Park managers need reliable estimates of population size, trend, distribution, and genetic health to make informed decisions about how to recover the threatened grizzly bear population and manage black bears in Glacier National Park ecosystem. Currently live capture, drugging, and radio collaring are typically used to monitor bear populations; however, these methods can have long–term impacts on the behavior and survival of bears. Noninvasive hair sampling and DNA analysis hold promise of providing a better, cheaper and faster way to monitor population status than radio telemetry. Furthermore, hair sampling does not require highly skilled personnel or impact the health of sampled animals and can sample black bears and grizzlies simultaneously. These low–impact methods are also a good fit for the management philosophies of national parks and wilderness areas. Eventually, existing park staff may be able to collect samples while conducting other backcountry duties.

According to a recently completed study by USGS scientist, Kate Kendall, the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) in northwest Montana which includes Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness, is home to 765 grizzly bears. During just 14 weeks, her study collected 34,000 bear hair samples from barbed wire hair traps and natural bear rubs. Genetic analysis of the hair to identify individual bears was used to derive a highly precise estimate of grizzly abundance. The high proportion of the population detected at rub trees and the ease of sampling with this method suggested that this could be an efficient, effective way to monitor bear population status.

In 2009, Kate Kendall will initiate to determine if surveys to collect hair from bear rubs along trails and roads will provide a viable sampling alternative to traditional methods for monitoring grizzly bear populations. This 4-year project involves 3 years of field sampling followed by a year of data analysis and report preparation. A $250,000 grant from the US Forest Service has provided initial funding to conduct sampling in part of the 7.8 million-acre ecosystem. We are seeking funding to conduct simultaneous sampling in Glacier National Park. Although an additional $80,000/year is needed to conduct this work in Glacier, we are seeking $40,000/year through the Glacier National Park Fund and will pursue additional opportunities to match these private monies to complete a match challenge. A gift of $10,000 or more will allow you to receive periodic updates about this project, an opportunity to take a hike with a USGS biologist from this project to visit bear rub trees in Glacier along with recognition in USGS reports and in Glacier National Park Fund documents.

For more information go to www.nrmsc.usgs.gov/staff/kendall.html