# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Grizzly bears were once numerous, ranging across North America from California to the Great Plains, and from Mexico all the way up into Alaska.

As with many species, westward expansion, human transformation of the landscape, and fear led to near-eradication of grizzly bears in the continental United States. When the grizzly bear was listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1975, the grizzly bear population in the lower 48 states was down to less than 1000 bears. Grizzly bears still occupy less than 2% of their former range in the lower 48, in 5 of 6 grizzly bear recovery areas.

Recognizing that human-bear conflicts were a leading cause of human-related grizzly bear deaths, Defenders initiated our grizzly bear conflict mitigation, or coexistence, program in the late 1990s. Defenders works directly with local residents and communities, non-profit organizations, and government agencies on a wide variety of conflict prevention projects, largely on private lands.

A primary example is our popular grizzly bear electric fencing incentive program. We see tremendous conservation value in providing financial support and technical expertise to build electric fence systems that effectively deter grizzly bears and other carnivores from accessing anthropogenic attractants.

To keep bears from getting food-conditioned at campsites and dumps, often resulting in euthanasia, Defenders cost shares on projects that secure food and garbage on our public lands and in communities. This includes purchasing food storage lockers for the U.S. Forest Service to install at campgrounds, assisting with costs associated with fencing a waste transfer site and purchasing bear resistant garbage cans or neighborhoods.

This work keeps bears and other wildlife out of trouble. We also host bear awareness education events and trainings for community groups and school kids living in the region to share awareness tips and practice using bear spray.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Grizzly bears were once numerous, ranging across North America from California to the Great Plains, and from Mexico all the way up into Alaska. As with many species, westward expansion, human transformation of the landscape, and fear led to near-eradication of grizzly bears in the continental United States.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The American black bear is the smallest of the three bears species found in North America, and are found only in North America. Black bears have short, non-retractable claws that give them an excellent tree-climbing ability.

Black bear fur is usually a uniform color except for a brown muzzle and light markings that sometimes appear on their chests. Eastern populations are usually black in color while western populations often show brown, cinnamon, and blond coloration in addition to black. Black bears with white-bluish fur are known as Kermode (glacier) bears and these unique color phases are only found in coastal British Columbia, Canada.

Diet

American black bears are omnivorous: plants, fruits, nuts, insects, honey, salmon, small mammals and carrion. In northern regions, they eat spawning salmon.
Black bears will also occasionally kill young deer or moose calves.

Population

It is estimated that there are at least 600,000 black bears in North America. In the United States, there are estimated to be over 300,000 individuals. However, the Louisiana black bear ( Ursus americanus luteolu) and Florida black bear ( Ursus americanus floridanus) are unique subspecies with small populations. The Louisiana black bear is federally listed as a threatened species and the Florida black bear is estimated to number 3,000.

Range

The American black bear is distributed throughout North America, from Canada to Mexico and in at least 40 states in the U.S. They historically occupied nearly all of the forested regions of North America, but in the U.S. they are now restricted to the forested areas less densely occupied by humans. In Canada, black bears still inhabit most of their historic range except for the intensively farmed areas of the central plains. In Mexico, black bears were thought to have inhabited the mountainous regions of the northern states but are now limited to a few remnant populations.

Behavior

Black bears are extremely adaptable and show a great variation in habitat types, though they are primarily found in forested areas with thick ground vegetation and an abundance of fruits, nuts, and vegetation. In the northern areas, they can be found in the tundra, and they will sometimes forage in fields or meadows.

Black bears tend to be solitary animals, with the exception of mothers and cubs. The bears usually forage alone, but will tolerate each other and forage in groups if there is an abundance of food in one area.

Most black bears hibernate depending on local weather conditions and availability of food during the winter months. In regions where there is a consistent food supply and warmer weather throughout the winter, bears may not hibernate at all or do so for a very brief time. Females give birth and usually remain denned throughout the winter, but males and females without young may leave their dens from time to time during winter months.

