DOCSLIB.ORG

Grizzly Bear Predation on a Bison Calf in Yellowstone National Park

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Grizzly Bear Predation on a Bison Calf in Yellowstone National Park SHORTCOMMUNICATIONS 377 Wild mammals of North America-biology, management, Pennsylvania,USA. and economics. The John Hopkins University Press, MEALEY,S.P. 1975. The naturalfood habits of free ranging Baltimore,Maryland, USA. grizzly bears in Yellowstone National Park, 1973-1974. , J.S. SUMNER,AND J.A. MITCHELL.1995. The grizzly Thesis, MontanaState University, Bozeman, Montana, USA. bears of Yellowstone: their ecology in the Yellowstone MECH,L.D. 1966. The wolves of Isle Royale. Fauna of the ecosystem, 1959-1992. Island Press, Washington, D.C., NationalParks of the U.S. U.S. GovernmentPrinting Office, USA. WashingtonD.C., USA. DESPAIN,D. 1990. Yellowstone's vegetation: consequencesof NATIONALPARK SERVICE.1984. Fishing Bridge and the history and environment. Roberts Rinehart,Incorporated Yellowstone ecosystem: a report to the director. U.S. Publishing,Boulder, Colorado, USA. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, GREEN,G.I., D.J. MATrSON,AND J.M. PEEK. 1997. Springfeeding YellowstoneNational Park,Wyoming, USA. on ungulate carcasses by grizzly bears in Yellowstone REYNOLDS,H.W., R.D. GLAHOLT,AND A.W.L. HAWLEY. 1982. National Park. Journalof Wildlife Management61:1040- Bison (Bison bison). Pages 972-1007 in J.A. Chapmanand 1055. G.A. Feldhammer, editors. Wild mammals of North GUNTHER,K.A., ANDR.A. RENKIN.1990. Grizzlybear predation America: biology, management, and economics. John on elk calves and otherfauna of YellowstoneNational Park. Hopkins University Press, Baltimore,Maryland, USA. InternationalConference on BearResearch and Management ROE,F.G. 1951. The North Americanbuffalo. University of 8:329-334. TorontoPress, Toronto,Canada. JACOBYM.E., G.V. HILDERBRAND,C. SERVHEEN, C.C. SCHWARTZ, .1970. The North Americanbuffalo. Second edition. S.M. ARTHUR,T.A. HANLEY,C.T. ROBBINS, AND R. MICHENER. University of TorontoPress, Toronto,Canada. 1999. Tropicrelations of brown and black bears in several SCHLEYER,B.O. 1983. Activity patternsof grizzly bearsin the western North American ecosystems. Journalof Wildlife Yellowstone ecosystem and their reproductive behavior, Management63:921-929. predation,and the use of carrion. Thesis, Montana State KNIGHT,R.R., B.M. BLANCHARD,AND P. SCHULLERY.1999. University,Bozeman, Montana,USA. Yellowstonebears. Pages 51-75 in T.W.Clark, A.P. Curlee, SCHULLERY,P. 1992. The bears of Yellowstone. High Plains S.C. Minta, and P.M. Kareiva, editors. Carnivores in Publishing Company, Incorporated,Worland, Wyoming, ecosystems: the Yellowstone experience. Yale University USA Press, New Haven, Connecticut,USA. SHAW,J.H., ANDM. MEAGHER.1998. Bison. Pages 447-466 in MATTSON,D.J. 1997. Use of ungulatesby Yellowstonegrizzly S. Demarais and P.R. Krausman, editors. Ecology and bears, Ursus arctos. Biological Conservation81:161-177. managementof largemammals in NorthAmerica. Prentice- , B.M. BLANCHARD,ANDD.R. KNIGHT.1991. Food habits Hall Press, Upper SaddlebackRiver, New Jersey,USA. of Yellowstonegrizzly bears, 1977-1987. CanadianJournal SMITH,D.W., L.D. MECH,M. MEAGHER,W.E. CLARK, R. JAFFE, of Zoology 69:1619-1629. M.K. PHILLIPS,AND J.A. MACK. 2000. Wolf-bison MEAGHER,M.M. 1973. The bison of YellowstoneNational Park. interactions in Yellowstone National Park. Journal of U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Mammalogy81:1128-1135. Scientific Monograph Series No. 1, U.S. Government PrintingOffice, WashingtonD.C., USA. Received: 30 2001. 1978. Bison. Pages 123-133 in J.L. Schmidt and July C.W. Schwartz, editors. Big game of North America: Accepted: 19 December 2001. Ecology and management. Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, Associate Editor: Harris. GRIZZLYBEAR PREDATIONON A BISON CALFIN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK NATHAN VARLEY,Symbiosis Consulting, P.O. Box 490, Gardiner, Ungulate meat is one of the most concentrated sources MT59030, USA, email: [email protected] of digestible and available to bears KERRYA. GUNTHER,Bear ManagementOffice, P.O. Box 168, energy protein grizzly YellowstoneNational Park, WY 82190, USA, email: (Ursus arctos horribilis) in the Yellowstone ecosystem [email protected] (Mealey 1975, Pritchardand Robbins 1990, Craigheadet al. 1995). Grizzly bears obtain ungulatemeat primarily Ursus 13:377-381 (2002) throughscavenging winter-killed elk (Cervuselaphus) and bison (Bisonbison) carrion (Craighead et al. 1995,Mattson Key words: bison, Bison bison, grizzly bear, predation, Ursus arctos 1997), usurping wolves (Canis lupus) from their ungu- horribilis late kills (D. Smith, Yellowstone National Park, Wyo- ming, USA, unpublished data), and by predation on elk 378 Ursus 13:2002 calves (Mattson1997). Althoughpredation on elk calves No other bison were visible in the area. Although hills in YellowstoneNational Park (YNP), by bothgrizzly bears blocked the view in some areas, the landscape could be andAmerican black bears (U. americanus),has been well observed for >500 m in all directions, and for a km or documented(e.g., Howell 1921, Johnson1951, Cole 1972, more in most directions. When the cow and calf ap- Craigheadand Mitchell 1982, Guntherand Renkin 1990), proachedthe base of the slope below wherethe bearswere we found no records in the literaturedocumenting bear foraging,they began to trotpast, the cow in the lead. The predationon bison calves. Although Skinner(1927) re- adultgrizzly, approximately200 metersupslope from the portedthat grizzly bearspreyed on bison calves, he gave bison, stood on her hind legs and looked at the cow and no descriptionto documentthat he actually saw it occur. calf as they trottedpast. The bear then droppeddown to We describe a successful predatoryattack on a bison all 4 legs andran down the slope pursuingthe bison, leav- calf by a grizzly bear in YNP, Wyoming. The event was ing her cubs behind. As soon as the bear began running observed by the senior authorand observed and photo- downslope, the cow andcalf began to runaway. The cow graphedby both a professionalcinematographer (Landis changedposition and ranbehind her calf, keeping herself Wildlife Films, Gardiner,Montana, USA) and a still pho- between the bear and her calf. Within seconds, the bear tographer(Chadwick and Sartore2001). The film foot- had closed the distance and was within a few meters of age allowed repeatedreview by both authors,enabling us the fleeing cow and calf. The chase proceededwest to- to clearly describethe event. We also had an experienced ward the bank of the river and reacheda swale approxi- bison biologist review the videotapedfilm of the preda- mately 1 km from the observerswhere sagebrushand the tion event. low swale partiallyobscured our view. As the bearstarted The kill took place in Hayden Valley in central YNP. to pass the cow in pursuit of the calf, the cow whirled Hayden Valley is a large (>8,500 ha) nearly treeless val- aroundand confronted the bear. However,the bearveered ley surroundedby the forested CentralPlateau. Flora in past the cow and continuedchasing the calf. When the 3 the valley consists of sagebrush(Artemisia spp.) and a animalsemerged from the swale, the calf was runningin varietyof forbs,grasses, and sedges (Carexspp.) (Meagher front followed by the bear and then the cow. As the bear 1973). Numerous graminoid-dominatedwetlands are drew near the calf, the calf turnedand ran in tighterand present in the valley. Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) tightercircles. The chasemoved back into the swale again, forest types thatoccur on infertilerhyolite soils dominate partiallyobscuring our view. While in the swale, the bear the forestedplateau surrounding Hayden Valley (Despain made contactwith the calf and knockedit down. It made 1990). Spruce(Picea engelmannii)-fir(Abies lasiocarpa) contact again and appearedto bite the calf before jump- standsare interspersed throughout the lodgepolepine zone ing out of the way of the chargingcow, which lowered its in areasof morefavorable moisture regimes such as pond head andtried to hook at the bearwith its horns. The bear margins, north slopes, and drainages (Graham 1978). reappearedfrom the swale holding the calf in its mouth Bison are active in Hayden Valley during all months of with the cow chasing it. The bear stopped, droppedthe the yearand breed and calve in the valley (Meagher1973). calf, and stood its groundover the calf while facing the Grizzlybears are active in the valley throughoutthe non- cow. The cow momentarilystopped pursuingit, but re- denning season from Marchthrough November. mained20-30 metersaway, circling and occasionally rush- The senior authorobserved the event from a vehicle ing