In relation to most animals, we're a predator species, likely the most deadly one they encounter. But not so when it comes to undefended humans in grizzly bear country. People who write of trekking in such territory often allude to feeling a prickly unease on the edge of terror, knowing that a being stalks nearby that could, and would under some circumstances, eat them.
Given our intuitive sense of our antagonistic relationship with Ursus arctos horribilis I find it kind of amazing that some of us feel a strong drive to try to save these bears from extinction by human weaponry and habitat loss. Not all of us, but some of us, rejoice to read that "Judge reinstates federal protections for grizzly bears, blocks planned fall hunting season".
When not in the grip of immediate terror, we can imagine that extinction -- permanent loss -- somehow diminishes us as well as the variant of life that would be gone forever. So we will to preserve an animal that might eat us.
I'd glad that we have in us to be that sort of reflective, marveling beast -- some of the time.
3 comments:
Having encountered a few grizzlies in the past few weeks I can understand, but still feel no need to kill these animals. Despite looking into the eyes of a griz far too close, with nothing between he and me, I felt no fear. Respect, yes, but not fear.
Andrew -- looks like you are having an amazing trip!!
I was really happy to hear the news that a judge had ruled against taking grizzly bears off the threatened list. They are such magnificent beasts and there are estimated to be as few as 1,200 left in the entire lower 48.
I enjoyed the article below. I'm not a hunter, but the hunter who wrote the post has nothing but respect for grizzlies, and urges anyone trekking or hunting to use bear spray to defend against them if encountered in the wild.
http://www.backcountrychronicles.com/grizzly-bear-distribution/
Mags
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