Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA
COLLEGE OF FORESTRY AND CONSERVATION
MISSOULA,MT 59812
Performing Department
College of Forestry and Conservation
Non Technical Summary
The area between Monida Pass (I-15) and Lost Trail Pass (U.S. Hwy. 93) along the Montana/Idaho border is a potential linkage between the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) and the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness complex for multiple species of wildlife, including grizzly bears. There have been several unverified sightings of grizzly bears in this area. We propose to survey for the presence of grizzly bears and other sensitive species using motion-triggered cameras and DNA hair stations between Monida Pass and Eighteenmile Peak during spring and summer 2009. Preliminary results would be available by September 2009 with a final report by January 2010.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
Currently, it is unknown whether grizzly bears are present in the Beaverhead and Centennial Mountains between the GYA and the Selway-Bitterroot. Our objectives were to use non-invasive survey methods to: obtain baseline data about grizzly bear presence; determine the origin population of any grizzly bears detected; detect other species of interest (i.e., wolves, black bears, wolverine, lynx, mountain lion, marten, fisher) using photo data at sampling sites. A preliminary report summarizing all photo data (species, sampling effort, relative frequency, etc.) will be completed by September 21, 2009. A final report detailing sampling effort, results, origin of any grizzly bears detected, and management implications will be completed by January 2010, pending completion of genetic analyses. Digital photo data for all sites will be archived.
Project Methods
We will survey for bears using cameras and barbed-wire DNA hair stations. These surveys can establish presence of species but cannot be used to establish absence. We will sample throughout June, July, and August depending on access and habitat availability. Sites will be placed throughout the study area with 14-day sampling sessions. Sites will be constructed according to the methods of Woods et al. (1999). All sites will be placed at least 1 mile apart. Heat-and-motion-triggered cameras will be placed at each site to document the reproductive status of bears (i.e., are cubs present) and to serve as a supplemental sampling method in case animals do not leave a hair sample. Our rationale for choosing sites will be based on several factors. We will consult with local biologists and managers to locate promising areas. Other macro-site selection will be based on natural movement areas such as saddles, drainages, ridges, and confluences. Micro-site selection will be based on access, available bear foods in the area, trail junctions, creek junctions, and landscape heterogeneity. All samples will be transported to Wildlife Genetics International (WGI) in Nelson, B.C. by a USFWS employee. Samples will be visually inspected initially and then screened for species identification using a sequence-based mtDNA test. In the event that grizzly bear samples are detected, individual ID would be established using a standardized set of 7 microsatellite markers that are highly variable in grizzly bear populations in the lower-48 States. Error-checking would follow a standard protocol (Paetkau 2003) to ensure that false individuals are not created through genotyping error. The final step of the analysis would be to analyze additional markers for one sample per grizzly bear individual identified. These extra markers would include a gender marker (amelogenin) and 15 additional microsatellite markers, for a total of 22 microsatellites. If grizzly bear samples are identified, WGI will use an assignment test to determine where the bear came from based on its unique genetic signature (Paetkau et al. 1995; Waser and Strobeck 1998; Paetkau et al. 2004).