Reproduction

Mating Season: Summer.
Gestation: 63-70 days.
Litter Size: 1-6 cubs; 2 cubs are most common.
Cubs remain with the mother for a year and a half or more, even though they are weaned at 6-8 months of age. Females only reproduce every second year (or more). Should the young die for some reason, the female may reproduce again after only one year.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The American black bear is the smallest of the three bears species found in North America, and are found only in North America. Black bears have short, non-retractable claws that give them an excellent tree-climbing ability. Black bear fur is usually a uniform color except for a brown muzzle and light markings that sometimes appear on their chests.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Known as "prairie ghosts" because they are so elusive, the Sonoran pronghorn is the fastest land mammal in North America.

Smaller and lighter in color than other pronghorn subspecies, the genetically and geographically unique Sonoran pronghorn is specially adapted for survival in harsh arid conditions. Sonoran pronghorn are reddish brown on their backs and sides, and have lighter colored undersides. They have bright white markings on their heads and necks; males have black faces and black patches on the sides of their necks. Male Sonoran pronghorns sport large black pronged horns, while females have short black horns.

Diet

Sonoran pronghorns eat herbs, cacti, and desert grasses.

Population

Approximately 160 Sonoran pronghorn remain in the wild in the United States. There is also a small population held in a captive breeding program on the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge in southwest Arizona. There are approximately 240 Sonoran pronghorn in Mexico.

Habitat & Range

Within its range, pronghorn tend to prefer broad, alluvial valleys separated by granite mountains and mesas. Vegetation is scarce throughout most the Sonoran pronghorn's habitat due to limited rainfall. Historically, Sonoran pronghorn traveled across vast expanses of the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, California, and Sonora, Mexico. Currently it is confined to fragments of its former range, with only four small populations remaining - two in southwest Arizona, and two separate populations in Mexico.

Behavior

Sonoran pronghorn have evolved in unique ways to adapt to the harsh desert environment. For example, it can erect its stiff bristle-like body hair in patches to release body heat in extremely hot weather. The pronghorn's exceptional speed and excellent vision help it to avoid predators and take advantage of scarce desert forage.

Reproduction

Does are ready to mate at 16 months and bucks are ready by one year of age.
Mating Season: September and October
Gestation: 250 days
Offspring: 1 fawn; twins when there is abundant food.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Known as "prairie ghosts" because they are so elusive, the Sonoran pronghorn is the fastest land mammal in North America. Smaller and lighter in color than other pronghorn subspecies, the genetically and geographically unique Sonoran pronghorn is specially adapted for survival in harsh arid conditions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Millions of bison once thundered across North America. These massive animals, characterized by their long, shaggy brown coats, have poor eyesight but acute hearing and an excellent sense of smell.

Historically, the American bison played an essential role in shaping the ecology of the Great Plains. They graze heavily on native grasses and disturb the soil with their hooves, allowing many plant and animal species to flourish. Prairie dogs prefer areas grazed by bison where the grass is short so they can keep a lookout for hungry predators, and wolves once relied on bison herds as a major food source. Today, wild bison are making a small comeback in a few scattered places, but they need more room to roam.

Diet

Bison mainly eat grasses and sedges.

Population
Did You Know?
The trails carved by animals like bison and deer in their seasonal migrations formed some of the earliest traceable paths into the American wilderness, and were followed by Native Americans, explorers and pioneers.

An estimated 20 to 30 million bison once dominated the North American landscape from the Appalachians to the Rockies, from the Gulf Coast to Alaska. Habitat loss and unregulated shooting reduced the population to just 1,091 by 1889. Today, approximately 500,000 bison live across North America. However, most of these are not pure wild bison, but have been cross-bred with cattle in the past, and are semi-domesticated after being raised as livestock for many generations on ranches. Fewer than 30,000 wild bison are in conservation herds and fewer than 5,000 are unfenced and disease-free.

Range & Habitat

Though bison once roamed across much of North America, today they are "ecologically extinct" as a wild species throughout most of their historic range, except for a few national parks and other small wildlife areas. Yellowstone National Park has the largest population of wild plains bison (about 4,000), and Wood Buffalo National Park has the largest population of wild wood bison (about 10,000). With help from Defenders, two small herds of pure, wild Yellowstone bison were recently reintroduced to Fort Peck and Fort Belknap Indian Reservations.

