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Bear Update: Genetic Tagging of Whistler Bears Underway

Michael Allen Bear Researcher The Whistler Black Bear Project (WBBP) will be conducting surveys to determine minimum population estimates of Whistler bears by collecting bear hair from baited, barbed-wired enclosures during peak spring (June/July) an

Michael Allen

Bear Researcher

The Whistler Black Bear Project (WBBP) will be conducting surveys to determine minimum population estimates of Whistler bears by collecting bear hair from baited, barbed-wired enclosures during peak spring (June/July) and fall (September/October) bear activity seasons.

Approximately 50, non-invasive barbed-wired enclosures are constructed at valley bottom, lower slope, and mid-mountain, likely bear use habitats to collect hair samples for DNA analysis.

A scent lure is hung out from bears’ reach (four metres above the ground) at each enclosure to attract bears under or over a 50-cm high single strand of barbed wire fastened around a cluster of trees. As the bear enters the enclosure, its hair is snagged (no injury to bear) along the barbs.

Bait is refreshed every seven days, followed by hair collection. Four sampling sessions are run for each spring and fall season.

All hair trap sites will have signage in four locations (north, east, south and west). It is doubtful that sites will be encountered by people because they are situated in dense forest cover away from trails and residential areas. However, if you encounter a sign and/or trap site, please leave the area at once. If you have a dog or dogs, leash them immediately and leave the area.

DNA Analysis

Bear hair samples will be submitted to Dr. David Paetkau, senior geneticist at Wildlife Genetics International Ltd. in Nelson, B.C. Hair is analyzed for individuality and gender. Analysis first determines individuality because there will be obvious repeats (the same bears hitting traps more than once) which yield an individual genetic code identifying each animal for the rest of their life, and secondly for gender (male or female).

For example, if I send in 300 hair samples from the spring survey, the lab will analyze and reply with a minimum population of 110 black bears with a sex ratio of 60 females to 50 males.

Results from DNA analysis will provide the first population estimate for the Whistler bear population. An estimate yields a baseline for population trend surveys including important questions such as: are bear numbers increasing or decreasing? Are the numbers of male bears decreasing? And are male bears surviving to mature breeding status?

During the last decade mortality has been highest amongst the male cohort. The number of reproducing females has remained stable and cub production fluctuates with berry abundance and pregnant female weight gain.

Male bears are more susceptible to mortality from bear/human conflicts, relocation (removal), vehicle/train collisions, and hunting (in outlying areas of Whistler) than females because they have greater movements and yearling males are forced from mother’s territories (by the mothers) to avoid inbreeding and potential cub predation. Sub-adult males disperse into and through Whistler Valley, often tolerating human activity to avoid the prime natural feeding areas filled with dominant bears.

My concern, because of the reduction in adult males during mating, is what happens if the dominant male gene pool is made up of fewer bears?

Matching DNA to Known Bears

Typically in hair trapping surveys, you cannot match hair samples to known (visual ID) individual bears, but, because I have a photo-ID bear index in place that includes matching hair samples from 2002-03 to my study bears, I will be able to monitor the locations/abundance of bears. This means that the movements of dispersing males can be tracked into problem (or potential) areas of Whistler.

Having bear hair analyzed also sets the stage for revealing relatedness and paternity scenarios. For example, the young male bear that visits your backyard – who is he related to? A ski area mother female? Or has he moved into Whistler from an outlying population? Once enough samples are analyzed, matches should be made between adult females, offspring, and potential fathers.

The Genetic Tagging Program for Whistler bears is approved by the Ministry of Water, Air, and Land Protection (WALP) and the Whistler Bear Working Group. Financial support has been secured (with thanks) from the School of Resource and Environmental Management at Simon Fraser University (SFU) and the MWALP. Funding is pending from Whistler-Blackcomb and the RMOW. SFU graduate student Robyn Appleton will be assisting me with hair trapping.

Bear Family Report

To date there are a minimum of 9 bear families including 18 COY (cub-of-the-year) born in January 2003. Despite the poor berry crop last fall, pregnant females somehow pulled off enough weight gain to support many two and even three-cub litter sizes. However, many of these pregnant females secured required fall food sources from human foods that unfortunately, allow them to gain sufficient weight for successful reproduction.

If you encounter a bear family in Whistler speak to them in regular tones and give them lots of space. If they are in your backyard it’s difficult to scare them out because cubs will react on their own to threats and quickly climb trees.

Cubs do not require guidance from mothers during a sudden threat although most of the time mothers do lead cub behavior. I think it’s best to give them space and time and they will leave. Most family activity and their scats (droppings) show bears are simply grazing on dandelion flowers and clover, and foraging carpenter ants in rotten logs, stumps, and under rocks.

Make absolutely sure you do not have any attractants outside your home, including garbage, recycling containers, bird feeders, pet food, and food-coated barbecues. If they are into garbage, as with any bear, call Bylaw Services or the RCMP.

I am interested in bear family group sightings and if you have photos representing a clear view of a bear’s head (face) and neck and/or chest, please e-mail or notify me. Please do not approach bears to photograph.

Thanks to Pique Newsmagazine for support of this bear outreach. Questions, information, or bear family sighting reports please call Michael Allen at 604-902-1660 or e-mail mallen_coastbear@direct.ca.