Grizzly Bears to be Reintroduced to North Cascades, Washington

Federal agencies plan to release up to seven grizzly bears annually for a decade to restore the species, largely decimated by human activity.

The reintroduction aims to establish a population of 200 grizzlies in the North Cascades over the next century.
Grizzly bears, considered threatened in the contiguous U.S., have been absent from the region since 1996.
The plan includes designating the bears as a 'nonessential experimental population' under the Endangered Species Act, allowing more flexible management.
Local tribes and environmental groups support the reintroduction, viewing it as critical to restoring the ecosystem.
Concerns about human safety and livestock have been addressed with provisions for intervention in case of conflicts.