FOOTHILLS RESEARCH INSTITUTE GRIZZLY BEAR PROGRAM 2013 ANNUAL REPORT Prepared and edited by Gordon B. Stenhouse and Karen Graham April 2014 DISCLAIMER This report presents preliminary findings from the 2013 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: Larsen, T, J. Cranston, G. Stenhouse, and S. Nielsen..2014. Research and applied tools to enhance forest management linkages to grizzly bear conservation and recovery in Alberta. Final Report for the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta. In: G. Stenhouse and K. Graham (eds). Foothills Research Institute Grizzly Bear Program 2013 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, Brian MacBeth, Bernie Goski, John Lee, and veterinarian Marc Cattet. 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:Leonie Brown, Lindsay Dewart, Michael Oliveira, and Amy Stenhouse whose hard work and enthusiasm ensured a successful field season. Also thanks to Joe Kermit-Wells for his support and data collection. 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 Kevin Myles for his help in 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 Bill Tinge, Risa Croken, and Cemil Gamas 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 TABLE OF CONTENTS REPORT A: RESEARCH TO SUPPORT RECOVERY AND LONG TERM CONSERVATION OF GRIZZLY BEARS IN ALBERTA ..................................... 12 Chapter A.1. Summary of 2013 Capture Program ........................................... 14 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ 14 Method ............................................................................................................................................................... 14 Study Areas ..................................................................................................................................................... 14 Capture Protocol ............................................................................................................................................ 15 Results................................................................................................................................................................. 16 Grizzly Bear Captures...................................................................................................................................... 16 Black Bear Captures ........................................................................................................................................ 16 Sex and Age Characteristics ............................................................................................................................ 17 GPS Radio-Telemetry Data ............................................................................................................................. 17 Grizzly Bear Health Evaluation ....................................................................................................................... 18 Modification of Anesthetic Protocol for Foothills Research Institute Grizzly Bear Project ............................ 18 Chapter A.2. An Evaluation Of Reproductive Activity In Grizzly Bears, And How It Is Influenced By Stress, Based On The Measurement Of Hormones In Hair ................................................................................................. 20 Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................................ 20 Background ......................................................................................................................................................... 21 Objectives and Hypotheses ................................................................................................................................ 22 Detection and Measurement of Steroid Hormones ........................................................................................... 25 Detection and Measurement of Peptide Hormones .......................................................................................... 25 New Insights into the Measurement of Hormones in Hair ................................................................................. 26 Validation Study 1........................................................................................................................................... 26 Validation Study 2........................................................................................................................................... 28 i Table of Contents Plans for Year Three ............................................................................................................................................ 30 Chapter A.3. Understanding Seasonal Variation In Leptin And Adiponectin Production, Adipose Function, And Whether Either Hormone Can Be Used To Estimate Body Fat Content In Brown Bears ..................................................................................................................................... 33 Methods .............................................................................................................................................................. 35 Current Results ................................................................................................................................................... 36 Serum leptin-adiponectin content relative to body fat content .................................................................... 36 Effect of centrally administered leptin on food intake ................................................................................... 37 Plans for Year 2 ................................................................................................................................................... 40 Leptin-adiponectin studies ............................................................................................................................. 40 Hair reproduction studies ............................................................................................................................... 40 Chapter A.4. Population Recovery Targets For Grizzly Bears In Alberta 42 Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................................ 42 Background ......................................................................................................................................................... 43 Methods .............................................................................................................................................................. 45 Available energy (nutritional landscape) ........................................................................................................ 45 Modeling (mapping) spatial variation in food supply (digestible energy) .................................................. 45 Bioenergetic estimates of total energy expenditure (demands) .................................................................... 47 Energetic model for grizzly bears ............................................................................................................... 47 Simulated scenarios (reproductive classes and diets) ..............................................................................