The Grizzly Bear is one of two species of bears found in British Columbia. In BC, it is primarily found in mountain terrain, in forested areas and open slopes, and in mountain tundra. However, it is not as strongly associated with forested areas as the Black Bear and is more associated with open areas (Hatler et al. 2008). Some Grizzlies migrate to valley bottoms early in the season, moving up again as the season progresses, while other do not move down into the valleys (Hatler et al. 2008).
The grizzly is the largest predator found in British Columbia. Grizzly Bears have a noticeable hump over the shoulders (Hatler et al. 2008). They are usually brown in colour but can vary from blonde to black, with the legs and belly darker in colour. Size varies from region to region, but the larger individuals live in coastal areas where they feed on salmon, and the smallest live in northern interior areas (Hatler et al. 2008). Males may be more than twice the size of females.
Grizzlies are normally solitary but in coastal areas of BC, they congregate around salmon spawning areas (Wikipedia 2011). This is a denning species that hibernates in the winter, with most (though not all) dens located at high elevations; some are excavated at the bases of trees and shrubs, some are located in rock caves (Hatler et al. 2008).
Globally, the Grizzly Bear is found across northern Eurasia and in western North America (Hatler et al. 2008). In North America, the grizzly's range has been reduced, but in Canada it includes the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, most of British Columbia, western Alberta; in the US, it includes Alaska, the southern extensions of the Rocky Mountains (Montana, Idaho, Washington); and extends as far south as Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks (Hatler et al. 2008, Wikipedia 2011).
In British Columbia, the Grizzly Bear is found throughout much of the province excluding the Queen Charlotte Islands and Vancouver Island, and is generally extirpated from major urban areas (Hatler et al. 2008). However, it is now expanding its range in some areas, with recent observations from the Squamish area, the upper Pitt River Valley and on islands along the central coast.
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