BEAR LITERATURE REVIEW AND
PROPOSED MANAGEMENT STRATEGY FOR
VUNTUT NATIONAL PARK, YUKON
Yukon Field Unit
Parks Canada
Haines Junction, Yukon
Prepared by:
A. Grant MacHutchon
Wildlife Biologist, M.Sc., R.P.Bio.
Comox. B.C.
May 2000
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Bear Populations in Vuntut National Park: Research Review and Management Strategies, Slides of Literature
A review of published research on northern grizzly bear and black bear populations in and around Vuntut National Park, Yukon. It assesses the usefulness of this information for the management of both grizzly bears and black bears, and discusses potential management issues and concerns, including bear-human interaction and reproductive biology. The report also recommends strategies to protect and maintain natural populations of bears and minimize bear-human interaction.
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BEAR LITERATURE REVIEW AND
PROPOSED MANAGEMENT STRATEGY FOR
VUNTUT NATIONAL PARK, YUKON
Yukon Field Unit Parks Canada Haines Junction, Yukon
Prepared by:
A. Grant MacHutchon Wildlife Biologist, M.Sc., R.P.Bio. Comox. B.C.
May 2000
Literature Review and Bear Management Strategy, Vunlut National Park, YT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report is a review of relevant published research on northern bear populations and assesses the usefulness of this information for the management of both grizzly bears and black bears in and around Vuntut National Park (VNP), Yukon. A management strategy for the bear populations in VNP is proposed following this review.
Based on the work of Ferguson and McLaughlin (in press) and McLaughlin et al. (draft manuscript), I divided grizzly bear populations into different geographic distributions that appeared to correlate with differences in environmental and population parameters. These were barren-ground, interior, and coastal. I further divided interior grizzly bear populations into northern and southern interior to highlight the expected differences due to latitude. Mitochondrial DNA phylogeny does not uniformly support any previously published taxonomic classifications for grizzly bears based on morphology nor is any phylogentic clade supported by a subspeciiic taxonomic classification (Waits et al. 1998). Despite the ongoing re-evaluation of current grizzly bear taxonomic classification, I expect that contiguous populations of grizzly bears in the Yukon, including VNP, will continue to be one subspecies.
Banci (1991), Banci et al. (1994), and M&&n and Banci (1999) recommended that grizzly bear populations in the Subarctic Mountains grizzly bear zone, which includes VNP, be considered “vulnerable” as a result of past and current human activity. Banci ef al. (1994) considered that the current impacts of land-use activities on grizzly habitat in the Subarctic Mountains grizzly bear zone were moderate for mining and low to moderate for petroleum and human access. In the future, however, the impacts of these land-use activities were expected to increase to high for mining, moderate to high for petroleum, and moderate for access (Banci eb al. 1994).
A portion of the northeast part of VNP is within the Barn Range study area of Nagy et al. (1983a), therefore the grizzly bear density in this area are likely similar to what they found. However, the hills and large pediment slopes of the Old Crow Basin to the west of the Barn Range appeared to have lower quality grizzly bear habitat than the Barn Range. This area also appeared to have lower quality bear habitat than the Buckland Hills and lower British Mountains of Iwavik National Park to the north. As a result, I estimated the overall grizzly bear density in the Old Crow Basin and British-Richardson mountains ecoregions of VNP as approximately 15 bears/l000 km. These ecoregions of VNP are approximately 2,900 km’, therefore, this suggests a population of approximately 44 grizzly bears for these two ecoregions withii VNP. I suspect that grizzly bear densities are lower in the Old Crow Plats because habitats appeared to be less diverse and of lower quality, although bears may be able to supplement their diet by feeding on moose calves and muskrats in the spring and early summer. As a result, I estimate grizzly bear density to be approximately 6 bears/l000 km and since the ecoregion is approximately 1,450 km, this suggests a population of approximately 9 grizzly bears. (^) Overall, I estimate approximately 53 grizzly bears within VNP or approximately 12 bears/l000 km (82 km* per bear).
