WYOMING — A female grizzly that was introduced to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) two years ago from northern Montana was recently seen with cubs at her den site during a radio-telemetry monitoring flight.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) said on Wednesday that the 6-year-old female was one of two grizzles translocated in 2024 from the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem in an effort to increase genetic diversity in the GYE. That initiative was made possible through a partnership between Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP); WGFD; and Yellowstone National Park.

The female bear with her two cubs near the site of their den. This photo was taken during a radio-telemetry monitoring flight. Photo: WGFD

“Grizzly bears in these populations usually give birth for the first time at 5 or 6 years old, so it’s not surprising from an age standpoint,” said FWP grizzly bear researcher Cecily Costello. “It is more surprising because last year she was still very mobile and made many large, wandering movements. We wondered if that energy expenditure might reduce her chances of reproducing, but, from the photo, she appears to be in great condition.”

Cub survival rates are just above 50% annually and sometimes slightly lower for first litters, per WGFD. The agency acknowledged that it will be harder to document reproduction by the other translocated bear: an estimated 7-year-old male. Male mating success is often tied to large body size, and this bear is still considered on the young side.

According to WGFD, recovery levels of grizzly bear populations in the two ecosystems were “surpassed years ago.” The translocation of the two bears was part of an agreement between Montana, Idaho and Wyoming following the 2017 delisting of the GYE population and a subsequent circuit court ruling. Protections for GYE grizzlies were reinstated in 2018. WGFD says that the ecological benefits that come from genetic diversity are helpful in supporting healthy populations.

 “This multiagency effort was a shining example of interstate/interagency collaboration and cooperation to address long-term genetic viability concerns raised, and embodies both on-the-ground conservation and a commitment to fulfill obligations toward grizzly bear management in the contiguous United States,” said WGFD Director Angi Bruce.

Monica is a Staff Reporter who studied journalism at Syracuse University and has been in the valley since 2015. She loves writing about the local food and bev scene, especially craft beer. When she’s not on the clock, you can find her paddle boarding, sewing, or whipping up a new recipe at home.