in and hooking its horns at the bear. However, the pullout along the GrandLoop Road in Hayden Valley at cow always retreatedquickly when the bear did not run. approximately730 hourson 26 June2000. Observations After the cow stopped chargingat the bear, the bear be- were made with a 40x spotting scope and 8x binoculars. gan to eat the calf. The cow stayed 20-30 meters away An adultfemale grizzly bear accompaniedby 2 cubs-of- and occasionally nibbled grass. After the bear had been the-yearwas foraging approximately2.5 km away, on a feeding on the calf for approximately15 minutes,the cow southwest facing slope on the northeast side of the abruptlyran northand did not return. Yellowstone River. The bear moved throughthe sage- The bearfed on the calf for about30 minutes,then spent brush in a searching patterncommonly observed when approximately10 minutescovering the carcasswith dirt, bearsare huntingfor newbornelk calves, as describedby grass, and sagebrushbranches. By this time, the cubs had Guntherand Renkin
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Grizzly Bear Fact Sheet
    Identify Grizzly from Black Bears Grizzly bears typically weigh 100-200 kg (females) to 200-300 kg (males) which is slightly more than black bears. Grizzly bears have a shoulder hump, range in colour from blonde to black and may have silver or light- tipped guard hairs on their head, hump and back. A grizzly bear’s ears are rounded and appear smaller than the black bear, while the black bear has more pointed, noticeable ears and no shoulder hump. Grizzly bear claws are longer than those of black bears and may have a light-coloured stripe. In grizzly bear ISBN: 978-0-7785-8683-8 (Printed Version) tracks, the tips of the front claws usu- 978-0-7785-8683-8 (Online Version) ally leave imprints in front of the paw Printed July 2009 pad, and the toes are set in a nearly straight line. In black bear tracks, the claw imprints are difficult to see, and the front toes form an obvious arc. Reproduction Range Grizzly bear numbers are limited by a slow reproductive rate. This is Grizzly bears can be found caused by a relatively high age of first reproduction, small litter siz- in Alberta from the Montana es, and long periods between litters. In Alberta, most female grizzlies border, along the mountains do not have their first litter until they are at least four years old and and foothills and continuing usually have only one or two cubs. The cubs are born in January or north through the western February and stay with their mother for two to five years.
    [Show full text]
  • How People Should Respond When Encountering a Large Carnivore: Opinions of Wildlife Professionals Dy L a N E
    Human–Wildlife Conflicts 2(2):194–199, Fall 2008 How people should respond when encountering a large carnivore: opinions of wildlife professionals DYLA N E. BRO wn , 507 Silo Loop, Kinsey, Montana 59338, USA [email protected] MI C HAEL R. CO N OVER , Jack H. Berryman Institute, Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322-5230, USA Abstract: We conducted telephone surveys of wildlife professionals who work with large carnivores to ask their opinions about how people should respond to avoid being injured when confronted by a black bear (Ursus americana), grizzly bear (Ursus arctos), mountain lion (Puma concolor), or gray wolf (Canis lupus). The respondents agreed that the most appropriate response was to try to increase the distance between a person and the carnivore. In the event of an attack by a black bear, mountain lion, or wolf, most respondents said to fight back. Opinion was divided over the best response for an individual who was being attacked by a grizzly bear, but a slight majority of professionals said to fight back if the attack was predatory and be passive if the attack was defensive; however, respondents also noted that many victims would be unable to identify the bear’s motive. If a black bear came into camp, most respondents said that a person should aggressively encourage the bear to leave and to fight back against a bear that enters a tent at night, regardless of species. Respondents unanimously agreed that bear pepper-spray is effective in defending against an attack. While any encounter with a large carnivore can be fatal to the person involved, we believe that selecting the right course of action increases the odds that the victim can escape without injury.
