Grizzly Bears of the Canadian Rockies | 2022 - 5

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Grizzly Bears of the Canadian Rockies

Grizzly Bears (Ursus arctos) are unmistakable because of the large muscular hump on their shoulders. Grizzly bears are scavengers and omnivores, eating both plants and meat. Plants are the mainstay of their diet though, especially berries and roots.
In winter, food becomes scarce and the bears crawl into their dens to hibernate. Although bears do not truly hibernate, (their body temperature only dips slightly), they do become dormant in winter, usually in snow-dens, where females often have one to four cubs before spring.
Grizzly Bears have one of the lowest known reproductive rates of all North American land mammals. That rate is even lower for Grizzlies living here in the Canadian Rockies. Females have their first cubs at 5-8 years of age and may not become pregnant again for 4–5 years.
Grizzly Bears are particularly sensitive to human influence, and because of this we manage them carefully. We can gain information about the mountain park ecosystem by monitoring the grizzly bear population. Jasper currently supports a population of between 100–120 individuals.