Foothills Research Institute Grizzly Bear Program 2012 Annual Report
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FOOTHILLS RESEARCH INSTITUTE GRIZZLY BEAR PROGRAM 2012 ANNUAL REPORT Prepared and edited by Gordon B. Stenhouse and Karen Graham April 2013 DISCLAIMER This report presents preliminary findings from the 2011 research program within the Foothills Research Institute (FRI) Grizzly Bear Program. It must be stressed that these data are preliminary in nature and all findings must be interpreted with caution. Opinions presented are those of the authors and collaborating scientists and are subject to revision based on the ongoing findings over the course of these studies. Suggested citation for information within this report: Citation Example: Nielsen SE, Coogan SCP, Larsen T, Lopez C & Stenhouse GB (2013) Population recovery targets for grizzly bears in Alberta: A biologically-based bottom-up approach to estimating carrying capacity to inform recovery. In: G. Stenhouse and K. Graham (eds). Foothills Research Institute Grizzly Bear Program 2012 Annual Report. Hinton, Alberta. i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS A program of this scope and magnitude would not be possible without the dedication, hard work and support of a large number of people. We would like to thank the capture crew members: Terry Larsen, Bernie Goski, John Saunders and Steve Wotton and veterinarians Marc Cattet, Nigel Caulkett and Larissa Ozeki. Exemplary flying skills were provided by Steve Wotton of Peregrine Helicopters of Hinton. Appreciation is also extended to the summer field crew members for the various projects on the go: Karine Pigeon, Etienne Cardinal, Lindsay Dewart, Chris Sharp, Amy Stenhouse, Paul Stenhouse, Sean Coogan, and Kevin Methuen whose hard work and enthusiasm ensured a successful field season. Special thanks to Tracy McKay for all her great work in doing a bit of just about everything that a diverse project like the bear program can dish out. Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development provided logistical support and camp accommodations. The staff at the Hinton Training Centre provided a great deal of assistance in many ways including food and lodging for collaborators and summer staff during short stays. The Grizzly Bear Program Activity Team and the Board of Directors of the Foothills Research Institute provided valuable support and assistance that allowed the research to proceed in order to address management needs. Thanks to Darren Wiens for his help in all areas relating to GIS, and a very special thanks to Julie Duval for her invaluable help with data management and GIS. The Grizzly Bear Program couldn’t run well without her!!! A word of praise goes out to Sean Kinney and Fran Hanington for their efforts with communication support. Thank you to Tom Archibald, Jennifer Hancock, and especially Denise Lebel for an excellent job in managing the administrative details of this program and keeping all the crews in line. Definitely not an easy task! Thank you to Jerome Cranston for his ongoing GIS work (and much much more!) and to John Boulanger who provided superb statistical advice throughout the year. Dr. David Paetkau at Wildlife Genetics International completed the lab work on all DNA hair samples, Matson’s Lab conducted our tooth aging and a private lab in Norway conducted a trial scat DNA analysis.. This program would not have been possible without the many program sponsors (See Appendix 1). ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................. ii LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................... viii LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................ x CHAPTER 1: SUMMARY OF 2012 CAPTURE PROGRAM .................................. 1 Introduction................................................................................................................................... 1 Study Areas .................................................................................................................................... 1 Grizzly Bear Captures .................................................................................................................... 2 Sex and Age Characteristics ................................................................................................... 4 GPS Radio-Telemetry Data .................................................................................................... 4 Grizzly Bear Health Evaluation ...................................................................................................... 4 CHAPTER 2: GRIZZLY BEARS AND PIPELINES: RESPONSE TO UNIQUE LINEAR FEATURES ..................................................................................................... 6 Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................ 6 Background, Study Area, and Research Objectives ............................................................................ 7 Background .................................................................................................................................... 7 Study Area ..................................................................................................................................... 8 Research objectives ....................................................................................................................... 9 2.1: Grizzly bear habitat selection patterns on pipeline right-of-ways ........................................... 10 Introduction................................................................................................................................. 10 Methods ...................................................................................................................................... 10 Grizzly bear location data: ................................................................................................... 10 Linear feature datasets:....................................................................................................... 11 Analysis: ............................................................................................................................... 12 Habitat selection patterns ................................................................................................... 13 Habitat selection across habitats, age-sex classes and seasons ......................................... 13 Habitat selection patterns by time of day ........................................................................... 14 Results ......................................................................................................................................... 14 Habitat selection patterns ................................................................................................... 14 Habitat selection across habitats, age-sex classes and seasons ......................................... 15 Habitat selection patterns by time of day ........................................................................... 15 Discussion .................................................................................................................................... 16 2.2: Grizzly Bear Activities on Pipeline Right-of-Ways ..................................................................... 20 Introduction................................................................................................................................. 20 Methods: ..................................................................................................................................... 20 Site selection: ...................................................................................................................... 20 Field methods: ..................................................................................................................... 21 iii Analysis: ............................................................................................................................... 21 Results ......................................................................................................................................... 22 Discussion .................................................................................................................................... 23 2.3: Grizzly Bear Movement Rates On Pipeline Right-Of-Ways And Other Linear Features ........... 24 Introduction................................................................................................................................. 24 Methods ...................................................................................................................................... 24 Grizzly bear location data: ................................................................................................... 24 Datasets: .............................................................................................................................. 25 Analysis: ............................................................................................................................... 26 Results ......................................................................................................................................... 27 Discussion .................................................................................................................................... 29 Year 1 Conclusions ...........................................................................................................................