In 1975, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the brown
(grizzly) bear as a threatened species in the Lower 48 states,
under the Endangered Species Act, meaning it is considered
likely to become endangered. In Alaska, where there are
estimated to be over 30,000 brown bears, they are classified as
a game animal with regionally established regulations. Brown
Bears reach weights of 300-1500 pounds. The coat color ranges
from shades of blond, brown, black or a combination of these;
the long outer guard hairs are often tipped with white or silver
giving it a grizzled appearance hence the name. The brown or
grizzly has a large hump over the shoulders which is a muscle
mass used to power the forelimbs in digging. The head is large
and round with a concave facial profile. In spite of their mass
size this bear runs at speeds of up to 35 mph.