Grizzly
and Black Bear Genetics
Intensive
research on black and grizzly bears has been conducted in the
Illecillewaet and adjacent watersheds since 1995. The following
graphic depicts a 1996 grizzly bear genetic monitoring census
largely to the east of the Illecillewaet. Additional surveys
were conducted in 1997 farther to the east and in 1998 there was
a major genetic survey largely within the Illecillewaet (not
shown). The graphic shows the number of unique genotypes found
in each 8x8 km survey cell.
For an overview
of this project see the West
Slopes Bear Research Project - 1994-1999 Synopsis on the CMI
website.
A Black
& Grizzly Bear DNA Census Map is available
here.
For a description
of the genetic survey method see:
Hobson, K.A., B.N.
McLellan, and J.G. Woods.2000. Using stable carbon (13C) and
nitrogen (15N) isotopes to infer trophic level relationships
among black and grizzly bears in the Upper Columbia River basin,
British Columbia. Canadian Journal of Zoology 78: 1332-1339.
Woods, J. G., D.
Paetkau, D. Lewis, B. McLellan, M. Proctor, C. Strobeck. 1999.
Genetic tagging of free-ranging black and brown bears. Wildlife
Society Bulletin 27:616-627.
For information
on bear mortality within this area see:
McLellan, B., F.
Hovey, R. Mace, J. Woods, D. Carney, M. Gibeau, W. Wakkinen, W.
Kasworm. 1999. Rates and causes of grizzly bear mortality in the
interior mountains of British Columbia, Alberta, Montana,
Washington, and Idaho. Journal of Wildlife Management: 63:
911-920.
To discuss the
project with the current researcher team please contact:
Dr.
John G. Woods, Wildlife Biologist,
Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks, Box 350,
Revelstoke, British Columbia, V0E 2S0 john_woods@pch.gc.ca