A. Grant MacHutchon, Wildlife Biologist 1
Literature Review and Bear Management Strategy, Vuntut National Park, YT
and mountains of VNP, rather than the Old Crow Flats. Dens are likely located in dry to mesic habitats on south-facing shrub or tree dominated mountain slopes. Natural caves within the limestone rock outcrops in the mountains of VNP are also likely used for dens. Any denning on the Old Crow Plats is probably limited to dry, relatively steep riverbanks.
I propose four seasons of activity for grizzly bears in VNP, 1. Spring: den emergence to June 15
Summer: June 16 to July 15
Late Summer: July 16 to August 31
Falk September 1 to den entrance I suspect the most well used foods of grizzly bears in VNP during the spring and early summer are bearroot (Hedysarum alpinum) roots, overwintered berries, sedges, grasses and horsetail (Equisetum spp.). The main overwintered berries used are likely . kmmkmnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), bearbeny (Arctostaphylos rubra or A. alpina) and crowberry (Ernpetrum nigrum). Graminoids and horsetail are probably not readily available until late spring or early summer. I suspect the most well used foods during the summer are “green” vegetation or forbs, such as horsetail, sedges, and grasses, as well as early ripening berries. (^) Mountain sorrel (Oxyria digyna) is probably eaten occasionally, as are other forbs. Various fruits are likely the main foods as soon as they start ripening in late July or early August (i.e., late summer). Blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum), soapbcrry (Shepherdiu cunadensis), crowbcrry, bearberry, -nick, red currant (Ribes triste), lingonberry or cranberry (Vuccinium vitis-idaea), and cloudberry or salmonberry (Rubus chamaemorus) are berry producing species that are likely eaten from late July to mid-September. Grizzly bears probably dig for bearroot roots and ground squirrels during the fall when berry availability decreases. Bearroot roots also are likely more important during poor berry years. Mammals are likely important foods whenever grizzly bears can get them. The main mammal foods are likely caribou, moose, arctic ground squirrels, voles, and lemmings. (^) Bears likely kill or scavenge adult and yearling caribou in spring when the caribou move northward to their calving grounds along the Yukon and Alaska coastal plain. Grizzly bears likely kill or scavenge adult, yearling, and calf caribou in summer when the caribou move to their mid-summer range in the northeast comer of VNP. In spring, grizzly bars likely kill moose calves shortly after they are born.
A Vuntut Gwitchin Oral History Study is currently in the initial phases of research to gather traditional knowledge of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation. (^) As part of their larger mandate, the project will try to gather information on Vuntut Gwit&in knowledge, beliefs, and uses of bears. I am not aware of any information on historical bear-human interactions in VNP. I suspect there were occasional problems with bears breaking into hunting and prospecting camps and likely occasional close encounters between bears and people. Poor garbage management at long term camps may have led to the death of some bears that became food- conditioned.
Currently, visitors to VNP are i&quent and this level of human activity likely has not adversely impacted the grizzly bear population. VNP is also closed to licensed hunting by non- native Yukon residents. Several Vuntut Gwitchin people currently live seasonally at a few Permanent camps in VNP and hunt on the land. Other people occasionally travel to the park from Old Crow. The impact of their activity on grizzly bears in the park is unknown.
A. Grant MacHutchon. Wildlife Biologist 111
Literature Review and Bear Management Strategy. Vuntut National Park, YT
Black Bear Ecology There is little known about the ecology of northern black bears, particularly at the northern extent of their range, and Vuntut National Park is situated at this northern extent. (^) Black bear populations in the Yukon are considered stable (Barichello 1997). Populations north of approximately 65” latitude in the Yukon are expected to occur in low densities and be primarily found in forested areas (MacHutchon and Smith 1990).
I suspect that black bears only rarely travel in to the Old Crow Basin Ecoregion from the Old Crow Plats. Black bear densities likely decrease from the area around the Porcupine River near Old Crow to the Old Crow Plats and then further decrease from the southern tlats to the flats within VNP. Densities around the Porcupine River may be as high as observed in northern interior Alaska, that is between 90 to 100 beats/E00 km*. However, black bear densities in the Old Crow Plats of VNP are likely as low as grizzly bear densities in the MacKenzie Delta and Arctic Coastal Plain, that is, 49 bears/1000 km2, which suggests a population of approximately 6-13 black bears. More information is required on the distribution and number of sightings of black bears within the Old Crow Plats, particularly within VNP to substantiate these estimates. The density in VNP may be higher if black bears in fact use the tlats more than I suspect.
