. When evidence is circumstantial, with no prospect for additional information, a "possible" mortality is designated.

The Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan (USFWS 1993: 41-44) provides criteria for determining if known human-caused grizzly bear mortalities have exceeded annual thresholds. Although not clearly stated, Appendix F of the Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan (USFWS 1993) intended that only known human-caused grizzly bear mortalities occurring within the Yellowstone Grizzly Bear Recovery Zone and a 10-mile perimeter area count against mortality quotas. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has clarified this oversight with an amendment to the Recovery Plan. In addition, beginning in 2000, probable mortalities were included in the calculation of mortality thresholds, and COY orphaned as a result of human causes will be designated as probable mortalities (see Appendix A). Prior to these changes, COY orphaned after 1 July were designated possible mortalities (Craighead et al. 1988). Sex of probable mortalities will be randomly assigned as described in Appendix A of Schwartz and Haroldson (2001).

We documented 27 grizzly bear mortalities during 2002. Seventeen were known human-caused bears deaths, and 2 were possible human-caused mortalities. Two of the known human-caused grizzly bear mortalities occurred >10 miles outside the Recovery Zone in Wyoming. Both of these instances were livestock related management actions. There were 6 other management removals, 4 in Montana (including female #101 and 2 male cubs) and 2 in Wyoming. We documented 4 known and 2 possible hunting related mortalities. The 2 possible mortalities both involved females with young. Both females were wounded in the encounters (1 with an arrow, the other was shot), but evidence at the site suggested neither died. Possible human-caused mortalities and known or probable human-caused mortalities occurring >10 miles outside the Recovery Zone are not included in the calculation of mortality thresholds (see Appendix A in Schwartz and Haroldson 2001). Thus, 15 known human-caused grizzly bear mortalities, including 4 adult females and 7 total females, were applied to the calculation of mortality threshold (USFWS 1993) for 2002. Using these results, both total human-caused and female mortalities were under annual mortality thresholds.

Four natural mortalities were documented during 2002. Two were COY that likely died from predation. One probable cub loss from a radio-collared female occurred between mid-July and early October. The remaining natural mortality was a 16-year-old female discovered in Porcupine Creek, Gallatin National Forest, during May. Necropsy of this bear found no evidence of human involvement and indicated malnutrition was the likely cause of death.

Cause of death could not be determined for 4 mortalities documented during 2002. One of these bears (#308) died during the fall of 2001 at the site of a hunter-killed elk (Cervus elaphus). She was accompanied by 2 COY when she died. Another radio-collared female (#403) died during mid-August shortly after beginning transported to Sunlight Creek, Shoshone National Forest, from near Dubios, Wyoming. Her carcass was discovered within 100 meters of the main road, and within 3.8 km of the release site. The fate of her 2 yearlings transported with her is unknown. A subadult male (#414) died during the Summer or Fall of 2002, also from undetermined cause. This bear was discovered 6 km from the capture site at the mouth of a den. The remains of a grizzly bear of undetermined sex was discovered in the Rock Creek drainage, Targhee National Forest, during the Fall of 2002.

