Synopsis

Grizzly bears are expanding their range. But where are they headed? To find out, we get out on the land with ranchers Erik Kalsta and Jami Murdoch, who are working with partners to monitor wildlife – including grizzlies – on their operation in southwest Montana. 

Together with Erik, Jami and Blackfeet rancher Kristen Kipp, plus a band of other experts, we explore what it really means for grizzly bears to recover under the protection of the Endangered Species Act, and the real challenges bears, and people, face as they do.

Links and references from Where are the grizzlies headed?

An official grizzly in the Big Hole, by Erik Kalsta: onland.westernlandowners.org/2023/the-working-wild/an-official-grizzly-in-the-big-hole/ 

US Fish and Wildlife Service Grizzly Bear Recovery Program: www.fws.gov/office/grizzly-bear-recovery-program

Sell, et al. article in Biological Conservation on predicted connectivity pathways for grizzly bears in Montana: www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320723003002?via%3Dihub  

Yellowstone-area grizzly bears have stopped expanding their range, in WyoFile by Mike Koshmrl: wyofile.com/yellowstone-area-grizzly-bears-have-stopped-expanding-their-range/ 

The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee: https://igbconline.org/

Credits

Working Wild U is a production of Montana State University Extension and Western Landowners Alliance with support from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and listeners like you.  

This episode was written and produced by Zach Altman.  

Hosted by Jared Beaver and Hallie Mahowald. 

Louis Wertz and Jared Beaver are our Executive Producers. Music is from Artlist and Blue Dot Sessions.  

Special thanks to Kristen Kipp, Hilary Cooley, Ken McDonald, Jami Murdoch, Erik Kalsta, and Kim Johnston. 

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