1. Grizzly Bears and the Species at Risk Act

2. Grizzly Bear Status Report
A copy of the original status report has been provided to the HTO
A summary of the status report has been provided to the HTO
The summary of the status report focuses on information relevant to the assessment and specific to Nunavut and the NWT

3. Grizzly Bear Status Report
the status assessment addresses the north western population of grizzly bears
there are approximately 26, 000 bears in this population

4. Grizzly Bear Status Report
grizzly bear range has contracted significantly since the 1800s
there is loss and fragmentation of habitat in the southern part of the existing range
current distribution of grizzly bears
distribution of grizzly bears before 1900

5. Grizzly Bear Status Report: points of interest
bears in the central Arctic have the largest home ranges
caribou are an important source of food for bears in the central Arctic
no studies have been done to count the number of bears in Nunavut

6. Grizzly Bear Status Report: points of interest
the report makes a rough estimate of 1000 bears in Nunavut
the estimate was made by measuring the amount of habitat and relating that to the approximate number of bears that could live in an area of that size
Kitikmeot
800
Kivalliq
200

7. Grizzly Bear and the COSEWIC Assessment
overall habitat appears stable
overall population trends are stable
grizzly bears do not meet criteria for Endangered or Threatened
However:
population trends are not accurately monitored
habitat in the southern part of the range is becoming fragmented
increasing development pressure in Nunavut and the NWT may threaten grizzly bear habitat

8. Grizzly Bear Status Report: Threats
harvest (if not managed)
habitat loss
road construction (increased human access)
fragmentation of habitat causing isolation of small populations in south

9. Grizzly Bear and the COSEWIC Assessment
grizzly bear populations are sensitive to habitat loss and slow to recover from declines
grizzly bear habitat in southern Canada is becoming fragmented, and in northern Canada is under threat
the health of grizzly bear populations and their habitat should be monitored and managed
Therefore, COSEWIC recommended that grizzly bears should be listed as Special Concern

10. Implications of Listing
If grizzly bears are listed as Special Concern:
there will not be automatic prohibitions on harvesting
current harvesting practices can continue
there will be a requirement to complete a national management plan in 3 years