Surprisingly, After 100 Years BIG Predator Could Walk Into Utah

The last grizzly bear in Utah was Old Ephraim who met his demise just over a century ago near Logan. Turns out the beehive state could soon be home to one of these big brown bears and it isn’t through some carefully studied reintroduction plan. 

Wilderness Areas Span State Borders 

Idaho is home to grizzly bears, and they are doing well and expanding their territory. Some younger bears have been seen near the Utah border. These younger bears are looking for room and it is possible that one could wander in and become a resident. 

Grizzly bears are protected on a national level. If a bear does find a home in Utah, it would be left alone unless it became a nuisance somehow. The state was part of the range for bears and it went all the way down to the southern end of the state. 

Should You Pack Bear Spray When Hiking? 

Yes, you should be aware and prepare for bears when hiking in the back country. Not because a grizzly may have wandered in, but because Utah is home to black bears. Though not as dangerous as their grizzly cousins, however, they can also be dangerous. 

Read More: Here’s What Happened to the Last Grizzly in Southern Utah

Don’t look for a grizzly to arrive too soon. These big predators don’t reproduce as fast as smaller animals. One might visit but it could easily be another decade before any grizzly decides to make Utah its home.