Mueller, Cedar M. 2001. Distribution of Subadult and Adult Grizzly
Bears in Relation to Human Development and Human Activity in the Bow River
Watershed, Alberta. Master’s Degree Project, Resources and the
Environment Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.
Note: The abstract for this Master’s Degree Project
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version of the complete document.
Distribution of Subadult and
Adult Grizzly Bears in Relation to Human Development and Human Activity
in the Bow River Watershed, Alberta
By Cedar M. Mueller
(a thesis submitted to the Faculty of
Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the reqirements for the degree
of Master of Science, Resources and the Environment Program, University of
Calgary)
ABSTRACT
I compared the distribution of radio telemetry locations
collected from 23 subadult and 29 adult grizzly bears (Ursus arctos),
between 1994 – 2000, in the Bow River Watershed, Alberta. On average,
subadult bears were located significantly closer to high-use roads and at
lower elevations than adult bears. Both subadult and adult bears were
significantly closer to high-use roads and at lower elevations during
human inactive periods (1800 – 0700) than during human active periods
(0700 – 1800). Subadult bears were closer to high-use roads than adult
bears, regardless of the time of day. This meant subadult bears were
predisposed to greater encounter rates with humans, and therefore had a
greater chance of becoming habituated and a greater chance of being killed
or removed from the population by humans. I compared individual
characteristics of four subadult female grizzly bears in the Lake Louise
area between 1998-2000. By the end of 2000, one subadult female was wary
of humans and their developments, and had a strong likelihood of surviving
in the years to come; two were highly habituated to humans; and one was
killed on the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) tracks. For these bears,
individual behaviour was a better indicator of bear response to humans
than age or sex class. For areas where there is considerable human
activity, I recommend grizzly bear management at the individual level,
with increased focus on the subadult age class. I make specific management
recommendations for the Lake Louise area.
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