Mystery Surrounds Discovery of Grizzly Bear Carcass on Whatcom County Beach

(Seattle, WA) The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife was taken by surprise when a dead grizzly bear was found on a beach in Whatcom County last week. Game Warden Dave Jones, who inspected the site, expressed astonishment, noting that while black bear sightings are common, a confirmed grizzly bear in the area is unprecedented. The 1- to 2-year-old male bear showed no signs of trauma, except for scavenger-related damage to the carcass. Jones sent samples for analysis to determine the bear’s origin, hypothesizing it might be from Canada, given its proximity to British Columbia.

Grizzlies are federally listed as a threatened species, and the North Cascades region, where the bear was discovered, is not a known habitat for them. Joe Scott, the International Programs Director at Conservation Northwest, suggested that the bear likely washed ashore from British Columbia. He emphasized that grizzly sightings in the area are extremely rare, with the last credible sighting dating back to 1996.

The discovery of the grizzly bear cub has reignited discussions about the potential reintroduction of grizzlies to Washington’s North Cascades. The Obama administration initiated this process in 2015, but it was halted by the Trump administration in 2020. Scott hopes the recent incident prompts the Biden administration to resume the reintroduction effort.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife stated that it is plausible the bear washed down during recent flooding, and they will collaborate with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Canadian authorities to solve the mystery. Grizzlies are known for their swimming abilities, and it’s possible the bear drowned while attempting to swim to Vancouver Island. Genetic analysis from DNA samples will provide insights into the bear’s origin.