| Grizzly bears are considered by most experts to be | | | | coordinating and cooperating the recovery efforts |
| the most aggressive of all types of bears. Their | | | | over the multiple jurisdictions that the grizzly bear |
| aggressive behavior is a natural instinct derived from | | | | habitat spans. |
| their size: They are too large to avoid danger by | | | | The IGBC set up four main objectives: to engage top |
| climbing trees, and they historically compete with | | | | level decision makers in a coordinated effort to |
| other large predators for food. Aggressive behavior | | | | recover grizzly bears through policy and procedure; |
| for grizzlies during times of confrontation are natural. | | | | to coordinate management and research actions, to |
| Grizzly bears normally try to avoid human | | | | implement the Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan; and to |
| confrontation and interaction, but their population has | | | | implement and oversee the management and |
| been seriously jeopardized by excessive hunting and | | | | research activities of all recovered grizzly bears. |
| were placed under federal protection under the | | | | Today, biologists estimate the population has doubled |
| Endangered Species Act in 1975. Biologists estimated | | | | and grizzly bears are believed to be increasing their |
| as few as 600-800 grizzlies existed in the lower 48 | | | | numbers in most recovery ecosystems. In 2007, |
| states and declining. There are extended efforts to | | | | they were removed from the Endangered Species |
| help recover the grizzly bear population back to its | | | | List. |
| natural size, in its natural habitat. | | | | In the 25 years of its existence, the IGBC has |
| The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) was | | | | identified and established five significant grizzly bear |
| formed in 1983 to help ensure recovery of grizzly | | | | ecosystems, several subcommittees and in-depth |
| bear populations and their habitats through a | | | | research teams to learn and teach effective |
| coordinated effort of policy, planning, management, | | | | education and outreach programs. Their education |
| and research. The IGBC consists of members from | | | | and outreach teaches how to avoid or minimize |
| the U.S. Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, | | | | bear-human conflicts, as well as the proper directions |
| National Park Service. the Bureau of Land | | | | for food storage and garbage management, as well |
| Management, and Geological Survey. Other | | | | as domestic stock grazing management. Their |
| representatives come from state wildlife agencies of | | | | research has produced efficient bear deterrent |
| Idaho, Montana, Washington and Wyoming. The IGBC | | | | products, bear-resistant ice coolers and portable |
| has become the ideal model for agencies by | | | | electric fences. |