Behavior
Did You Know?
A bison's thick fur offers great protection against the harsh elements of the American plains. Their winter coat is so thick and well insulated that snow can cover their backs without melting.

Known for roaming great distances, bison move continuously as they eat. The females, or cows, lead family groups. Bulls remain solitary or in small groups for most of the year, but rejoin the group during mating season.

Bison are adapted to the extreme weather conditions of the Great Plains, from summer heat to winter cold and blizzards. In winter, bison can dig through deep snow with their heads to reach the vegetation below.

Bison often rub, roll and wallow. Wallowing creates a saucer-like depression in the earth called a wallow. This was once a common feature of the plains; usually these wallows are dust bowls without any vegetation.

Reproduction

Bulls and cows do not mingle until breeding season. Dominant bulls "tend" to cows, following the cow around until the cow chooses to mate. During this period, the bull blocks the cow's vision so that she may not see other competing bulls, and bellows at males striving for the cow's attention.

Mating Season: June-September, peak activity in July-August
Gestation: 270-285 days. Calf is born April-May.
Litter size: 1 calf

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Millions of bison once thundered across North America. These massive animals, characterized by their long, shaggy brown coats, have poor eyesight but acute hearing and an excellent sense of smell. Historically, the American bison played an essential role in shaping the ecology of the Great Plains.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Roosevelt Elk Species Profile, Alaska Department of Fish and Game

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
General information about Roosevelt Elk in Alaska such as description, life history, range, habitat and more.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
moose alces alces general description reproduction growth feeding eating behavior migration range habitat status trends threats facts information photo map audio

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Moose Species Profile, Alaska Department of Fish and Game

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
General information about Moose in Alaska such as description, life history, range, habitat and more.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Defenders has pioneered practical solutions to minimize conflicts between wolves and livestock. We're working with ranchers across the West to develop nonlethal deterrents, better animal husbandry practices and other innovative tools that minimize conflict and build social acceptance for wolves. Over the years, we've helped hundreds of ranchers purchase turbo-fladry and livestock guard dogs, hire range riders and deploy scare devices to keep wolves away from livestock. By minimizing conflicts with livestock and the lethal backlash against wolves that often follows, these proactive methods help protect both livestock and wolves.

We also monitor state and federal legislatures and wildlife agencies closely to track potential threats to wolf populations and recovery. When a dangerous bill or policy change is proposed, we act quickly to inform and mobilize our supporters in the region, encouraging them to contact their state officials and speak out against the proposal.

Our experts and policy analysts also engage with officials to discuss the problem and, where possible, offer scientifically-based and responsible solutions. If these measures fail, and laws are being violated by extreme wolf policies, our last resort is to turn to the courts for protection.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Gray wolves range in color from grizzled gray or black to all-white. Though humans nearly hunted wolves to extinction in the lower 48 states, northern gray wolves have returned to the Great Lakes, northern Rockies and Pacific Northwest. Wolves play a key role in keeping ecosystems healthy.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Did You Know?

The coyote is a newcomer to Alaska. Coyotes were first noted in the state shortly after the turn of the 20th century. Populations were first reported on the mainland of Southeast Alaska and then slowly expanded northward into the upper Tanana Valley from which they radiated in all directions.

General Description

The coyote, like the wolf, is a member of the dog family (Canidae) and resembles a medium-sized shepherd-collie type dog. Distinctive features of the coyote are its sharp pointed ears that never droop, a sharp pointed nose, and long bushy tail. The legs of the coyote are generally slimmer and the feet smaller than those of a dog of comparable size. Coyotes average 22 to 33 pounds (10-15 kg) or about one-third the size of wolves. Males are slightly heavier than females. Coyotes average 2 feet high (.6 m) at the shoulder and, including tail, are approximately 4 feet (1.2 m) long. The summer coat is predominantly gray, washing into tan along the belly, lower legs, muzzle, and ears. Some guard hairs are tipped with black, as is the tail. The upper lip and underside are whitish. The intensity and amount of coloring varies, and individuals are usually lighter in winter.

