162 EXTINCT AND VANISHING MAMMALS 



Ursus kidderi tundrensis Merriam. TUNDRA BEAR 



Range: "Tundra region of northwestern Alaska from Shak- 

 tolik River on Norton Sound, southerly across the lower 

 Yukon, Kuskokwim, and Nushagak Rivers to Bristol Bay and 

 north side of base of Alaska Peninsula" (Merriam). The 

 Government report above quoted states that "the grizzlies of 

 the interior seemed to be on the increase during the last year" 

 (1938). The agent at Nome reports that "the Alaska grizzly 

 is fairly numerous all through my district, and no increase or 

 decrease is definitely known. Very few animals are killed and 

 these by natives working with reindeer herds. Bears are 

 reported by all reindeer men as destructive to deer, but I 

 believe that the extent of damage is not important." 



Ursus eximius Merriam. KNIK BEAR 



Range : Nothing seems to be known of the range of this bear 

 beyond its occurrence at the head of Knik Arm, Cook Inlet, 

 Alaska. Probably, like Kidder's bear of the Alaska Peninsula, 

 it is "holding its own." 



INNUITUS GROUP 



Ursus innuitus Merriam. INNUIT BEAR 



Range: "Coastal region of Norton Sound, Alaska, from 

 Unalaklik northward and westward; limits unknown" (Mer- 

 riam). The range of the grizzly bear probably does not reach 

 the sea to the northward of the region inhabited by this form. 

 The report of the Nome agent, previously quoted, seems to 

 indicate that grizzly bears are in no immediate danger of 

 extermination in this area. 



Ursus cressonus Merriam. CHITINA BEAR 



Range: "Chitina River valley and adjacent slopes of Skolai 

 and Wrangell Mountains, westerly doubtless through the 

 Chugach Mountains to the west side of Cook Inlet; occurs as 

 far south as the Iliamna region" (Merriam). This local type 

 may be thought of as present in small numbers, but exact 

 information is not at hand. 



Ursus alexandrae Merriam. Miss ALEXANDER'S GRIZZLY 



Range: Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. This is notable as the 

 largest of the grizzly bears. No recent information of a definite 

 nature is at hand as to its present numbers. 



