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Bear Update: Spring bear count

During May and June I will be conducting the annual bear count for Whistler.
hairtrap

Whistler Black Bear Project

Two methods are used to determine the minimum spring population of black bears in Whistler: 1) to identify and count individual bears at "bear activity cells" within clumped food sources (landfill, valley skunk cabbage swamps, ski area, golf course, Lost Lake, and Emerald Forest) and 2) to collect hair samples from 50 barbed-wired hair traps for subsequent DNA analysis and permanent marking.

I have been monitoring bear population trends since 1994. The number of adult females has increased, with adult males decreasing and cub production correlated with huckleberry abundance (pregnant female weight gain) that itself is governed by climate influence on berry phenology. I refer to this cycle as Bees, Berries, and Bears. On May 30 at Millennium Place I will present the population trend including annual cyclic events of Whistler black bears.

I would like to thank residents and visitors to Whistler that have over the years called in with their bear reports and stories of bear families (and other bears). From kid’s incredible stories to e-mails and phone calls to someone pulling me over on Granville Street in downtown Vancouver to tell me of their sighting of a bear family in Whistler – this information is extremely helpful.

I confirm about 70 per cent of what the public reports, which is good. Basically, it guides me in the right direction for identifying bears in areas I don’t frequent as much or that are under-sampled. So thank you; it is vital information which I believe stimulates public involvement and introduces a shift in attitude and/or perception of local bears from complaints to genuine conservation.

I am asking again this year – especially in May and June – to report any family groups (females with cubs or yearlings) and large single bears or courting pairs (breeding period: June-July). All public reports are maintained in a database by the Whistler Black Bear Project for research and education use only. Phone numbers and addresses remain confidential.

No research investigating behaviour or population ecology of black bears in "urban habitats" has occurred in British Columbia except within the RMOW. Black bears have been "managed" in response to bear-human conflicts (deterred, relocated, and/or destroyed) but not studied.

Despite provincial population estimates of 120,000-160,000 animals little scientific data exists on black bear behaviour and population dynamics adjacent to people in a dynamic landscape.

Traditional field research methods for large, shy, forest-dwelling mammals are radio telemetry. Animals can be captured, collared, and re-captured for a population estimate. Subsequently, collared animals may be monitored to determine behaviour, biology, movements, and mortality. However, radio telemetry programs are expensive, and the requirement of 3-5 years to achieve statistical safe efforts could result in hundreds of thousands of dollars. Many environs throughout North America do not have an option due to densely covered study areas where bear visibility is poor and/or study objectives dictate the use of a collar.

The landscape at Whistler offers a different scenario for successful long term black bear studies and monitoring. From 1994 to 2003, I discovered changes in landscape – from timber harvest, silviculture prescription, recreation, wildfire, and residential/commercial development – that positively influenced bear habitat – specifically berry-producing shrub communities and lush spring forage within the RMOW. I define these habitats as "clumped food sources" attracting high numbers of bears frequently each season.

And because bear sight-ability is high (bears feeding and travelling in semi-open, fragmented habitat), identification is reliable through unique traits of individual animal coat colour, markings, size, and behaviour. By identifying and counting bears at clumped food sources and adjacent corridors inferences can be made regarding the dynamics of the Whistler black bear population.

Hair-trapping sessions have been conducted since 2002 to determine parentage and relatedness among sub-populations (Whistler Mountain, Blackcomb Mountain, landfill, golf courses, etc.). In 2003 hair-trapping was performed for the first time to determine population estimates using DNA finger-printing. The advantage of DNA application is you don’t have to see or ID the animal. Analysis confirms gender and the permanent genetic record of individual bears. Results from 2002-03 lab analysis of 342 hair samples will be available in June and will be presented at the fall public presentation on Sept. 17 at Millennium Place.

Hair-trapping does not attract bears into residential areas. The baited (bears do not receive rewards) hair trap "catches" bears that are already frequenting residential greenbelts for the purposes of feeding, travelling, and/or bedding.

Hair traps are safe to other large and small wildlife, including dogs. If you encounter the red and white hair trap sign please do not linger in the area, especially if you have a dog. Signage is checked weekly when hair is collected and baits are replaced. Sometimes bears pull down signs to chew.

Thanks to supporters of the hair-trapping program: Whistler Museum and Archives Society (Karen Overgaard), Whistler Blackcomb Mountains (Allana Hamm, Arthur De Jong, and staff), Resort Municipality of Whistler (Brian Barnett), Simon Fraser University REM Department (Kris Rothley and Robyn Appleton), Community Foundation of Whistler, Whistler Bear Working Group, and Fairmont Chateau Golf Course.

Questions, information, or to report bear families (and other bears) please call 604-902-1660 or e-mail me at mallen_coastbear@direct.ca. Thanks for everyone’s input and to Pique Newsmagazine for sponsorship of Bear Update columns.