How to Count Grizzlies
In addition to hair snags, sampling at existing rub trees is going to be especially important in the Cabinet-Yaak study, Kendall says.Biologists have been radio-collaring five or so bears annually for the past 28 years and those animals may be skittish of the snags. “There’s a big avoidance issue with the hair traps—bears previously handled are less likely to go into them. So rub trees are going to be really important to help get a precise count.”
Come June, 70 summer employees will be traversing the mountainous terrain of the Cabinet-Yaak, lugging five-liter containers of the blood lure to bait traps, and tacking barbed wire to natural rubs. “It’s a huge, huge effort,” says Kendall. And one that could prove hugely beneficial to the grizzly’s recovery.
For more on the Cabinet-Yaak grizzly DNA study, and for more videos and photos, click here.
Grizzly numbers
I am glad to hear such in depth studies are taking place. As a Yellowstone photographer I have seen the population grow from me not being able to find any in 1987 to how I can find grizzlies nearly every day. The recovery has worked in Yellowstone and hopefully is will do as well in the Cabinet-Yaak area as well.