Up until 2013-14 when University of Alberta Researchers began their current Black Bear population density study of the region, there had been no updating of the bruins status since 1993............It is quite likely that the 40,000 Bllack Bear estimate of 1993 is significantly down du to fractionalization and urbanization of core bear habitat.............."Hunters in the Province are allowed to annually kill 12% of the Bears, a reasonable hunter kill % provided the population is not in a total freefall(20+% annual hunter kill will begin to dampen otherwise healthy bear populations)"............. "On private lands, road densities are highest and black bears can be hunted year‐round"............."On protected lands, road densities are lowest, and hunting is prohibited"............ On public lands(mixed use ) under the jurisdiction of the provincial government (Crown lands), seasonal hunting is permitted............"During the two year span of 2013-14, University of Alberta Researchers found that Black bear densities for females and males were highest on protected parkland and lowest on Crown lands"............."Sex ratios were female‐biased on private lands, likely a result of lower harvests and movement of females out of areas with high male density".............."Since private, protected land is acting as a spatial refuge for female black bears, the results of this research suggest the need for active management on Crown lands where black bear densities are lowest"..........."In particular, harvest and management differences by land tenure, such as road densities, should be targeted"............."For example, grizzly bear densities were higher in British Columbia where motorized vehicle access was restricted"

https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=https://phys.org/news/2019-02-black-population-years-safer-habitable.html&ct=ga&cd=CAEYAioTNDA2ODU3NjQ2MjUxMDMwMTYzNTIaNTZkMWU3ZjE5ZThmOTk5MTpjb206ZW46VVM&usg=AFQjCNF56ZrYSErtjE251LE61ooDjK2E2Q

First study of black bear population in 30 years identifies need for safer, habitable public land in Alberta

February 7, 2019 by Katie Willis, University of Alberta

A new study by University of Alberta biologists shows black bear populations are lowest on Crown land and most dense on national park land, followed by private land, highlighting issues for management and conservation efforts.

Scientists analyzed black bear DNA, collected from hair samples left behind after the bears rub against objects like trees and power poles, to identify individuals and get an estimate of overall populations on public and private land. Credit: Ryan Peruniak





The 3,600 km2 study area is in the southern Canadian Rocky Mountains and is bounded by Highway 3 to the north, British Columbia to the west, the United States–Canada border to the south, and Highway 2 to the east (Figure 1). The area includes WLNP, which borders Glacier National Park (GNP), USA. The area is a mix of land‐cover types: conifer forest (29%), agricultural (22%), native grassland and cultivated fields (16%), shrubland (16%), and deciduous forest (11%). Agriculture is the primary industry (Statistics Canada, MD of Pincher Creek, 2011 Community Profile).

"We might have thought that Crown land would host more black bears," said ecologist Mark Boyce. "However, many bears appear to have been displaced onto private lands, likely due to excessive use of Crown land for recreation, like quadding, camping and motorbiking."

In the study—the first comprehensive analysis of the black bear population in Alberta in more than 30 years—researchers used bear hair samples collected from trees, power poles and fences to identify individuals by DNA and then estimate population size.

"There are a number of possible reasons why density differs by land tenure, such as mortality risk from humans and the availability of foods," said Annie Loosen, who recently completed her master's degree under Boyce's supervision.

Surface densities derived from top‐performing male and female black bear spatially explicit capture–recapture models in southwestern Alberta (2013–2014)

"Private lands in our study are mainly agricultural lands, which can also be attractive to black bears, especially stored and standing grain," she added.

"In Alberta, this is particularly problematic because landowners can hunt or give other hunters permission to shoot a black bear on their land at any time of year without restriction."

Supporting policy

The findings support recent decisions limiting off-highway vehicle use in Castle Provincial Park and Castle Wildland Provincial Park, explained Boyce.

Harvest density (individuals/1,000 km2) for male and female black bears the year prior to non‐invasive genetic sampling in southwestern Alberta (2013–2014). Wildlife management unit (WMU) 400 is on Crown land and WMU 303 and 302 are on private land

"Our results reinforce the decision to protect core habitats in provincial parks. We are keen to learn the response by both grizzly bears and black bears to increased protection on Crown land."

The researchers also recommended ongoing monitoring of black bear populations to document the outcomes of policy changes.

The study, "Land Tenure Shapes Black Bear Density and Abundance on a Multi‐use Landscape," was published in Ecology and Evolution.

 Explore further: Bears avoid trails with motorized recreational activity, study confirms

More information: Anne E. Loosen et al. Land tenure shapes black bear density and abundance on a multi-use landscape, Ecology and Evolution (2018). DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4617