Black Bear Researcher
Spring Bear Count
Whistler supports high densities of black bears in high quality habitats. If you are to remember one thing about black bears, remember that their lives are driven by the search for and consumption of, food and that many of their behavioral strategies are shaped from the outcome.
Weight gain and the layering of fat are vital to successful reproduction and hibernation. Bears are extremely intelligent and diversified omnivores (meat and plant eaters) possessing the largest brain mass relative to body size of any carnivore (of which they are classified).
Bears rapidly form associations between trial and response (good — food; bad — no food/pain). The bears’ successful search for and consumption of food always outweigh the brief periods of no food or pain (hazing w/rubber bullets, cracker shells, etc.). Whistler bears are successful in feeding within the boundaries of residential communities and commercial properties. Generally, 80 per cent of the time when a bear is in Whistler Valley less than 500-metres to human activity, they are feeding on enhanced natural foods (clover, grass, horsetail, skunk cabbage, insects, and berries).
During the first spring count (May 1-15) a minimum of 53 different black bears have been identified in four sub-populations: Whistler Interpretive Forest, Whistler Mountain, Blackcomb Mountain, and Lost Lake-Fairmont Chateau Golf Course.
The 2001 berry crop (July-October) produced the greatest abundance of Vaccinium (huckleberry and blueberry) measured in 8 years (1994-2001). High berry production yields fat bears and increased reproduction and survival rates.
Weather and Spring Density
The first half of winter was easy for single bears and mothers with yearlings (cubs hibernating for the first time), while the late winter stretch through mid-May has kept most mothers with COY (newborn cubs) in dens. Cooler temperatures have prolonged the snowpack at lower elevations, retarding green-up and huckleberry flowering. Spring foods are restricted to the valley bottom and adjacent lower ski/mountain slopes – all within close proximity to people.
During the first two weeks of May, at least 53 bears were forced to feed within an area of approximately 24 square kilometres. Densities are fluctuating between 1 bear per .5 to 1 square kilometre. Within these small areas bears have to tolerate or avoid other bears, people, vehicles, and dogs while searching for restricted green-up.
There are seven bear family groups (mother and yearlings) which are being displaced daily. Between the fringe of the Fairmont Chateau Golf Course to the bottom of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, four bear families struggle every day to grasp a foothold of their territory. Some days they graze successfully on the favoured lush clover along slopes a stones throw from hotels and parking lots, while other days they are bounced around by other bears or intrusive human activity.
Habituation through adaptability gives females with yearlings the strategy to exploit enhanced natural foods in close proximity to people that other bears, such as adult males, would not tolerate.
Tolerating Human-Habituated Bears
During the last two weeks at the base of Blackcomb, resident female Molly and her two black yearlings (born Jan 2001) graze daily on clover below the Wizard/Magic chairlifts. Because of past developments the ski trail has been seeded with a mix containing clover.
Molly has tolerated the presence of people. She is not becoming tame nor is she losing her fear of people. It’s very easy to scare her away. Nearly all bears recognize that humans are dominant.
For most people, this is a difficult concept to grasp when they see a bear allowing the close approach of people. Even some people that work with bears often misinterpret this "bear space." You often hear justification, that bears were destroyed because they lost their fear of man. When a bear feeds in close proximity to people it is not necessarily dangerous. Each bear has an individual distance or area where it feels comfortable and secure with its surroundings. Depending on what enters that space, black bears have adapted through trial and learning that if they shorten this distance tolerating varying levels of intrusion they can benefit from enhanced food sources.
Bears adapt and promote toleration or habituation of people to avoid having to flee from important food sources and suffer habitat loss. Molly grazes close to humans because this is one of the few places where she can get the natural spring foods she requires to maintain her energy without bumping into a dozen bears that surround her territory. If she moves to the bottom of Whistler Mountain she encounters two bear families, including Katie and her two yearlings. If she moves toward the Fairmont Chateau Golf Course she bumps into adult males or other bear families, and if she travels up Blackcomb she runs out of food.
People watching and working around her need to understand why she needs to be grazing there and respect her "bear space." If you violate this space you create a situation of conflict where bears may likely be destroyed.
With all the bear awareness literature that promotes pushing bears away from people because they are too close, take a good look at Whistler Valley – its prime black bear habitat. It’s very difficult to successfully deter a bear from its required natural foods. Enhanced foods of Whistler Valley – clover, dandelions, skunk cabbage, insects and berries – are natural, seasonal requirements of Whistler black bear biology.
Mothers with Cubs-of-the-Year
Mother black bears with newborn cubs remain low key with minimal presence because they occupy very small areas, providing they are not disturbed. Their main concern is adult males as we approach the mating period (late May-late July).
Scent-trailing males looking for single females may intrude on a mother with cubs to separate the mother or kill the cubs to force the mother into estrous. Females have mated after cubs have been killed, however they do protect their cubs fiercely against male bears and coyotes.
As of May 20 only one mother (Heidi) has been identified emerging with three COY in the Whistler Interpretive Forest. At least six other female black bears are expected with newborn cubs. The extending snow pack and slower snow melt have prolonged emergence or restricted females to confined bedding areas until cubs are strong enough to make it to low elevation forage sites.
Potential Berry Crop Failures
During early May flowering of huckleberry and blueberry, some flowers have been killed by sub-zero temperatures. Spring bloom kills are the first stages of summer-fall berry crop failures. Those shrubs with lost flowers will not produce berries. If weather trends extend into early June – dark, cooler days and cold nights, low elevation huckleberry shrubs could receive widespread failure in summer berries. Higher elevation berry shrubs are currently buried under snow pack, providing protection, but could now be susceptible to extended delays in ripening.
Normal berry ripening in early August for the ski area may be delayed to late August or early September. Berry crop failures, whether scattered or widespread, and delays in ripening, coupled with increased bear numbers, could increase bear activity at low elevations where berries may be at the least more reliable and garbage may be available.
Frequently, our semi-coastal mountainous weather in Whistler can take a drastic turn and food production could be adjusted back on track. But for now, it’s something that many of us should be aware of when we encounter bears. Garbage management and toleration of close natural bear activities are key.
I would like to extend thanks and appreciation to the following people/organizations in support of spring bear research and education. Brian Barnett at Resort Municipality of Whistler, Municipal Grant-in-Aid, Stephanie and Julie at RMOW Parks and Recreation, staff and students from Myrtle Philip Community School, Whistler Question and Pique Newsmagazine, Whistler-Blackcomb, Fairmont Chateau Resort and Golf Course, Whistler Mountain Bike Park, Canadian Snowmobile and ATV Adventures Ltd., Westworld Magazine, and participants of BEAR FAMILY REPORTS.
Reporting bear families and yearlings is vital and interesting information. A database with all participants’ information will be published in Pique Newsmagazine at the end of the bear season during December. BEAR FAMILY REPORTS is also inputted into the Whistler Valley bear mapping database on activity and movement patterns. To report a bear family (mothers with cubs or yearlings) please include date, colour of bears, litter size, and location to 604-898-2713 or e-mail mallen_coastbear@direct.ca .
