Regarding the Feb. 26 front page article, “Bringing back grizzly bears”: It sounds like a good idea, except for the areas of relocation. Instead of the Whitehorse/Pilchuck mountain region, why not the outskirts of Olympia, so the proponents of the idea, such as spokeswoman Ms. Ann Froschauer, and her U.S. Fish and Wildlife crews, can see firsthand the interactions between Ursus Horribilis (grizzly bear) and people.
Although omnivorous, it would take a lot of small fish, berries and bugs to fill the void of a 500-pound grizzly’s stomach. So, of course, red meat is on the menu. Let’s see, deer, farm livestock and then (there are plenty of farm between Granite Falls and Darrington), and don’t forget hikers, campers and slow old dogs.
I have had several interactions with black bears in the woods, and for the most part, they are easily spooked and run away. The grizzly bear is a large, ultra-strong animal, at the top of the food chain, and they know it.
I have a camping lot at the base of Whitehorse Mountain, on Squire Creek, that me, my kids and grandchildren use many times a year and we love it. But frankly, I would be very uneasy with the possibility of a chance encounter with the top of the food chain.
Try Olympia first, and see how that works.
Gary M. Rembold Sr.
Snohomish
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