Black bear populations that are only lightly hunted, such as in VNP, could be relatively stable and therefore have a relatively higher adult cohort. However, because the black bear population is at the northern extent of its range, it also may be predominately adult bears because of low recruitment rates. It is hard to know which of these scenarios is most likely for this poorly understood system. (^) I suspect that the sex ratio in the black bear population of VNP may be opposite to what is normally described, that is there may be more males than females. I think that there may be more males because of their higher dispersal from more densely populated areas to the south, the more wide ranging movements of male bears, and because the population appears to be lightly hunted, therefore, there will be less pressure than normal on this segment of the population..
I estimate that black bears in southern VNP become sexually mature between 6 to 7 years of age, have litter sires of 1.9 to 2.5 cubs, and have intervals between litters of 2 to 3 years. Black bear cub mortality in VNP may be as high or higher than reported in other northern studies, that is 30-40%, because there is minimal security habitat available, females are occupying habitats that are not very productive, and there is some competition with grizzly bears. It is hard to predict what the adult male and female survivorship in VNP would be, but is likely lower than the 90-100% found in other populations.
I suspect that black bear 100% minimum convex polygon home ranges in the Old Crow Plats Pcoregion are likely in the range of 50-100 km* for adult females and 100-500 km’ for adult males. There do not appear to be any major barriers to black bear movement in VNP. Movement within the Old Crow Plats likely is along creek and river edges and around lake margins.
The breeding season of black bears in VNP is likely between mid-May and late July. (^) I suspect that den entrance may be in early September and den emergence in late May. (^) Most black bear dens in the Old Crow Plats are probably in similar habitat types as black bear dens were on the
Literature Review and Bear Management Strategy, Vuntut National Park, YT
to Park visitors through an active public e d u c a t i o n and bear
to Vuntut Gwitchin people
garbage that c a n be used in the bear awareness material made available to Park visitors and other Vuntut Gwitchin people. In turn, provide the Vuntut
agencies in areas bordering the park to identify problem areas and minimise the potential for bears to obtain food or
Parks Canada may need to c of the risk of bear - human interactions at proposed research
” brochure or simil
A. Grant MacHutchon. Wildlife Biologist “
Literature Review and Bear Manactement Strategy, Vuniul National Park, YT
5 u’isitors should be provided with the opp&unity to view the 1 X^ 1
‘Staying Safe in B&r Country” videothat is currently being X0dUC.d 6 ?romote^ a “pack in/pack out” policy to park visitors.^ X 7 ?rooerlv. I^ identifv^ the dangers of approaching bears too^ X :losely and the legal imphcations-of feeding-or harassing wildlife. 8
9
1 0
1 1
1 2
Xequest that visitors , Vuntut Gwitchin Fist Nation people, md researchers record and report any bear observations, encounters or incidents to Parks Canada staff. Recommend that visitors carry a deterrent against bear attacks, such as bear spray. Encourage visitor use of bear-resistant food canisters or bags , while travelling in VNP. Recommend that visitors travel in groups of three or more people when hiking and camping. - Encourage the publishing of accurate, up-to-date information by providing current bear awareness and pre-trip information materials for use in any guidebooks published on recreation in the northern Yukon.
x
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Encourage the exchange of information on safety around bears with Vuntut Gwitchin people through informal talk the NYRRC, and the Vuntut G&&t government. Comoile any relevant Vuntut Gwitchin knowledge about human safety around bears that can be used in the bear awareneas material made available to park visitors. In turn, provide the Vuntut Gwitchin with materials available from other sources on human safety around bears. Bear Sightings, Encounters & Incidents Develop a Bear Management Plan or Public Safely Plan that outlines the roles and responsibilities of Parks Canada staff regarding bear management. Ensure that key Park Warden staff obtain appropriate training in bear capture and immobilisation. Ensure that Parks Canada staff receive accurate information on bear -human incidents within VNP from visitors or Vuntut Gwitchin people. Work on co-operative communication arrangements with the Vuntut Gwitchin and Canadian and American Federal, Territorial, and State government agencies for the sharing of information on bear - human incidents occurring in and around VNP Systematically record observations of bears by park staff, Vuntut Gwitchin people active in the Park and by park visitors. Establish a bear observation and encounter database and when there is sufficient data, use it to learn more about the ecology of bears in VNP and to evaluate potential problem areas in and around VNP. Sustainable Harvest
X X X X X X X
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A. Grant MacHutchon, Wildlife Biologist
Literature Review and Bear Management Stratecrv, Vuntut National Park, YT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3.2 BlackBearEcology (^)............. ....................................................
