Grizzlies spotted on Vancouver Island
Rare sightings of huge bears in region are backed up by pictures of footprints, scat evidence
Grizzly bears can reach 2.4 metres tall on their hind legs and run as fast as 55 kilometres per hour. Although rarely seen on Vancouver ˆsland, several of the huge bears have shown up in the region in the past, after swimming over from the mainland.
Photograph by: Staff, Postmedia News
Two grizzly bears have been spotted recently near Strathcona Park, a rare appearance by the big bears on Vancouver Island.
"We have confirmed sightings from very reliable sources," said Kim Brunt, senior wildlife biologist in the provincial Fish and Wildlife Branch.
The Nanaimo-based expert said reports have been sporadic but solid, backed up by photos of footprints and scat evidence.
"We believe a couple of young males have been on the North Island, possibly since 2006. It appears they came from the adjacent mainland, very near Kelsey Bay."
Recent sightings have been near the White River just north of Strathcona Park, Cluxewe River near Port McNeill, and around Tahsis and Woss Lake.
"It could be the same bear," Brunt said, adding grizzlies have a large home range, "but I'm guessing there are two."
They likely swam across as "dispersing juveniles" at about two years old. "Most male mammals will take off and try to establish their own territory once grown. Grizzlies are very strong swimmers, and 20 kilometres of water is certainly not beyond their capability."
In the Hardwicke Island area, bears island-hop over water distances of a kilometre or two.
The grizzly bear is North America's second largest land carnivore, after the polar bear. They have been known to grow to 650 kilograms, but anything over 450 is rare on the coast.
"It takes an incredible diet to get to that size -- a lot of grain or corn," Brunt said. "A large adult eating mostly salmon and berries is more likely to weigh 250 kilograms."
The skat piles sighted near White River had a lot of elk hair in them.
Several grizzlies have shown up on the Island in the past, Brunt said. Ten years ago, one was shot at Fort Rupert Indian Reserve near Port Hardy. Another was shot in 2006 after charging a Sayward farmer (see story below).
No females are known to have swum over, and grizzlies don't breed with other species. Their life expectancy is about 20 years.
A grizzly can reach 2.4 metres tall on its hind legs -- a shade under eight feet -- and can run as fast as 55 kilometres per hour. Downhill they are slower, due to the large shoulder hump used to power the enormous forelegs.
"This bear is well-suited to run down game, is more predatory than a black bear -- and more cranky," said Brunt. "One was encountered near Woss recently. An individual tried to take a picture and got bluff-charged."
All bears are potentially dangerous, he stressed, especially if near their cubs or a food cache. Bears often drag their kill into undergrowth and cover it with vegetation to conceal it. Never run from a bear, he stressed.
"Back away slowly. Running can trigger an aggressive predatory response. You might look like a food source."
How does Brunt feel about grizzlies on the Island?
"I'm intrigued. Any kind of range expansion is interesting."
glitwin@tc.canwest.com
"We have confirmed sightings from very reliable sources," said Kim Brunt, senior wildlife biologist in the provincial Fish and Wildlife Branch.
The Nanaimo-based expert said reports have been sporadic but solid, backed up by photos of footprints and scat evidence.
"We believe a couple of young males have been on the North Island, possibly since 2006. It appears they came from the adjacent mainland, very near Kelsey Bay."
Recent sightings have been near the White River just north of Strathcona Park, Cluxewe River near Port McNeill, and around Tahsis and Woss Lake.
"It could be the same bear," Brunt said, adding grizzlies have a large home range, "but I'm guessing there are two."
They likely swam across as "dispersing juveniles" at about two years old. "Most male mammals will take off and try to establish their own territory once grown. Grizzlies are very strong swimmers, and 20 kilometres of water is certainly not beyond their capability."
In the Hardwicke Island area, bears island-hop over water distances of a kilometre or two.
The grizzly bear is North America's second largest land carnivore, after the polar bear. They have been known to grow to 650 kilograms, but anything over 450 is rare on the coast.
"It takes an incredible diet to get to that size -- a lot of grain or corn," Brunt said. "A large adult eating mostly salmon and berries is more likely to weigh 250 kilograms."
The skat piles sighted near White River had a lot of elk hair in them.
Several grizzlies have shown up on the Island in the past, Brunt said. Ten years ago, one was shot at Fort Rupert Indian Reserve near Port Hardy. Another was shot in 2006 after charging a Sayward farmer (see story below).
No females are known to have swum over, and grizzlies don't breed with other species. Their life expectancy is about 20 years.
A grizzly can reach 2.4 metres tall on its hind legs -- a shade under eight feet -- and can run as fast as 55 kilometres per hour. Downhill they are slower, due to the large shoulder hump used to power the enormous forelegs.
"This bear is well-suited to run down game, is more predatory than a black bear -- and more cranky," said Brunt. "One was encountered near Woss recently. An individual tried to take a picture and got bluff-charged."
All bears are potentially dangerous, he stressed, especially if near their cubs or a food cache. Bears often drag their kill into undergrowth and cover it with vegetation to conceal it. Never run from a bear, he stressed.
"Back away slowly. Running can trigger an aggressive predatory response. You might look like a food source."
How does Brunt feel about grizzlies on the Island?
"I'm intrigued. Any kind of range expansion is interesting."
glitwin@tc.canwest.com
Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Grizzlies+spotted+Vancouver+Island/3390919/story.html#ixzz0wSHGkT8N
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