June 28, 2016, Twin Butte, Alberta – In 2011, Dr. Andrea Morehouse embarked on the Southwest Alberta Grizzly Bear Monitoring Project (GBMP), a collaborative effort between the University of Alberta, Alberta Environment and Parks, and Parks Canada, with the goal of generating an accurate population estimate of grizzly bears in the southwestern corner of Alberta in Bear Management Area 6 (BMA6).  Using non-invasive DNA analysis the project collected hair samples from 899 rub objects during 2011-2014 which were then sent to a lab for testing.

On June 28^th, 2016 Dr. Morehouse presented the final results from the GBMP at the Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association (WBRA) Annual General Meeting held at the Twin Butte Community Hall in Twin Butte, Alberta, located right in the heart of grizzly country.

While most folks came to the AGM to hear the grizzly bear population statistics for the area, Dr. Morehouse provided attendees with a great deal of insight about the other aspects of the project.  This included information on learned behavior in bears and how the distribution of grizzly bear incidents in southwestern Alberta has changed over the years.

Map showing Bear Management Areas in Alberta. Photo credit: Alberta Environment and Parks Draft Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan. Click to enlarge.

In 2007 the province estimated there were 51 grizzly bears in BMA 6.  When compared with grizzly bear densities in other parts of the province this represented the highest density of bears in Alberta at 18 bears/1000 km sq.  The final results of the 2011-2014 GBMP in this area updated the population estimates to 67 resident bears with a larger population of 172 grizzly bears that use the area.  This correlates to a population density of 20.4 grizzly bears/1000 km sq. in the Recovery Zone, and 17.1/1000‎ km sq. in the Support Zone.   The Recovery Zone and Support Zone are defined within the new draft Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan.  Southwestern Alberta continues to have the highest density grizzly bear population in the province.

The grizzly bears in BMA 6 are a part of a larger Rocky Mountain sub-population of over 1000 grizzly bears that includes bears in British Columbia and Montana.  In fact, over 50% of the bears identified through the GBMP were also detected in southeastern BC and northern Montana. “There is no ecological basis for partitioning an Alberta portion of this larger grizzly bear population, which makes producing meaningful density and abundance estimates challenging,” said Morehouse.  “These numbers, however, are necessary because grizzly bears are managed on state and provincial boundaries.  The new abundance estimate represents a 4% per year increase in the grizzly bear population since 2007, which is remarkably similar to recent population growth estimates from Montana.  While there is variability around all of these estimates, it is clear that the grizzly bear population in BMA6 has not declined.”

Since 1999 there has been a significant increase in grizzly bear incidents with people or property in southwestern Alberta.  From 1999 through 2014, the majority of grizzly bear incidents in southwestern Alberta (BMA 6 and the southern portion of BMA 5) were related to attractants (55.3%) followed by incidents that involved the killing or injury of livestock (39.5%).  Of the incidents involving attractants, 43% were related to grain storage, 37% were related to deadstock and the remainder involved pet food, garbage, vegetation, silage, bee hives, bird feeders or campsites.

As part of Dr. Morehouse’s research she also evaluated evidence of social learning of conflict behaviours.   Could it be that young bears were learning bad behavior from their parents or even inheriting it genetically? Using genotypes from 2043 grizzly bears from British Columbia, Montana and Alberta, along with Alberta conflict records, Dr. Morehouse was able to identify a link between incidents involving parent bears and their offspring.

“We found some evidence of social learning of conflict behaviours.  Cubs stay with their moms for 2-3 years during which time learning could take place,” said Morehouse.   “For this reason it is particularly important to try and discourage problem behavior from developing in the first place”.

Bear outside of electric at a Carnivores and Communities project.

In an effort to reduce conflict with large carnivores, the Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association implemented the Carnivores and Communities program in 2009, building upon the work already being done by local ranchers.    The Carnivores and Communities program provides support to farmers and ranchers to reduce attractants on their property.   This includes securing grain storage and deadstock removal, two of the main attractants identified in Morehouse’s report.  The WBRA also provides support for electric fencing and has bear resistant garbage bins available to rural residents in the program area.

“We know we can’t totally eliminate conflict with large carnivores, but what we can do is help landowners reduce the risk on their property through these projects”, said Jeff Bectell, WBRA Chair and Co-ordinator of the Carnivores and Communities program who also presented at the WBRA meeting.

The Carnivores and Communities program is primarily funded by the governments of Alberta and Canada but has also been supported by many other organizations.   “We couldn’t do this without the support of the local community.   This has always been a program driven by our farmers and ranchers who all deserve a thank you for not only looking after valuable grizzly bear habitat through good land stewardship, but also for being willing to undertake projects to minimize conflict with these animals,” says Bectell.

While the farmers and ranchers in southwestern Alberta are working to reduce attractants on the landscape, there is one attractant that will be hard to remove without giving up their livelihood and that is livestock.

