Description

Few animals are as awe-inspiring as the grizzly bear, the largest terrestrial carnivore in North America. The Grizzly Almanac is an up-close, richly illustrated look at the animal known to biologists as Ursus arctos horribilis, the "horrible Northern bear." A powerful symbol of wilderness, the grizzly was once widespread from Alaska to Mexico. Today, 99 percent of its population in the lower 48 states is gone-the victim of habitat loss, over-hunting, and predator control programs that were based more on emotion than fact.This impeccably researched volume looks at the natural and cultural history of the grizzly, with vital information on its evolution, habitat, diet, reproduction, intelligence, and behavior. Robert H. Busch recounts the grizzly's interaction with mankind, including: the bear's place in native folklore; first encounters with Europeans; famous "outlaw" bears and the men who hunted them; the bear's twentieth-century decline; and current conservation efforts. The almanac also covers the emotion-charged topic of grizzly attacks, with descriptions of notable cases and practical information for those who seek to share the dwindling domain of the last of the great predators. The Grizzly Almanac is especially important reading today, as controversy rages over plans to reintroduce the grizzly into areas of its former habitat. This comprehensive volume is essential for anyone who wishes to understand the grizzly and its world.