由部落和环保人士组成的联盟正推动加州重新考虑灰熊的未来。民主党参议员Laura Richardson提出的SB 1305法案要求加州鱼类和野生动物部门制定路线图，评估在该州重新引入灰熊的可行性[1]。灰熊在1920年代前后从加州灭绝，当时可能有多达10,000只灰熊存在[1]。
支持者包括至少40个部落、环保组织和动物福利组织，其中Yurok部落和Tejon部落是该议案的联合发起人[1]。倡导者认为灰熊能改善加州生态系统。2025年的一项研究估计加州栖息地可维持424至1,713只灰熊，建议首先引入25只[1]。
但反对声音也很强烈。农村社区和牧场主表示担忧与大型掠食者的潜在冲突[1]。共和党议员Heather Hadwick表示"我不认为加州已经为灰熊做好准备"[1]。加州鱼类和野生动物部门也指出资源严重不足，称该部门只有足够的资金和员工来完成其现有职责的38%[1]。
联邦层面，特朗普政府提出的规则变更寻求将灰熊管理权返还给各州[1]。
A coalition of tribal leaders and environmental advocates is pushing California lawmakers to study the feasibility of reintroducing grizzly bears to the state after their extinction roughly a century ago. [1] Democratic Senator Laura Richardson of Inglewood has introduced Senate Bill 1305, which would require the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to develop a roadmap assessing the viability and conditions for grizzly bear reintroduction. [1]
Grizzlies disappeared from California around the 1920s, when the state may have supported as many as 10,000 bears. [1] A 2025 study estimates that current California habitats could sustain between 424 and 1,713 grizzlies, with researchers recommending an initial reintroduction of 25 animals. [1] At least 40 tribes, environmental organizations, and animal welfare groups back the proposal, with the Yurok Tribe and Tejon Tribe serving as co-sponsors. [1]
Supporters argue that reintroducing grizzlies would improve California's ecosystem. However, rural communities and ranchers oppose the measure, citing concerns about conflicts with large predators. [1] Republican Assemblymember Heather Hadwick has expressed skepticism, stating, "I don't think California is ready for grizzly bears." [1] The state's fish and wildlife department has also raised concerns, noting it has sufficient funding and staffing to complete only 38 percent of its current responsibilities. [1]
The proposal comes as the Trump administration has introduced federal regulatory changes seeking to return grizzly bear management authority to individual states. [1]