Dr. Morehouse’s research comes at a critical time as the province of Alberta is currently updating their Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan.  As a part of the draft plan the province has allocated $150 000 to the Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association to continue projects aimed at reducing attractants.

“We appreciate the support that we have received so far.  Most farmers and ranchers appreciate the value of large carnivores on the landscape but the fact is these animals come with a cost, both economically and socially.” – Jeff Bectell.

For more information visit:

The Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association (WBRA):
www.watertonbiosphere.com
WBRA Carnivores and Communities Program
https://www.watertonbiosphere.com/projects/carnivores-communities/
Grizzly Bear Monitoring Project in Southwestern Alberta
http://aep.alberta.ca/fish-wildlife/wildlife-management/grizzly-bear-research/southwest-alberta-grizzly-monitoring/default.aspx
Research paper prepared by Andrea T. Morehouse and Mark S. Boyce – June 2016 – University of Alberta
Grizzly Bears Without Borders: Spatially Explicit Capture–Recapture in Southwestern Alberta
Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan
Overview of proposed Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan (4 pages)
Draft Alberta Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan (2016-2021)

For media inquires or further information please contact:

Jennifer Jenkins
Communications Coordinator
Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association
Email: jjenkins@watertonbiosphere.com
Phone: 403 627 9598

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Final results of the 2011-2014 Grizzly Bear Monitoring Project in Bear Management Area 6 to be released as a part of the Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association’s Annual General Meeting on June 28th, 2016.

Dr. Andrea Morehouse collecting grizzly bear hair for DNA analysis as a part of the Southwest Alberta Grizzly Bear Monitoring Project.        Photo credit: Striking Balance

Over the years there have been many different opinions on the grizzly bear population in southwestern Alberta.   While some folks may say that the grizzly bear population in the area in is jeopardy, many local residents have reported seeing more bears than ever before and feel the population is on the rise.

In an effort to provide accurate grizzly bear population estimates for southwestern Alberta, Dr. Andrea Morehouse began a grizzly bear DNA study in the area in 2011 which ran until 2014.   Over the 4 years of the study Morehouse and her team gathered hair samples from rub objects which were then sent for DNA analysis.

These DNA samples provide the number of individual bears who visited the area at some point during the study period.   From 2011 through 2014, 213 unique DNA profiles have been collected in the study area which is also known as “Bear Management Area 6” (BMA 6).  The boundaries of BMA6 are Hwy 3 to the north, British Columbia to the west, and Montana to the south.  The eastern extent aligns roughly with the eastern extent of grizzly bear range.

Of course, not all of these bears can be considered “resident bears” because grizzly bears that use BMA6 are part of a much larger international population of grizzly bears that includes British Columbia and Montana.  Obviously, not every bear will have used the rub objects, so how accurate will the DNA results be?

“The DNA results are just one piece of my research” says Morehouse.   While maybe the most critical piece of information gathered in the study, Dr. Morehouse used the DNA information to estimate the number of resident Alberta bears and the number of bears using the study area.  She has also evaluated patterns in grizzly bear-agricultural conflicts in the area.

On June 28^th, 2016 at the Twin Butte Community Hall, Dr. Morehouse will present the final results of the 2011-2014 Grizzly Bear Monitoring Project as a part of the Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The Waterton Biosphere Reserve has played a supportive role in the grizzly bear study as BMA 6 falls within the bounds of the Waterton Biosphere Reserve area.   Additionally, there has been a high incidence of carnivore conflicts in this area and the Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association has been administering programs to help producers reduce the risk of conflict.   This includes assistance with electric fencing, deadstock pickup, along with bear-resistant grain storage and garbage bins.

The results of Dr. Morehouse’s research come at an important time as on June 1^st, 2016 the Alberta Government released a new draft of the Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan (2016-2021).  “Grizzly bears were listed as Threatened in Alberta in 2010 , largely due to small population size, high rates of human-caused mortality and deteriorating habitat conditions –at that time there was an estimated 700–800 grizzly bears,” says the Alberta Government’s latest fact sheet on the new draft of Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan.  Recovery plans aim to maintain or recover threatened or endangered species.  Critical to the development of a recovery plan is analysis of species distribution and population trends. The Southwest Alberta Grizzly Bear Monitoring Project will provide the Government of Alberta with accurate population estimates which are essential to the new recovery plan.

Schedule of events on June 28^th:

6:30pm – Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association AGM
6:45pm – Short break and refreshments
7:00pm – Introductions and Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association update by Jeff Bectell, WBRA Chair
7:15pm – Presentation from Dr. Andrea Morehouse on the Grizzly Bear Monitoring Project in Southwestern Alberta
8:00pm – Discussion on the newly released draft of the Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan

The AGM and presentations to follow are open to the public.  Anyone interested in the current status of the grizzly bear population in BMA 6 is encouraged to come to the meeting.   Updates from the Waterton Biosphere Reserve will also include details on carnivore conflict resolution projects in the area.

