What ’s the most ironic and tragical matter about the bear on the Californian masthead and the commonwealth ’s seal ? The fact that there have not been any wild silvertip bear in the res publica for just over 100 years . However , the California Grizzly Alliance has unloose a new peer - reviewed sketch showing that there are no insurmountable biologic , ecological , economical , legal , or policy problems preventing their reintroduction .

The last time agrizzly bear(Ursus arctos horribilis ) was faithfully spotted in the Californian wildlands was in the leap of 1924 , in Sequoia National Park . Prior to this , at the time of the Gold Rush in the late 1840s , there were estimated to be 10,000 silver-tip in the province . However , after years of persecution and home ground loss , they were finally carry off around two third of a century after .

Despite their outrageousness , grizzly bear are considered to be threatened in the contiguous United States and endangered in parts of Canada . grant to theUS Fish and Wildlife Service , there are presently around 1,923 bears live in the 48 contiguous states , 727 of which are in theGreater Yellowstone area . All these animals are presently protect mintage , so it is illegal to harm them , harass them , or shoot down them , unless it is explicitly for ego demurrer or the defensive structure of others .

But despite this tribute , their number remain greatly diminished , at around 4 percent of what they were before Europeans colonise the country .

At present , the existing recovery program , despite its intentions and successes , does not ensure the farseeing - condition survival of thesebears , nor is it designed or equipped to see meaningful recovery in the south of the Canadian border . Without peachy ambition in retrieval programs , the visual modality of a future for American silver-tip bear stay ill-defined .

This is why the California Grizzly Alliance undertook this feasibility study .

“ This feasibleness study work up on nigh a decade of inquiry conducted through the California Grizzly Research connection and California Grizzly Alliance , ” the writer write in their 200 - page theme .

“ Much remains to be done . At each stage along the fashion , however , the lessons we get wind point to a unclouded and consistent termination : California ( the place ) belike hold stack of home ground for a sustainable population of hoar bears . The question is whether Californians ( the people ) will embrace such a sheer and visionary project . ”

The study itself , produced by scientist and policy experts lead by Dr Peter Alagona , of the University of California , Santa Barbara , offer a deep dive into the California grizzly ’s account in the province , its biological science , environmental science , and itsrelationship with humans . It also examines desirable home ground that are already in the state , as well as the probably ecologic , economic , and social impacts that could come from their reintroduction .

Although the bears have been absent fromCaliforniafor the last hundred age , they stay on to hold an of import ethnical signification . Not only do they come out on various objects , like the province ’s flag , or as a university mascot , they are also revered among Californian Tribes .

“ It ’s important for people to recognise that the grizzly bear is n’t just a symbol on a flag – it was a veridical animal that shaped California ’s ecosystems and prevail cryptic meaning for Tribal Nations across the United States Department of State , ” Tejon Tribe Chairman Octavio Escobedo III explain in astatement .

“ The Ursus arctos horribilis was honored and respected not only for its power , but for the balance it help oneself maintain in the innate public . This study prove that with the right approach path , it ’s in reality potential for the bear to fulfill that part once again . ”

The field of study identifies three potential regions where the bear could live in the body politic . They admit the Transverse Ranges , which draw out from the coast to the desert in Southern California ; the Sierra Nevada slew range , especially the high - tone habitats in the southern Sierra ; and the Northwest Forests , include the Klamath Mountains , Trinity Alps , and similar ranges in the northwest one-fourth of the state .

According to polling published by theCalifornia Grizzly Research Networkin 2019 , around two - thirds of the great unwashed in the nation support the return of these bear , and only 14 percent oppose it .

“ Whether or not we take gray-headed bear back to California is a option , as there is no biologic cause we could n’t do it , ” said Alagona . “ A decade of enquiry inform this bailiwick establish that grizzlies probably can thrive in California if we make the approbative decision to bring them back . ”

The feasibility study is accessiblehere .