Washington Hikers Beware: Grizzlies Being Introduced And Wolves Are Migrating West

Washington State – Washington state hikers will need to remain vigilant while enjoying the great outdoors as wolf packs grow and move quickly to towards the west side of the state. And now hikers will have more than wolves to worry about…grizzly bears are being reintroduced to the state as well.

According to the National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife, plans are in the works to capture and relocate three to five grizzlies per year from the Rocky Mountains and Interior British Columbia to the North Cascade Mountains. The goal is to populate the area with 25 grizzly bears.

Superintendent of the North Cascades National Park Service Complex Don Striker said, “We are going to once again see grizzly bears on the landscape, restoring an important thread in the fabric of the North Cascades.”

Comments about the relocation plans for the grizzlies are mostly negative on the X platform. One person said:

Taking Grizzles away from their original homes to move them to a different home is the most human thing ever. Leave them be.

Another said:

Good luck hikers and campers!

And another commented:

Once again our government has failed to ask the citizens of this state what is best for their state. Wait until the bears eat a hiker or a child. Irresponsible

Back to the growing wolf population. As reported by Fox Seattle, the gray wolf population has grown by 20 percent in 2023. And wolf packs are quickly moving towards the west side of the state with several clusters being spotted near Cle Elum and Suncadia.

Wildlife officials want people who hike with dogs to take particular care and ensure that dogs are on leash during outings. If a wolf is encountered, experts warn people not to run or turn their back on the predator. It is important to make yourself look bigger if possible. If a wolf attacks, fight back “aggressively.”