Life History

Growth and Reproduction

Coyotes breed between January and March. A mated pair may stay together through the spring and share parental duties after the pups are born. Other coyotes, especially young of the previous years, may also help care for the pups. Shortly before whelping, one or more dens are prepared for the litter. Coyotes give birth to an average of five to seven blind and helpless pups. The size of litters varies in response to the food supply. Litters born in times of plenty will, on the average, be larger than those born when food resources are scarce. For the first three weeks the young coyotes subsist entirely on milk. About this time some solid food regurgitated by the females is introduced into their diet, and the pups are weaned at five to seven weeks. Once the pups establish a pattern of eating regurgitated food they will induce the parents to regurgitate by licking, biting, and clawing at their lips. At the age of three to three-and-a-half months, pups are able to capture food for themselves.

Coyotes are quick to respond to increases or decreases in prey. They have fewer pups when food is scarce, or they can have large litters when food (in Alaska, primarily snowshoe hares) is abundant. One Alaska researcher found if there's a lot of prey and not much competition, coyotes have really big litters.

Coyotes den in a variety of protected places and frequently take over the dens of other animals. It is not unusual for coyotes to move their pups to other dens. Family units may begin to break up as early as August, although is not unusual for them to remain together into November or even later.

Coyotes form a strong pair bond. The typical social structure is a mated pair and offspring and most offspring disperse in the first year. In Alaska, coyotes are found mostly as mated pairs with an established territory. Lone coyotes are not unusual, but are generally transients without established territories. Packs of coyotes are unusual in Interior Alaska. Researchers Laura Prugh and Steve Arthur found that in Interior Alaska, a territory was about 40 square kilometers, which is really big for coyotes. In Texas several coyotes may have territories within a square kilometer, due to the abundance of food and greater diversity of prey.

The coyote may be the most vocal of the canids and is sometimes referred to as the "song dog." The most common call is a long, mournful high-pitched howl which ends in a series of sharp yips and yaps. The howl of the coyote has a somewhat ventriloquistic effect, and it has often been reported that the howling of two or three coyotes sounds like a dozen or more animals are involved.

Like other canids, the coyote is susceptible to rabies, distemper, and other diseases which may cause periodic declines in coyote populations. Because of competition, coyotes are absent or scarce where wolves are abundant, and foxes are similarly less abundant where coyotes are numerous.

Feeding Ecology

The coyote is best described as an opportunistic feeder. In Alaska snowshoe hares, microtine rodents (voles), and carrion comprise the bulk of the coyote's diet while marmots, ground squirrels, muskrats, fish, insects, and even Dall sheep are taken in fewer numbers.

Coyotes hunt singly, in pairs, and occasionally in packs. They sometimes hunt cooperatively and have been observed using techniques such as chasing prey animals in relays, which allows them to capture animals that could outrun a single coyote. The coyote's method of capturing microtine rodents is similar to that of the fox. Upon locating its prey, the coyote makes a high, arching jump and pins the rodent to the ground with its forepaws. Often the prey is trapped under a mat of surrounding vegetation through which a more direct approach would be difficult.

Researcher Laura Prugh collected 1,500 scats from 56 different coyotes in Interior Alaska. She found a wide array of birds, mammals (including porcupine) and even plants in scat. In that study, porcupines were less than one percent the coyote diet when hares were abundant, but when hare abundance was low, porcupine went up to about 15 percent of the diet. In terms of average biomass, one porcupine equals seven hares or 350 voles. It's not a bad meal if a coyote can catch one.

Although coyotes are opportunists, they developed different hunting skills and strategies. Some coyotes focus on small rodents, others target carrion. In the long run, some strategies had their risks. Coyotes scavenging carrion sometimes had to face wolves, and Prugh found two coyotes that were killed by wolves. She also found two coyotes that succumbed to quill injuries from porcupines.