    [Show full text]
  • Predation by a Golden Eagle on a Brown Bear Cub
    SHORT COMMUNICATION N Sørensen et al. Predation by a golden eagle on a brown bear cub Ole J. Sørensen1,4, Mogens Totsa˚ s2, Tore eagles attending bears. Murie hypothesized that Solstad2, and Robin Rigg3 eagles attending bears were waiting for opportunities to capture prey trying to escape from the bears. He 1North-Trondelag University College, Department of also observed eagles swooping at and diving low over Natural Resource Sciences and Information Technology, grizzlies and other carnivores, but interpreted this Box 2501, N-7729 Steinkjer, Norway behavior as play or curiosity, rather than predation. 2 Norwegian Nature Inspectorate, N-7485 Trondheim, C. McIntyre (US National Park Service, Fair- Norway 3 banks, Alaska, USA, personal communication, 2008), Slovak Wildlife Society, PO Box 72, 033 01 Liptovsky a golden eagle researcher in Denali National Park for Hradok, Slovakia many years, has never seen an eagle attack a bear, although she has often observed eagles following Abstract: During spring 2004 an adult female brown bears in open terrain, perhaps positioning themselves bear (Ursus arctos) and her 3 cubs-of-the-year were to take prey escaping from the bear as suggested by observed outside their den on a south-facing low- Murie. Commensalistic hunting, as well as curious or alpine slope in central Norway. They remained near play behavior by eagles in the vicinity of bears, could the den for 8–10 days and were, except for one day, be misinterpreted as eagles hunting, attacking, or observed daily by Totsa˚s and other wardens of the inspecting bears as possible prey. Predation by eagles Norwegian Nature Inspectorate.
    [Show full text]
  • The Effects of the Lake Trout Introduction in Yellowstone Lake on Populations Outside the Aquatic a Meta-Analytic Study
    Migrate, Mutate, or Die: The effects of the lake trout introduction in Yellowstone Lake on populations outside the aquatic A Meta-Analytic Study By Sarah Z. Gandhi-Besbes University of Colorado at Boulder A thesis submitted to the University of Colorado at Boulder in partial fulfilment of the requirements to receive Honours designation in Environmental Studies May 2016 Thesis Advisors: Alexander Cruz, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Committee Chair Dale Miller, Environmental Studies Andrew Martin, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology © 2016 by Sarah Z. Gandhi-Besbes All rights reserved i Abstract Yellowstone National Park is a relatively pristine ecosystem preserved through time. The Yellowstone cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri population, inhabiting shallower waters in Yellowstone Lake and spawning in its tributaries, has been declining primarily due to the introduction of a predatory fish. The lake trout Salvelinus namaycush, which rapidly grow to large sizes, feed on the Yellowstone cutthroat trout, breed and spawn in Yellowstone Lake, and dwell in deeper waters out of predatory reach. The Yellowstone cutthroat trout is relied upon both directly and indirectly by more than 40 species within Yellowstone National Park. The grizzly bear Ursus arctos horribilis, bald eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus, and osprey Pandion halaetus all feed directly on the spawning fish. This study looks at how the declining Yellowstone cutthroat trout populations affect these predatory populations, and what their populations may look like should current trends continue into the year 2030. Conducting a meta-analysis and collecting primary data allowed for statistical projections predicting and comparing estimated future populations. The ecological change in Yellowstone Lake provides insight into how the concerns of one ecosystem affects multiple.
