Environment
California legislature blocks plan to reintroduce grizzly bears in Sierra Nevada
What happened
California lawmakers voted to block a bill that would have paved the way for reintroducing grizzly bears to the Sierra Nevada region. The decision halts a long-running effort to restore the species, which was driven extinct in the state by the early 20th century. Supporters argued the move would aid ecosystem recovery, while opponents cited concerns over human safety and livestock conflicts.
Key facts
The bill, introduced in the California State Legislature, was rejected by lawmakers in a floor vote on August 14, 2026.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife had previously identified three potential reintroduction zones in the Sierra Nevada, including areas near Kings Canyon National Park and Lake Tahoe.
A 2023 survey by the **U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service** estimated fewer than 1,500 grizzly bears remain in the contiguous U.S., primarily in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Washington.
Opponents of the bill argued that grizzlies could pose risks to hikers, campers, and livestock, citing an average of 1-2 human injuries per year in areas where grizzlies have been reintroduced.
Context
Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) were native to California but were hunted to extinction in the state by the 1920s. The Sierra Nevada mountain range spans eastern California and western Nevada, covering over 400 miles and including areas like Yosemite National Park and Sequoia National Park. Past proposals to reintroduce grizzlies have faced opposition from ranchers, local governments, and some conservation groups due to potential conflicts with livestock and human settlements. The Endangered Species Act has been used in the U.S. to protect and reintroduce species like wolves and condors, but grizzlies remain a contentious case. California has not had a resident grizzly population since the early 1900s, though occasional sightings of lone bears from neighboring states have occurred.