NWT Species Search

General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

Average 6 years (R021). Typically, females produce their first litter at 5-7 years of age (R144).

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Longevity

Up to 29 years in captivity.

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Economic/Human Considerations

Tourism - wildlife viewing and excellent indicators of "wilderness"; good = big game resource; bad = garbage nuisance and potentially harmful - defence kills

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H111

Habitat

Very diverse habitats (seral to climax vegetation, wet to dry habitat and a variety of altitudes) in the mountains, also found at lower densities on the tundra except in the northern Arctic Islands.

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Distribution

Ecozones

Northern Arctic, Southern Arctic, Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield, Boreal Cordillera, Boreal Plains

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Distribution

About 1,953,000 km2 (SARC, 2017).

Score:

G = 2

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Historical Distribution

Previously found on the prairie and southwestern corner of NWT.

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Area of Occupancy

About 879,000 km2 (SARC, 2017); continues to expand its range in the northern islands (WMAC, 2015).

Score:

H = >

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Population

Population Size

4,000-5,000 total. 2,000-3,000 mature individuals (SARC, 2017). The population estimate for the NWT is calculated in the SARC report as 4,339. This is based on density estimates that come from studies using collars (Miller et al., 1982; Nagy and Branigan, 1998) and DNA from hair (Weaver, 2006; Boulanger et al., 2014; ERM Rescan, 2014). This estimate includes adults plus subadults, but excludes cubs to 2-year-olds.

Score:

E = 2

References:

R119

U001

R2017005

Density

1 per 10 to 560 sq. kms depending on habitat.

Trends

Stable or possibly increasing.

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Threats

No threat calculator conducted but information from SARC report indicates the following. Traditional knowledge - The most significant factors are development and human-grizzly bear interactions. Stochastic natural events and changes to habitat due to climate change. The least significant threat is hunting pressure, which has decreased since the 1990s. Science - Human-caused mortality at a rate of approximately 1.0% of the total NWT population per year (likely sustainable and not a current threat to causing NWT-wide population decline). Local avoidance of industrial projects, increased future resource development, and the establishment of transportation corridors could potentially pose a significant threat to grizzly bears. However, permanent removal of suitable habitat by human activity within grizzly bear range remains relatively small in terms of the species‘ overall range in the NWT.

Score:

U = U

References:

H116

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Low reproductive capacity, long-lived, impact from human development can be long-lasting.

Score:

AB =

References:

H116

General Status Rank

Rank:

Sensitive

Status Rank Description:

Low densities in many parts of the NWT; medium numbers with low to moderate threats and low reproductive rates; however, continues to expand its range in the northern part of the NWT.

S Rank:

S3S4

Decision Process Description:

Reviewed in 2004, new COSEWIC report in 2002 - no change in status. Reviewed in 2010, no change. Reviewed in 2015, no change. Reviewed in 2020, no change.

Last Updated:

February 15, 2024

Status Designations

NWT - Assessment by Species at Risk Committee

NWT SARC Assessment:

Special Concern

2017

References:

R2017005

NWT - Species at Risk Legal Status

NWT Status Rank:

Not listed (consensus agreement 2017).

Canada – Assessment by Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

COSEWIC Status:

Special Concern

As part of the Western population in Canada 2012, the species was considered a single unit and designated Not at Risk in April 1979. Split into two populations in April 1991 (Prairie population and Northwestern population). The Prairie population was designated Extirpated in April 1991. Status re-examined and confirmed in May 2000 and in May 2002. The Northwestern population was designated Special Concern in April 1991 and confirmed in May 2002. In May 2012, the entire species was re-examined and the Prairie and Northwestern populations were considered a single unit. This newly defined Western population was designated Special Concern in May 2012. (COSEWIC. 2012. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Grizzly bear Ursus arctos in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. xiv + 84 pp.)

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