Bear	Sex	Age	Date	Type	Location	Cause
308	F	Ad	Fall/01	Known	Five Pockets, SNF	Undetermined cause of death
Unm	Unk	Unk	Spring/02	Known	Rock Creek, TNF	Undetermined cause of death
380	M	Ad	4/2	Known	N. Fork Shoshone, private-WY	Human-caused: management removal due to nuisance activity and property damage
Unm	F	Ad	5/15	Known	Porcupine Cr., GNF	Natural: specific cause unknown
Unm	F	SAd	6/11	Known	Leidy Creek, BTNF	Human-caused: hunting related, mistaken identity
Unm	M	COY	6/21	Known	Mary Bay, YNP	Human-caused: hit by vehicle
Unm	Unk	COY	7/13-10/3	Probable	Lower Geyser Basin, YNP	Natural: specific cause unknown, COY of #193
Unm	Unk	COY	7/22	Known	Pelican Creek, YNP	Natural: specific cause unknown
Unm	F	Ad	8/2	Known	Gallatin River, YNP	Human-caused: hit by vehicle
404	M	Ad	8/9	Known	Lime Creek, BTNF	Human-caused, management removal for repeated livestock depredation (a)
340	M	Ad	8/11	Known	Little Blind Bull Cr., BTNF	Human-caused: livestock related (a)
403	F	Ad	8/13-9/11	Known	Sunlight Creek, SNF	Undetermined cause of death
101	F	Ad	8/31	Known	Horse Butte, private-MT	Human-caused: management (to zoo) due to numerous food rewards and property damage
G83	M	COY	8/31	Known	Horse Butte, private-MT	Human-caused, management removal (zoo), COY of #101
G84	M	COY	8/31	Known	Horse Butte, private-MT	Human-caused, management removal (zoo), COY of #101
G85	M	SAd	9/6	Known	S. Fork Madison, private-MT	Human-caused: management removal due to property damage and food reward
375	M	Ad	9/10	Known	Crandall Cr., private-WY	Human-caused: defense of life
Unm	Unk	COY	9/21	Known	Sunlight Creek, SNF	Natural: specific cause unknown
346	F	Ad	9/20	Known	Sawtelle Peak, CTNF	Human-caused: under investigation
Unm	F	Yearling	9/20	Known	Sawtelle Peak, CTNF	Human-caused: under investigation
Unm	M	Ad	9/23	Known	S. Fork Buffalo, BTNF	Human-caused: hunting related
Unm	F	Ad	9/28	Possible	Cooney Cr., CTNF	Human-caused: hunting related
Unm	Unk	Ad	10/9	Known	Papoose Cr., SNF	Human-caused: hunting related
Unm	F	SAd	10/19	Known	Woody Cr., BTNF	Human-caused: hunting related
Unm	F	Ad	11/6	Possible	Ishawooa Cr., SNF	Human-caused: hunting related
311	F	Ad	11/8	Known	Crandall Cr., private-WT	Human-caused: management removal due to property damage and repeated nuisance activity
414	M	SAd	Fall/02	Known	Leigh Canyon, GTNP	Undetermined cause of death

(a) Occurred > 10 miles outside the Recovery Zone

>

2001

Grizzly Bear Mortalities (Mark A. Haroldson, Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team; and
Kevin Frey, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks)

We continue to use the definitions provided in Craighead et al. (1988) to classify grizzly bear mortalities in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem relative to the degree of certainty regarding each event. Those cases in which a carcass is physically inspected or when a management removal occurs are classified as "known" mortalities. Those instances where evidence strongly suggests a mortality has occurred but no carcass is recovered are classified as "probable" mortalities. When evidence is circumstantial, with no prospect for additional information, a "possible" mortality is designated.

The Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan (USFWS 1993: 41-44) provides criteria for determining if known human-caused grizzly bear mortalities have exceeded annual thresholds. Although not clearly stated, Appendix F of the Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan (USFWS 1993) intended that only known human-caused grizzly bear mortalities occurring within the Yellowstone Grizzly Bear Recovery Zone and a 10-mile perimeter area count against mortality quotas. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has clarified this oversight with an amendment to the Recovery Plan. In addition, beginning in 2000, probable mortalities were included in the calculation of mortality thresholds, and COY orphaned as a result of human causes will be designated as probable mortalities (see Appendix A). Prior to these changes, COY orphaned after 1 July were designated possible mortalities (Craighead et al. 1988). Sex of probable mortalities will be randomly assigned as described in Appendix A of Schwartz and Haroldson (2001).