Coyotes will hunt cooperatively, but it depends on what they're hunting. Before wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone, coyote packs with as many as 10 animals would successfully hunt elk. Prugh said with hares, a common strategy is for a pair to trot through the woods, flushing and then chasing down the prey. With small mammals, coyotes are most successful when hunting alone.

Occasionally the coyote finds itself on the other end of the "dinner table." Great horned owls, bald and golden eagles, wolves, and bears all have been known to prey on coyotes. In some locations, free-ranging dogs will readily kill coyotes when the opportunity presents itself. Wolves kill coyotes, viewing them as both food and competition. When wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park in the 1990s, the number of coyote dropped significantly.

Range and Habitat

Coyotes were first noted in the state shortly after the turn of the 20th century. Populations were first reported on the mainland of Southeast Alaska and then slowly expanded northward into the upper Tanana Valley from which they radiated in all directions. A population peak occurred around 1940; since that time numbers have declined in many areas. There are few records of the coyote north of the Yukon River, although they do occur in this area. Portions of the state with the highest densities of coyotes are the Kenai Peninsula, the Matanuska and Susitna valleys and the Copper River Valley.

Status, Trends, and Threats

Status

In the wake of people's relentless expansion into wildlife's domain, few species have been able to coexist and even expand their range as well as the coyote. The elimination or reduction of wolves from many areas of North America, coupled with land and clearing activities, have contributed to this range extension.

The major source of the coyote's conflict with man has been its fondness for sheep and poultry. Though only a few individuals are usually involved in such cases, massive predator control programs using poisons such as 1080 and strychnine, "coyote getters" loaded with cyanide, traps, aerial shooting, and bounties have been used against the coyote. In many states these weapons were very effective, and numbers of coyotes were greatly reduced. Alaska was not left out of the program. The attitude toward coyotes was graphically demonstrated in a 1942-43 Annual Report of the Alaska Game Commission in which coyotes are referred to as "obnoxious animals." Today, attitudes about coyotes have changed radically. Bounties were removed in 1969 and the policy, as in other states, is one of control rather than extermination.

Trends

The Trapper Questionnaire reports and management reports suggest coyotes are fairly stable across their current range. ADF&G does not document coyote harvest or conduct populations surveys in a regular manner, so it's hard to be more specific.

Threats

None known

Fast Facts

Size
Coyotes average 22 to 33 pounds (10-15 kg) or about one-third the size of wolves. Males are slightly heavier than females. Coyotes average 2 feet high (.6 m) at the shoulder and, including tail, are approximately 4 feet (1.2 m) long.

Range/Distribution
Southeast and much of Interior Alaska; there are few records of the coyote north of the Yukon River, although they do occur in this area. Portions of the state with the highest densities of coyotes are the Kenai Peninsula, the Matanuska and Susitna valleys and the Copper River Valley.

Diet
opportunistic predators, In Alaska snowshoe hares, microtine rodents, and carrion (in Alaska, mostly moose and caribou) comprise the bulk of the coyote's diet while marmots, ground squirrels, muskrats, fish, insects, and even Dall sheep are taken in fewer numbers.

Predators
Great horned owls, bald and golden eagles, wolves, and bears all have been known to prey on coyotes.

Reproduction
Coyotes are quick to respond to increases or decreases in prey. They have fewer pups when food is scarce, or they can have large litters when hares are abundant.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
coyote canis latrans general description reproduction growth feeding eating behavior migration range habitat status trends threats facts information photo map audio

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Coyote Species Profile, Alaska Department of Fish and Game

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Did You Know? The coyote is a newcomer to Alaska. Coyotes were first noted in the state shortly after the turn of the 20th century. Populations were first reported on the mainland of Southeast Alaska and then slowly expanded northward into the upper Tanana Valley from which they radiated in all directions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
red fox vulpes vulpes general description reproduction growth feeding eating behavior migration range habitat status trends threats facts information photo map audio

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Red Fox Species Profile, Alaska Department of Fish and Game

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
General information about Red Fox in Alaska such as description, life history, range, habitat and more.