Grizzly Tracks Found In Pierce County

Three grizzly-bear tracks have been found in eastern Pierce County, wildlife officials say.

It's the first solid evidence the threatened animal lives south of Interstate 90, said Jon Almack, a grizzly expert for the state Wildlife Department, who has examined plaster casts of the tracks.

"I have felt all along we had grizzly bears all through the Cascades, but we haven't been able to prove it," Almack said.

The tracks were found in June on Champion International Corp.'s Kapowsin Tree Farm, southeast of Electron. A biologist spotted them while conducting a bird-breeding survey for the timber company.

Scientists have confirmed 22 previous sightings in the Cascades, mostly tracks or photos of tracks, none south of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area north of Cle Elum.

However, Almack said, there have been reliable - but unproven - reports of grizzlies as far south as Mount St. Helens.

The Kapowsin tracks apparently were made by an adult female and one or more cubs, or by an adult female and adult male, he said.

Brian Gilbert, the tree farm's wildlife-resource forester, said Champion was told the tracks were those of a grizzly last week. The company began informing hunters, berry-pickers and other visitors last weekend.

Grizzlies, on the endangered-species list, long were considered absent from the Cascades. But in recent years evidence has accumulated to convince biologists the mountains support a remnant population.

Now state and federal wildlife officials are preparing a plan to protect the animals and increase their numbers - a plan opposed by some hikers.