Map: American Wildlands GIS labWe have identified the area between the southern boundary of Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness as an important wildlife linkage. The South Glacier linkage is essential to the long-term persistence of the grizzly bear population in northwestern Montana. Elk, deer, lynx, wolves, black bears and bighorn sheep also use this area on a regular basis.
Highway 2 and a railroad line bisect the South Glacier linkage. Increased traffic on these routes threatens wildlife safety to such a degree that the ability of bears and other wildlife to use this linkage may soon be compromised.
American Wildlands is working closely with the Great Northern Environmental Stewardship Area partnership to address the threats to wildlife in this linkage. We are optimistic that the resulting Habitat Conservation Plan that is being negotiated between Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad and the US Fish and Wildlife Service will create opportunities for railroad mitigation projects, such as wildlife-friendly fencing and culverts. We will continue to work in this area to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions on Highway 2 and limit bear attractants in developed areas.