    [Show full text]
  • Yellowstone Grizzly Bears: Ecology and Conservation of an Icon of Wildness
    YELLOWSTONE GRIZZLY BEARS ecology and conservation of an ICON OF WILDNESS EDITED BY P.J. White, Kerry A. Gunther, and Frank T. van Manen YELLOWSTONE GRIZZLY BEARS Yellowstone Grizzly Bears: Ecology and Conservation of an Icon of Wildness Editors P. J. White, Kerry A. Gunther, and Frank T. van Manen Contributing Authors Daniel D. Bjornlie, Amanda M. Bramblett, Steven L. Cain, Tyler H. Coleman, Jennifer K. Fortin-Noreus, Kevin L. Frey, Mark A. Haroldson, Pauline L. Kamath, Eric G. Reinertson, Charles T. Robbins, Daniel J. Thompson, Daniel B. Tyers, Katharine R. Wilmot, and Travis C. Wyman Managing Editor Jennifer A. Jerrett YELLOWSTONE FOREVER, YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK AND U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, NORTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN SCIENCE CENTER Yellowstone Forever, Yellowstone National Park 82190 Published 2017 Contents Printed in the United States of America All chapters are prepared solely by officers or employees of the United States Preface ix government as part of their official duties and are not subject to copyright protection Daniel N. Wenk, Superintendent, Yellowstone National Park in the United States. Foreign copyrights may apply. National Park Service (NPS) photographs are not subject to copyright protection in the United States. Foreign Introduction xv copyrights may apply. However, because this work may contain other copyrighted images or other incorporated material, permission from the copyright holder may be P. J. White, Kerry A. Gunther, and Frank T. van Manen necessary. Cover and half title images: www.revealedinnature.com by Jake Davis. Chapter 1: The Population 1 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data P. J. White, Kerry A. Gunther, and Travis C.
    [Show full text]
  • 47 C. OTHER FEDERALLY LISTED SPECIES WITHIN the RANGE SPOTTED OWL 47 Oregon Silverspot Butterfly 47 Aleutian Canada Goose 48
    47 C. OTHER FEDERALLY LISTED SPECIES WITHIN THE RANGE SPOTTED OWL 47 Oregon Silverspot Butterfly 47 Aleutian Canada Goose 48 Bald Eagle 49 Peregrine Falcon 50 Gray Wolf 50 Grizzly Bear 51 Columbian White-tailed Deer C. Other Fe Range of the No Nine wildlife species within the range of the northern spotted owl are listed by the federal government as threatened or endangered: the northern spotted owl, marbled murrelet, Oregon silverspot butterfly, Aleutian Canada goose, bald eagle, peregrine falcon, gray wolf, grizzly bear, and Columbian white-tailed deer. Discussions of species ecology for the spotted owl and marbled murrelet are found in Sections A and B of this chapter, respectively. Habitat needs of the other seven species are reviewed below, followed by Table 111.8, which lists for each of the nine species its federal and state status and in which HCP planning unit each could potentially occur. on Silvers The Oregon silverspot butterfly (Speyeria zerene hippolyta) is the only federally listed species of arthropod that is found in Washington (WDW 1993a). This butterfly is currently listed by the federal government as threatened and by the state as endangered. However, no critical habitat in I Washington has been designated under the Endangered Species Act (WDW 1993b). The Oregon silverspot is found only in habitats that support its larval host plant, western blue violet (Viola adunca). Such habitats include coastal salt-spray meadows and open fields. In Washington, potential habitat for the Oregon silverspot is limited to the coastal grasslands on the Long Beach peninsula near Loomis Lake (WDW 199313; WDW 1991).Adult butterflies are thought to rest and feed in adjacent open spruce/shoreline pine forest glades, where they are protected from wind and can feed on nectar available from a number of plant species.
    [Show full text]
  • Determining the Importance of Grizzly Bear Predation on Southern
    Determining the importance of grizzly bear predation on southern mountain caribou populations Results to Date – February 2015: Objective 2: Model the probability of caribou mortality by grizzly bears and assess variation associated with biological factors and landscape characteristics. During the summer of 2014, we visited 175 clusters from 8 grizzly bears - 3 adult males and 5 adult females. We found 25 ungulate carcass sites. Of the 25 carcasses, three were confirmed caribou; one was a mountain goat, one a mule deer and the remainder (20) were moose. We are in the process of classifying carcasses likely killed by the bear or scavenged. We found several carcasses we suspect were killed by cougars that the bear subsequently fed on. Clusters dating from mid May to mid September were visited but some clusters were missed due to forest fires, weather, and helicopter availability. In addition, we were restricted from flying into the mountains (with the exception of Jasper) after the 22 August due to concerns expressed by ESRD of disturbing hunters which halted cluster visits for 4 of the female bears. Data analysis with this interim data is beginning and will be used to further refine cluster selection for the second and final year (2015) of this project. Objective 3: Feeding trials to validate and assess the amount of caribou in the diet of grizzly bear using stable isotopes found in bear hair This work was done in collaboration with Dr. Charlie Robbins and Joy Erlenbach at the Bear Research, Conservation, and Education Center at Washington State University in Pullman Washington where they have captive grizzly bears used for research purposes.
