Alberta grizzly bear recovery needs non-invasive ways to monitor population trends. Current DNA methods using barb wire hair snags can be expensive and difficult to implement on large scales. In Scandinavia, bear managers advocate the use of hunter volunteers to collect scat DNA samples as a cost-effective monitoring method. This approach offers a robust way to assess populations across large areas with reduced costs, and has the added benefit of engaging citizens and stakeholder groups in the collection of scientific data that is used to make management decisions.
Recently, the fRI Research Grizzly Bear Program and our collaborators in Scandinavia have made significant advancements in extracting DNA from grizzly bear scat. With this exciting development we have implemented pilot projects to assess the feasibility of using scat DNA and citizen science to determine population size, abundance, and distribution of grizzly bears in Bear Management Area (BMA) 3 and Jasper National Park.
Information on past pilot projects will be added soon. Please watch this website for future pilot projects or subscribe to our mailing list and be the first to know!
Hinton Fish & Wildlife Office
Provincial Building
131 Civic Centre Road
Hinton, Alberta
Hours:
8:00am-12:00pm
1:00pm-4:30pm
Phone: 780-865-8264
Edson Fish & Wildlife Office
#203, Provincial Building
111 54 Street
Edson, Alberta
Hours:
8:00am-12:00pm
1:00pm-4:30pm
Phone: 780-723-8244
Drayton Valley Fish & Wildlife Office
Main Floor, Penn West Buidling
6521 50th Ave West
Drayton Valley , Alberta
Hours:
8:00am-12:00pm
1:00pm-4:30pm
Phone: 780-542-6616
Rocky Mountain House Fish & Wildlife Office
2nd Floor, Provincial Building
4919 54 Street
Rocky Mountain House
Hours:
8:00am-12:00pm
1:00pm-4:30pm
Phone: 403-845-8230
Scat is fresh and plentiful in the fall as bears prepare for hiberation.
DNA from scat samples relates well to existing data-sets and complements ongoing research activities.
Scat collection doesn't require any human/bear interaction making it less invasive than other sample methods.
It is easy to collect with our provided collection kits. All you need is the app and a collection kit from one of our regional depots.
Using scat DNA as an inventory method allows citizen scientists to participate in grizzly bear research.
Scat is easy to carry once you have collected it in vials and it is also easy to ship to our lab in Norway for processing.
DNA from scat provides researchers with information about whether the bear is a grizzly bear or black bear and whether it is male or female. This data forms part of the picture when determining a population estimate and analyzing trends.
Grizzly Bear DNA allows researchers to determine whether the scat sample came from a bear that is already in our database or if the bear is new to us. We are then able to determine if the sample came from a bear that is related to any other bears in our database.
Knowing where the scat samples are collected helps us to piece together a picture of a bear's home range and distribution. We can compare this information to existing data if the scat came from a bear that is known to researchers.
If you don’t have a compatible smartphone or will be in the backcountry for an extended period of time please contact us. Depending on the pilot project, we have a limited number of portable GPS units that can be used to log time and location based information when you are out in the field. The process will require more manual effort but the results are just as valuable as those collected by citizen scientists using a smartphone application. These units have a longer run time (multiple days) compared to that of a smartphone. Please contact us for more information or sign-out a unit at one of the collection depots set-up for the pilot project that you will be participating in.
As a long time resident of Hinton and long time employee of fRI Research I am excited to see technology being used to involve citizens in world class grizzly bear research.
As a GIS professional with fRI Research, I am excited to see the results of the citizen science samples and look forward to integrating this information into our existing data sets!
Rarely do members of the public have a chance to contribute to our research projects. This is that opportunity. Citizen science is new ground for fRI Research and I am excited to be involved.
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