The South Rockies Grizzly Bear Project Started in 1978 to provide knowledge on the grizzly bear population conservation and sustainability in British Columbia. The project is located in the South East Corner of British Columbia.
Through the use of genetic sampling the bears are assigned unique genetic fingerprints. The sampling is done through bait sites and tree rubs. Hairs are collected and through genetic analysis the bears can be identified. This allows the identification of individuals, sex, and the estimation of population size, population growth and more.
Through the use of collars, both GPS (Global Positioning System) and VHF (Very High Frequency) collars the bears can be tracked. While putting on the collars the researchers may also gather other information and samples while they have the bear in hand. Tracking by collars provide information on habitat use, daily movements, home ranges, den site locations, and survival of the collared individuals.
Objectives of the Study:
1. Obtain knowledge on how to conserve and sustain the British Columbia grizzly bear populations.
2. Identify factors that drive population size and structure.
Example Journal Publications:
1. Proctor, M.F., Bruce Mclellan, Gordon B. Stenhouse, Garth Mowat, Clayton T. Lamb and Mark S. Boyce. 2019. Effects of roads and motorized human access on grizzly bear populations in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada. Ursus, 30(2):16-39.
This paper explores how road use affects the grizzly bear population in British Columbia and Alberta. Through motorized access management the bear populations could benefit if used correctly.
2. Mclellan, B., Garth Mowat, Tony Hamilton, and Ian Hatter. 2016. Sustainability of the grizzly bear hunt in British Columbia, Canada: Sustainability of Grizzly Hunt. Journal of Wildlife Management, 81(2): 218-229.
This paper explores the sustainability of the grizzly bear hunt in British Columbia.
Website: https://grizzlyresearch.ca/