Grizzly bears are on the move on B.C.'s central coast. A new study in the on-line publication, PLOS ONE, has documented grizzlies colonizing 10 central coast islands outside their current accepted territory, which confirms local aboriginal knowledge that the bears are expanding their range............Research shows grizzlies are expanding their range on BC central coast islands.................. Theories behind the shift include a drop in salmon production since 2000, movements to exploit berries in recent clearcuts on islands, as well as reduced hunting of grizzlies on the mainland

Grizzly bears expanding their range on B.C. coast: new study BY LARRY PYNN, VANCOUVER SUN JULY 24, 2014 1 A new study in the on-line publication, PLOS ONE, has  documented grizzlies colonizing 10 central coast islands  outside their current accepted range, which fits with  local aboriginal knowledge suggesting the bears are  expanding their range. The study's lead author, Christina Service, a University  of Victoria PhD candidate in geography, said in an interview Wednesday the bears were detected using "non-invasive" methods such as remote cameras and  hair snags from which DNA tests revealed species , gender and individual identities, as well as hunting data. Local knowledge suggests the "expansion has accelerated over the last 10 years," the study notes.  Among the largest of the 10 islands are Princess  Royal, Swindle (site of the community of Klemtu),  Campbell Island (site of Bella Bella) and Hunter. Females and cubs, which roam less widely than males, were discovered on four islands, raising the  prospect of breeding populations. The findings may cause the provincial government to extend the sort  of habitat-conservation measures on the mainland  to the 10 islands to protect the grizzlies, a species of special concern,  Service said. Grizzlies also compete for habitat with black bears, which could have implications for the white-phase Spirit Bear. Theories behind the shift in grizzlies include a drop in  salmon production since 2000, movements to exploit  berries in recent clearcuts on islands, as well as reduced hunting of grizzlies on the mainland. Other study participants included the Kitasoo/ Xai'xais-operated Spirit Bear Research Foundation and Raincoast Conservation Foundation. . CLICK HERE or go to vancouversun.com /moretothestory