Grizzly bears recovering across the western United States and Canada increasingly encounter humans, creating conflict that harms individual bears. Coexistence tools and policies directly reduce bear suffering and mortality.
Individual grizzly bears killed in conflict situations represent a direct welfare harm that is largely preventable. The pathway from wild bear to 'problem bear' typically involves human negligence in securing attractants - unsecured garbage, unprotected livestock, accessible bird feeders. Every attractant secured reduces the probability that a bear will begin the trajectory toward lethal management. Coexistence infrastructure including electric fences and bear-proof containers directly reduces individual bear mortality risk. Programs that provide low-cost electric fencing to ranchers and beekeepers in bear country are among the most cost-effective bear welfare interventions.