Of the 31 mortalities documented during 2001, 20 were human-caused. Of these 20, 19 were known and 1 was probable. Only 1 of the known human-caused grizzly bear mortalities occurred >10 miles outside the Recovery Zone, and as such, was not applied to the mortality threshold. This instance which occurred during the spring black bear hunting season near Jackson, Wyoming, was also the only reported hunting-related grizzly bear death during 2001. Sixteen of the known human-caused mortalities were the result of management removals, 13 and 3 in Wyoming and Montana, respectively. Nineteen known and probable human-caused grizzly bear mortalities, including 6 adult females and 2 subadults (8 total females), were applied to the calculation of mortality threshold (USFWS 1993) for 2001. Using these results, both total human-caused and female mortalites were under annual mortality thresholds.

Five natural mortalities, including 4 known and 1 probable were documented during 2001. One of these bear deaths likely occurred during the fall of 2000. Evidence suggested that 2 known COY losses were the result of predation by wolves. Specific cause of death for the other 2 bears could not be determined, but circumstances suggested no human involvement. The 1 probable COY loss occurred during early July and involved the loss of a single cub from a radio-collared female that had been accompanied by twins.

Six mortalities from unknown causes were also documented during 2001. Three of these bears likely died during the fall of 2000. Their remains were discovered spring 2001 and subsequent investigation could not determine cause of death. The carcass of a yearling male bear was discovered in a sheep allotment where an illegal bear mortality occurred during 2000, but cause of death could not be determined. A radio-collared subadult female died during mid-August, but cause of death could not be determined. The remaining mortality involved the apparent loss of an adult female within a week after she was involved in a management action near Carter Creek, Wyoming, and was transported to the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. We currently consider this a probable mortality, pending additional investigation that will occur during the spring of 2002.

Bear	Sex	Age	Date	Type	Location	Cause
Unm	M	Ad	Fall/00	Known	Fishhawk Cr., SNF	Unknown cause: bones and hair found along trail
Unm	Ukn	SAd	Fall/00	Known	Yellowstone River, YNP	Unknown cause: probably natural, skull and bone found
290	M	Ad	Fall/00	Known	Twin Lakes, YNP	Unknown cause
Unm	Unk	Ad	Fall/00	Known	BTNF	Unknown cause
Mkd	M	SAd	Spring/01	Probable	SNF	Human-caused
376	M	Ad	4/24	Known	Rock Spring Canyon, BTNF	Human-caused: killed by an archery hunter(a)
104	F	Ad	5/14	Known	N. Fork Shoshone, SNF	Human-caused: killed by vehicle, 1 yearling survived
378	M	Ad	6/13	Known	S. Fork Shoshone, private, WY	Human-caused: management removal for cattle depredation
Unm	M	Yearling	6/24	Known	Pat O'Hara Mtn., SNF	Unkown cause
Unm	Unk	SAd	6/24	Known	Otter Creek, YNP	Natural, specific cause unknown
Unm	M	COY	7/1	Known	Alum Creek, YNP	Natural: predation, bite width consistent with wolf predation
Unm	Unk	COY	7/2-7/9	Probable	Grayling Cr., YNP	Natural: bear #346 lost 1 of 2 COY between 7/2 and 7/9
325	F	Ad	7/3	Known	Yellowstone River, private-MT	Human-caused: live management for nuisance activity, garbage, and livestock depredation
G72	M	Ad	7/13	Known	Cook Pass, private-MT	Human-caused, management removal for garbage
382	M	SAd	7/30	Known	Wind River, private-WY	Human-caused, management removal for camp depredation and food reward
Unm	F	COY	8/10	Known	Lamar Valley, YNP	Natural: predation by wolves
357	F	SAd	8/10-8/21	Known	Fivemile Cr., SNF	Unknown cause
G73	M	Ad	8/16	Known	Silver Gate, private-MT	Human-caused: management removal for nuisance activity, property damage, and garbage
358	F	Ad	8/26	Known	Horse Cr., SNF	Human-caused: management removal, repeated property damage, garbage, grain
G74	M	COY	8/26	Known	Horse Cr., SNF	Human-caused: management removal, COY of bear #358
G75	F	Ad	9/5	Known	Dunn Cr., private-WY	Human-caused: management removal, numerous incidents, garbage property damage, 2 yearlings relocated
135	F	Ad	9/12	Known	N. Fork Shoshone, private-WY	Human-caused, management removal, property damage and food
128	F	Ad	9/14	Known	Horse Cr., private-WY	Human-caused, management removal, property damage and food
G78	M	COY	9/14	Known	Horse Cr., SNF	Human-caused: management removal, COY of #128
G79	F	COY	9/14	Known	Horse Cr., SNF	Human-caused: management removal, COY of #128
385	M	Ad	9/27	Known	Wind River, private-WY	Human-caused: management removal, cattle and beehive depredation
391	M	SAd	9/29	Known	Warm Springs Creek, private-WY	Human-caused: management removal, garbage and property damage
Mkd	F	Ad	Fall/01	Probable	TNF	Unknown cause
Unm	M	Ad	Fall/01	Known	S. Fork Shoshone, SNF	Human-caused
G76	F	Yearling	10/28	Known	Lava Creek, private-WY	Human-caused: management removal, food rewards
153	M	Ad	11/7	Known	Sunlight Cr., private-WY	Human-caused: management removal for property damage, and food reward