To view event poster click here.

For more information visit:

The Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association (WBRA):
www.watertonbiosphere.com
WBRA Carnivores and Communities Program
https://www.watertonbiosphere.com/projects/carnivores-communities/
Grizzly Bear Monitoring Project in Southwestern Alberta
http://aep.alberta.ca/fish-wildlife/wildlife-management/grizzly-bear-research/southwest-alberta-grizzly-monitoring/default.aspx
Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan
Overview of proposed Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan (4 pages)
Draft Alberta Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan (2016-2021)

For media inquires or further information please contact:

Jennifer Jenkins
Communications Coordinator
Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association
Email: jjenkins@watertonbiosphere.com
Phone: 403 627 9598

The Twin Butte Community Hall is located along Highway 6 approximately 27km’s south of Pincher Creek, or 17Km’s north of the Waterton Park entrance.

The post Just how many grizzly bears are there in southwestern Alberta ? appeared first on Waterton Biosphere Region.

To date the film has been very well received, offering new perspectives on the challenges of living with large carnivores like grizzly bears.    Most importantly, Sharing the Range is providing opportunities for conversation regarding the management of grizzly bears.

“These discussions come at a critical time, with the impending release of a newly proposed Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan which will outline the future management of grizzly bears in the province of Alberta “, says Jeff Bectell, rancher, Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association Chair and Coordinator of the WBR Carnivore Working Group .

With this in mind, the Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association is bringing Sharing the Range to Calgary on September 22^nd and to Canmore on September 23^rd.   Part of these events will include a short history on grizzly bears in the province of Alberta and discussion periods with the audience.

Special guests at the showings in Canmore and Calgary will include Alberta Government Wildlife Specialists and ranchers from the Waterton Biosphere Reserve area in southwestern Alberta.    These events are open to the public and admission is free of charge (donations will be accepted).  RSVP is appreciated but not required.

We hope you will join us !

Special showings of Sharing the Range and opportunities for discussion are planned as follows:

Calgary

Date: September 22^nd, 2015
Time: 7pm
Location: Mount Royal University – Roderick Mah Centre – Room EC1040
Event webpage (includes map and parking details): http://www.sharingtherange.com/event/calgary/

Canmore

Date: September 23^nd, 2015
Time: 7pm
Location: Canmore Collegiate High School Theatre
Event webpage (includes map): http://www.sharingtherange.com/event/canmore/

For more information and to RSVP visit: www.sharingtherange.com

The post Special Showings of Sharing the Range – Calgary and Canmore 2015 appeared first on Waterton Biosphere Region.

Photo by Jen Jenkins

On November 12th and 13th, 2014,  The Waterton Biosphere Reserve Carnivore Working Group held public meetings in Cardston County, the M.D. of Pincher Creek, and the M.D. of Ranchland. With approximately 150 attendees in total, the Carnivore Working Group addressed concerns from area residents and hosted discussion regarding what the future may hold for the management of large carnivores in southwestern Alberta.

One significant finding presented at the meetings is new data which suggests that southwest Alberta’s residents are right; the number of grizzly bears in this neck of the woods is significantly higher than what previous reports suggest.

Since 2011 researcher Andrea Morehouse has been collecting hair samples from bears throughout the southwest corner of the province and sending them away for DNA analysis. In 2013, 128 grizzly bears were detected south of Highway 3. This brings the number of unique grizzly bear profiles identified since the study began to 177. Morehouse’s research comes at a critical time as the Province of Alberta works on a new Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan.

During the community meeting, Paul Frame, Provincial Carnivore Specialist with Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development presented an overview of the provinces updated approach to grizzly management which may take into account population density and local sensitivity.

The new Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan is expected to be open for public comment in early 2015.

Also attending the meetings were Alberta Fish and Wildlife officers who presented facts regarding the number and type of incidents involving large carnivores in southwestern Alberta.

The Carnivore Working Group continues to work on reducing large carnivore attractants which can have an impact on both the livelihood of farmers and ranchers and the personal safety of all residents.

“Farms and ranches provide food for people and also habitat for wildlife; including large carnivores. We can help producers make changes so that when large carnivores show up on private property there is less likelihood of conflict. That said, there will still need to be management options for dealing with problem bears, wolves and cougars,” says Jeff Bectell, local rancher and current chair of the Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association.

The Carnivore Working Group has recently proposed a number of changes to the livestock compensation program which they expect to hear back on by the spring of 2015. The group hopes these proposed changes will be an improvement on the current system and better suit the needs of livestock producers.

Updates relating to the Carnivore Working Group and the Grizzly Bear Recovery plan will be posted on our website as they become available.

Further reading:

2014 Grizzly Monitoring Update

Black Bear Monitoring 2014 Update

The post Waterton Biosphere Reserve Hosts Large Carnivore Meetings appeared first on Waterton Biosphere Region.