The number of grizzly bear translocations has increased in recent years to protect the bears and reduce conflicts with humans. In a recent Journal of Wildlife Management analysis of translocations in Alberta, Canada, researchers found that the most important factors for translocation success were the level of human-caused mortality risk at the release site and the time of year when the translocation occurred.
The number of grizzly bear translocations has increased in recent years to protect the bears and reduce conflicts with humans. In a recent Journal of Wildlife Management analysis of translocations in Alberta, Canada, researchers found that the most important factors for translocation success were the level of human-caused mortality risk at the release site and the time of year when the translocation occurred.
In general, moving bears earlier in the year and releasing them in areas of low mortality risk (such as areas with few roads) and in proximity to rivers will improve the odds of translocation success.
“To improve science-based management decisions regarding translocations, there must be greater effort to collect scientific data post release (through monitoring) and greater effort to publish the results of translocations, even ones that are unsuccessful, in peer-reviewed journals,” said lead author Sarah Milligan, of the Grizzly Bear Program at fRI Research. “We see our study as a first step toward improving the success of grizzly bear translocations when they are considered necessary, but also as an important contribution to the scientific literature necessary for understanding and advancing translocation science in general.
Additional Information
Link to Study: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jwmg.21410/full
About Journal
The Journal of Wildlife Management publishes manuscripts containing information from original research that contributes to basic wildlife science. Suitable topics include investigations into the biology and ecology of wildlife and their habitats that has direct or indirect implications for wildlife management and conservation. This includes basic information on wildlife habitat use, reproduction, genetics, demographics, viability, predator-prey relationships, space-use, movements, behavior, and physiology; but within the context of contemporary management and conservation issues such that the knowledge may ultimately be useful to wildlife practitioners.
Penny Smith
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