(a) Occurred > 10 miles outside the Recovery Zone

2000

Grizzly Bear Mortalities (Mark A. Haroldson, Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team; and
Kevin Frey, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks)

We continue to use the definitions provided in Craighead et al. (1988) to classify grizzly bear mortalities in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem relative to the degree of certainty regarding each event. Those cases in which a carcass is physically inspected or when a management removal occurs are classified as "known" mortalities. Those instances where evidence strongly suggests a mortality has occurred but no carcass is recovered are classified as "probable" mortalities. When evidence is circumstantial, with no prospect for additional information, a "possible" mortality is designated.

The Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan (USFWS 1993: 41-44) provides criteria for determining if known human-caused grizzly bear mortalities have exceeded annual thresholds. Although not clearly stated, Appendix F of the Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan (USFWS 1993) intended that only known human caused grizzly bear mortalities occurring within the Yellowstone Grizzly Bear Recovery Zone and a 10-mile perimeter area count against mortality quotas. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has clarified this oversight with an amendment to the Recovery Plan. In addition, beginning in 2000, probable mortalities were included in the calculation of mortality thresholds, and COY orphaned as a result of human causes will be designated as probable mortalities (see Appendix A). Prior to these changes, COY orphaned after 1 July were designated possible mortalities (Craighead et al. 1988). Sex of probable mortalities will be randomly assigned as described in Appendix A.

Of the human-caused mortalities documented during 2000, 19, 3, and 1 were known, probable, and possible, respectively. Two probable mortalities resulted from the known death of a female grizzly bear accompanied by 2 COY that occurred on 3 October. Six of the known human-caused grizzly bear mortalities occurred >10 miles outside the Recovery Zone, and as such, were not applied to the mortality threshold. Sixteen known and probable human-caused grizzly bear mortalities, including 3 adult females and 6 total females, were applied to the mortality threshold (USFWS 1993) for 2000. Using these results, both total human-caused and female mortalities were under annual mortality thresholds.

Although human-caused mortality thresholds were not exceeded, the high number of hunting related mortalities occurring in 2000 were a concern. Of the 23 known, probable and possible human-caused mortalities documented in the GYE during 2000, 16 were hunting related. The annual number of hunting related grizzly bear mortalities has been increasing since the early 1990s suggest an upward trend (see section on Hunter Numbers). Factors likely contributing to this trend were an increasing and expanding grizzly bear population (Schwartz et al. 2002), and possibly a seasonal increase in bear densities in early elk harvest area (Haroldson et al. in preparation). The best information we have indicated that hunter numbers remained relatively constant during the last decade.

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