The existing healthy bear population in the Ozark and Ouachita National Forests in northwestern Arkansas is the result of a very successful repatriation effort in the 1950's and 60's. About 250 bears were initially stocked from Minnesota and Manitoba, Canada, leading to an estimated current population approaching 3,500. That effort is considered to be the most successful reintroduction of a large carnivore in the world.

In 2000, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) conducted an outreach program to gauge public sentiment about another restocking plan, this time to move black bears to southern Arkansas. The project would involve moving bears 100 miles from White River NWR in eastern Arkansas to Felsenthal NWR in southern Arkansas. A telephone survey of over 400 local citizens living in the 9 county area around Felsenthal NWR showed that 72% of people where favorable to the plan. AGFC also conducted 6 public meetings, where 85% of the attendees were in favor of the plan. Given the positive public support, the next phase of moving bears was ready to start.

Truly a cooperative effort, the restocking project involves a dedicated team from AGFC, University of Tennessee (UT), U.S. Geological Survey’s Southern Appalachian Field Branch, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). In addition to government agencies, the Anderson-Tully Company, Deltic Timber Company, and the Montgomery Island Hunting Club are also active partners in the black bear population restoration effort.

Between 2000 and 2006, 48 adult females and 101 cubs were moved to the restocking area. While most bears were captured on the White River NWR, some were taken from Big Island, owned by the Anderson-Tully Company, and Montgomery Island, owned by Montgomery Island Hunting Club. Forty-six of the 48 bears were released on Felsenthal NWR; 2 bears with cubs were released on Deltic Timber Company lands adjacent to the refuge.

Project biologists have been monitoring these females and found that some bears have stayed in and around the repatriation area. The plan is to continue monitoring the bear population in  Felsenthal  and the surrounding area to document increases or declines in the local bear population.  The overall goal  is to have and maintain a self-sustaining population of bears in that area.