    [Show full text]
  • Prod505870.Pdf
    CURRENT POPULATION STATUS OF BLACK BEAR, GRIZZLY BEAR, COUGAR and WOLF IN THE SKAGIT RIVER WATERSHED BY TONY BARNARD FOR MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AUGUST, 1986 -·--- --- -- - - - ------ ----- ---- ----------- - --- - TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES. iii LIST OF FIGURES . i V 1.0 INTRODUCTION .. 1 2.0 STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION. 1 3.0 METHODS .. 4 4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION . 5 4.1 Black Bear ........ 5 4.2 Grizzly Bear ....... 6 4.3 Cougar. 9 4.4 Wolf.. 14 REFERENCES .. 18 APPENDICES. 20 ii . ----· ·----- -· ·--- -- - ---·· -··- I I LIST OF TABLES Table Page I 1. Grizzly Bear Sightings Within the Skagit River Watershed--1972-85 ... 7 I 2. Cougar Sightings in the Skagit River Watershed--1985-86 ..•.••... 12 3. Wolf Sightings in the Skagit River I Watershed--1980-86 ..•..•••..••.... 15 I I I I I I I I I I I I I iii I I I LIST OF FIGURES I Figures Page 1. Geographical Location of the Skagit I River Watershed ........ 2 2. Deer Fawns Can Be Preyed Upon by Foraging I Black Bears in the Spring. ... 3 3. Location of Grizzly Bear Sightings in the Study Area and Adjacent Areas of I the State of Washington, U.S.A ..... " . 8 4. A Successful Cougar Hunt in the Lower I Skagit Valley--Winter, 1976-77 ....•..... 10 5. Location of Cougar Sightings in the Study Area . 13 I 6. Location of Wolf Sightings in the Study Area and Adjacent Areas of the State of I Washington, U.S.A ................. 16 I I I I I I I I I iv I 1.0 INTRODUCTION In January, 1986 the Fish and Wildlife Branch submitted a request for funding of certain wildlife studies in the Skagit River watershed to the Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission (Barnard, 1986).
    [Show full text]
  • Interactions Between Wolves and Female Grizzly Bears with Cubs in Yellowstone National Park
    SHORTCOMMUNICATIONS Interactions between wolves and female grizzly bears with cubs in Yellowstone National Park A. 3 Kerry Gunther1 and Douglas W. Smith2'4 adult males, solitary adult females, and female grizzly bears accompaniedby yearling or 2-year-old offspring Bear ManagementOffice, PO Box 168, Yellowstone would occasionally usurp wolf-killed ungulates and National WY Park, 82190, USA scavenge the remains. We hypothesized that these 2Wolf PO Box YellowstoneNational Project, 168, Park, cohorts of grizzly bears would be more successful than WY,82190, USA subadultsat usurpingwolf-kills. We furtherhypothesized Key words: Canis lupus, cub bear, mortality, grizzly that due to potential danger to cubs, females with cubs interferencecompetition, interspecific killing, klepto- would not attemptto displacewolf packs from theirkills. Ursus Yellowstone National parasitism, arctos, wolf, Our of interactions between Park monitoring interspecific wolves and bears is From wolf Ursus15(2):232-238 (2004) grizzly ongoing. reintroductionin 1995 until Januaryof 2003, 96 wolf- grizzly bear interactionshave been recorded(Ballard et al. 2003; D. Smith, National Park Service, Yellowstone NationalPark, Wyoming, USA, unpublisheddata). Here we observationsof interactionsbetween wolves Gray wolves (Canis lupus) were extirpated from report and female bears with cubs and evidence of wolf Yellowstone NationalPark (YNP) by the 1920s through grizzly bear cubs near carcasses. Due to predatorcontrol actions (Murie 1940,Young and Gold- packs killing grizzly man 1944, Weaver 1978), then reintroducedinto the grizzly bears' low reproductiverate (Schwartz et al. and statusas a threatened park from 1995 to 1996 to restore ecological integrity 2003) species (USFWS 1993), the effects of wolves on carcass and cub and adhere to legal mandates (Bangs and Fritts 1996, availability survival is an Phillips and Smith 1996, Smith et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Coyote's Swallowing Match with Grizzly Bear