- 1.0 INTRODUCTION EXECUTIVE SUMMARY i
- 2.0 VUNTUTNATIONALPARK - 2.1 Old Crow Basin Ecoregion - 2.2 Old Crow Flats Ecoregion - 2.3 British-Richardson Mountains Ecoregion
- 3.0 BEAR LITERATURE REVIEW AND SYNTHESIS
- 3.1 Grizzly Bear Ecology
- 3.1.1 Distribution, Taxonomy and Morphology
- 3.1.2 Status
- 3.1.3 Population Characteristics - 3.1.3.a SizeandDensity - 3.1.3.b Sex and Age Structure - 3.1.3.~ Reproductive Biology. - 3.1.3.d Mortality
- 3.1.4 Home Range, Movement and Activity - 3.1.4.a Home Range - 3.1.4.b Movement - 3.1.4.~ Activity Pattern and Budget - 3.1.4.d Breeding Season - 3.1.4.e Denning Chronology
- 3.1.5 Feeding Ecology - 3.1.5.a Seasons of Activity - 3.1.5.b Diet - 3.1.5.~ Seasonal Food Habits
- 3.1.6 Habitat Use - 3.1.6.a Spring Habitat Use - 3.1.6.b Summer Habitat Use - 3.1.6.~ Late Summer Habitat Use - 3.1.6.d FallHabitat Use.
- 3.1.7 Vuntut Gwitchin Traditional Knowledge
- 3.1.8 Potential Management Issues and Concerns - 3.1.8.a Bear - Human Interaction - 3.1.8.b HumanUse
- 3.2.1 Distribution, Taxonomy and Morphology
- 3.2.2 Status
- 3.2.3 Population Characteristics - 3.2.3.a SizeandDensity.. - 3.2.3.b Sex and Age Structure
- 3.1.7 Vuntut Gwitchin Traditional Knowledge
- 3.1.6 Habitat Use - 3.1.6.a Spring Habitat Use - 3.1.6.b Summer Habitat Use - 3.1.6.~ Late Summer Habitat Use - 3.1.6.d FallHabitat Use.
- 3.1.3 Population Characteristics - 3.1.3.a SizeandDensity - 3.1.3.b Sex and Age Structure - 3.1.3.~ Reproductive Biology. - 3.1.3.d Mortality
- 3.1 Grizzly Bear Ecology
- 3.0 BEAR LITERATURE REVIEW AND SYNTHESIS
Literature Review and Bear Management Strateqv, Vuntut National Park, YT
3.2.3.~ Reproductive Biology............................. 4 3 3.2.3.d Mortality...................................... 4 4 3.2.4 Home Range and Movement............................... 4 4 3.2.4.a HomeRange................................... 4 4 3.2.4.b Movement..................................... 4 5 3.2.4.~ Breeding Season................................. 4 5 3.2.4.d Denning Chronology............................. 4 6 3.2.5 Feeding Ecology........................................ 46 3.2.5.a Seasons of Activity............................... 4 6 3.2.5.b Diet........................................ ..4 6 3.2.5.~ SeasonalFood Habits............................. 4 9 3.2.6 SeasonalHabitat Use (^).................................... 4 9 3.2.6.a SecurityHabitat................................. 5 0 3.2.6.b Derming (Winter Hibernation) (^)...................... 5 0 3.2.7 Vuntut Gwitchin Traditional Knowledge...................... 5 0 3.2.8 Potential Management Issues and Concerns................... 5 1
4.0 PROPOSED BEAR MANAGEMENT STRATEGY (^)........... 4.1 Vuntut National Park Interim Management Guidelines (^)....... 4.2 Bear Management Objectives (^).......................... 4.3 Strategies to Achieve Management Objectives (^)............. 4.3.1 Human Food & Garbage Management (^)............ 4.3.2 Bear Awareness Education..................... 4.3.3 Bear Sightings, Encounters & Incidents........... 4.3.4 Sustainable Harvest.......................... 4.3.5 Vuntut Gwitchin Local & Traditional Knowledge... 4.3.6 Field Data Collection (^)......................... 4.3.7 Bear Ecology Research........................ 4.4 Action Plan........................................
