BEAR POPULATIONS AT RISK

In the early 1980s, the Tatshenshini-Alsek region was threatened by the proposed Windy Craggy Mine.

The Windy Craggy project would have placed the entire pristine area at risk of environmental disaster, including threatening one of the world's premier grizzly bear populations. The most critical threats to Tatshenshini-Alsek's bears were:

Destruction of fisheries from acid mine drainage and heavy metals would have devastated fish stocks, a crucial food source for grizzlies.

The mine, mill and road would have been located in the very heart of the finest grizzly bear denning territory in Canada.

The tailings dam would have blocked a critical migration route, restricting the natural movement of these majestic animals.

The losses would have been transboundary since the bears appear to migrate between Canada and Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park.