Grizzlies are making thier comeback. Yes, thats a picture of a buffalo at left, but we're talking about bears right now. This past Tuesday the United States Geological Survey announced that there are 765 Grizzly bears in northwestern Montana- way up from previous estimates of 300ish not so long ago.
Funding for the US Forest Service to introduce protective measures and revise the Grizzlies embattled habitat came from an ear-marked federal grant of a little over a million dollars. The USFS, once again, under extreme odds- and next to no national support- made it happen on very, very little dollars. They are an impressive group of highly committed, creative folks that understand this Earth lightyears beyond most.
When I was out in Montana I didn't see a Grizzly. I didn't, for that fact, see any bears. I did, however see a Buffalo. Ever seen one? Don't they look look like a downsized Mammoth?
About three days after one particularly bad blizzard, I wrapped up, strapped on some 1970's snow shoes and dug my way out of my snowed-in house. The snow shoes were amazing things. So amazing, in fact, that I decided to see if I could walk up to the gas station about a quarter mile away. I ventured out, throwing black soot behind me to find my way back. I felt like Grizzy Alice.
About 100 yards from the gas station, I smelled the worst smell I have ever...just trust me it was bad. I saw about half a dozen people hovering around and I picked up my steps. As I got closer, I saw a Buffalo propped up against one of the gas pumps. The gas pumps, you see, are temperature controled, so theres a little heat emanating from them. This poor Buffalo didn't feel good, so he came into town to take the edge off his chill. He was exhausted, terrified, and felt too damn bad to do anything but lean against a gas pump. My heart hurt for him.
Everyone waited at a safe distance for the US Fish & Wildlife Service to show up. We wrung our hands, and watched him with hawkish eyes. If he made one flinch, we all took a few steps back in fear and cried in helplessness. He was obviously hurting. After four hours, we had four Rangers, half a dozen cops, a couple Vets and a huge crew from the Park Service. They helped that Buffalo, and by all accounts on-scene, he was going to be just fine. As the Rangers drove away, we all clapped and cried some more. Our Buffalo was safe.
There isn't anything better than working for the Red Cross and seeing everyday people volunteer countless man hours and make immeasurable sacrifices for other people. The next best thing is to see us do it for the other greatest creatures on earth. We live in a wonderful Country.
Funding for the US Forest Service to introduce protective measures and revise the Grizzlies embattled habitat came from an ear-marked federal grant of a little over a million dollars. The USFS, once again, under extreme odds- and next to no national support- made it happen on very, very little dollars. They are an impressive group of highly committed, creative folks that understand this Earth lightyears beyond most.
When I was out in Montana I didn't see a Grizzly. I didn't, for that fact, see any bears. I did, however see a Buffalo. Ever seen one? Don't they look look like a downsized Mammoth?
About three days after one particularly bad blizzard, I wrapped up, strapped on some 1970's snow shoes and dug my way out of my snowed-in house. The snow shoes were amazing things. So amazing, in fact, that I decided to see if I could walk up to the gas station about a quarter mile away. I ventured out, throwing black soot behind me to find my way back. I felt like Grizzy Alice.
About 100 yards from the gas station, I smelled the worst smell I have ever...just trust me it was bad. I saw about half a dozen people hovering around and I picked up my steps. As I got closer, I saw a Buffalo propped up against one of the gas pumps. The gas pumps, you see, are temperature controled, so theres a little heat emanating from them. This poor Buffalo didn't feel good, so he came into town to take the edge off his chill. He was exhausted, terrified, and felt too damn bad to do anything but lean against a gas pump. My heart hurt for him.
Everyone waited at a safe distance for the US Fish & Wildlife Service to show up. We wrung our hands, and watched him with hawkish eyes. If he made one flinch, we all took a few steps back in fear and cried in helplessness. He was obviously hurting. After four hours, we had four Rangers, half a dozen cops, a couple Vets and a huge crew from the Park Service. They helped that Buffalo, and by all accounts on-scene, he was going to be just fine. As the Rangers drove away, we all clapped and cried some more. Our Buffalo was safe.
There isn't anything better than working for the Red Cross and seeing everyday people volunteer countless man hours and make immeasurable sacrifices for other people. The next best thing is to see us do it for the other greatest creatures on earth. We live in a wonderful Country.
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