    Rooted in the Molala Tribe history is the story of the Coyote and the Bear. The following is from Coyote Was Going There, INDIAN LITERATURE OF THE OREGON COUNTRY, Compiled and edited by Jarold Ramsey. Coyote’s Swallowing Match with Grizzly Bear Coyote was going up toward Mt. Hood. He met Grizzly Bear. Grizzly Bear said, “Where are you going, Coyote?” Coyote said, “I am going up country.” “Why are you going there?” asked Grizzly Bear. Coyote said, “I am making the world.” Then Grizzly Bear said, “We must fight.” Coyote said, “No, we must have a swallowing match.” Grizzly said, “No! We must fight a duel.” Coyote said, “We will swallow stones.” Grizzly said, “Go ahead, we will swallow them.” Coyote said, “We must have them very hot.” “How many hot rocks?” asked Grizzly. Coyote said, “You swallow first, then I will.” Then Grizzly Bear swallowed a hot stone, “Now it’s your turn”, he said. Then Coyote said, “Yes,” and began to swallow strawberries, not rocks! He fooled Grizzly, he swallowed five strawberries. Then Coyote told Grizzly, “Now you must swallow five hot stones.” “All right,” said Grizzly. Then he commenced swallowing hot rocks, they burst his heart, and he died. Now Coyote sat down and studied. “Now I must go, I am going on forever. He is gone now; the world is going to last so long!” He skinned Grizzly, then began cutting him up; he scattered his body in little pieces all over. Then to the Molala country he threw the heart. He said, “Now the Molala will be good hunters; they will all be good men, thinking and studying about hunting deer.
    [Show full text]
  • Could Colorado See the Return of Grizzlies, Wolves and Wild Bison? Here’S How Montanans Coexist with Them
    Could Colorado see the return of grizzlies, wolves and wild bison? Here’s how Montanans coexist with them. Up north, grizzlies are roaming in places they haven’t been in decades and there are enough wolves that hunters are allowed to shoot five apiece Published on Aug 8, 2019 5:01AM MDT Environment Primary category in which blog post is published Jennifer Brown @jenbrowncolo KALISPELL, Montana — The latest grizzly bear killed by Montana officials was a relatively small, 278-pounder who ate 40 sheep and lambs in a two-week span, unfazed by four guard dogs and a range rider on a four-wheeler who tried to chase it away. The bear, euthanized July 19 outside of Great Falls, was the 20th grizzly so far this season killed by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks or hit by a car or train along the Northern Continental Divide. The region’s human-related grizzly deaths are on par with last year’s record-setting season, a result of a growing population of both bears and people. “We’ve got bears right now in areas where we haven’t seen them in decades,” said Dillon Tabish, a Kalispell-based education program manager for the state wildlife department. As Coloradans face questions about whether to reintroduce the grizzly — and fellow titan of the forest, the gray wolf — the state can look to its northwestern neighbors, where the native animals are making a comeback after decades on the brink of extinction. A recently filed lawsuit demands the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service explore reintroducing grizzlies to Colorado, while a petition about to circulate in Colorado would put the question of wolf reintroduction on the November 2020 ballot.
    [Show full text]
  • Wolverine EN
    Introduction This animal • generally prefers remote areas, far away from humans and development • can travel up to 40 km during its daily hunting activities • is known by a variety of descriptive names, including “skunk-bear,” because it marks its food and various landmarks with urine and musk • has one of the most striking fur characteristics of Canadian mammals Description Although the Wolverine Gulo gulo belongs to the weasel family, Mustelidae, it is not as long and lean as typical weasels, but rather short and thick, like a small bear. Its head is broad and round, with small eyes and short rounded ears. Its legs are short and sturdy, with five toes on each foot. Its long, curved claws are semi- retractile, which means they can be partly drawn back in, and they are used for climbing and digging. Its teeth are strong, and its head, neck, and shoulder muscles are well-developed. These adaptations allow the Wolverine to feed on frozen flesh and bone, a survival tactic for the harsh and remote environments in which they reside. An adult Wolverine is about the size of a medium- sized dog. Adult males weigh about 12 to 18 kg, adult females about 8 to 12 kg. Wolverines that live in the north of their range are usually larger than those living farther south. The Wolverine has one of the most striking furs among of all fur-bearing animals. Its fur is typically a rich, glossy, dark brown. Two pale stripes originate at the nape of its neck and sweep along each flank to merge at the base of its long, bushy tail.
    [Show full text]