... ... .. ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
5.0 LITERATURECITED............................................. 71
A. Grant MacHutchon, Wildlife Biologist (^) x
Literature Review and Bear Manaaement Stratepv, Vuntut National Park, YT
2.0 VUNTUT NATIONAL PARK
Much of the following is from the Vuntut National Park Interim Management Guidelines. Vuntut National Park is 4,345 km’ in size and is located in the northwestern comer of the Yukon Territory, north of Old Crow and immediately south of Iwavik National Park. VNP is bounded at the height-of-land to the north by Iwavik National Park, on the east by Black Fox Creek to its confluence with the Old Crow River, on the south by the Old Craw River and to the west by the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska.
VNP was established by the VGFNFA in February 1995. VNP is part of the traditional territory of the Vuntut Gwitchin Fust Nation who are currently centred in the community of Old Crow located 60 km south of VNP.
Canada is divided into 15 ecozones under an ecological classification system VNP is located within the Taiga Cordillera Ecozone. This ecozone is located along the northernmost extent of the Rocky Mountain system and covers most of the northern half of the Yukon and northwest comer of the Northwest Territories. This ecozone is further divided into seven ecoregions of which three, the Old Crow Basin, the Old Crow Flats, and the British-Richardson Mountains, are represented within VNP’s boundaries.
The following descriptions are from Ecological Stratification Working Group (1996).
2.1 Old Crow Basin Ecoregion Most of the northern two thirds of the Park are the rolling hills and pediment slopes of the Old Crow Basin Ecoregion. The landscape is generally flat to gently rolling terrain lying within the non-glaciated Porcupine Plain and Old Crow Range. The ecoregion has a strong continental climate. Mean annual temperature for the area is -9.5”C with a summer mean of 7.5”C and a winter mean of -26°C. Mean annual precipitation ranges from 200- 300 mm.
This region is classified as having a high subarctic ecoclimate. Open, very stunted stands of black spruce and tamarack, with secondary quantities of white spruce and ground cover of dwarf birch, willow, ericaceous shrubs, cotton grass, lichen and moss are predominant. Tussock tundra vegetation covers most gentle slopes. Permafrost is continuous with areas of medium ice content most abundant. Turbic Cryosols found on loamy, gently sloping pediments and on clayey lacustrine material are dominant. Regosolic and Regosolic Static Cryosols occur on river floodplains. Wetlands cover much of the ecoregion. Characteristic wetlands are polygonal peat plateau bogs with basin fens and locally occurring shore fens.
Characteristic wildlife includes caribou, grizzly and black bear, moose, beaver, fox, wolf, hare, raven, rock and willow ptarmigan, and golden eagle.
A. Grant, MacHutchon, Wildlife Biologist (^2)
Literature Review and Bear Management Strategy, Vuntu National Park, YT
2.2 Old Crow Flats Ecoregion
The southern third of VNP is made up of the wetlands and oriented lakes of this non- glaciated ecoregion. This ecoregion is a glaciolacustrine plain that makes up the lowest portion of the Old Crow Basin. This level, low-relief ecoregion, locally referred to as “the Flats” lies at about 300 m above sea level. The climate is strongly continental. Mean monthly air temperature ranges are as extreme as anywhere in North America. Short, warm summers contrast with long, very cold winters. The mean annual temperature for the area is -10°C with a July mean of 14.X and a January mean of -27°C. Mean^ annual precipitation ranges from 200-250 mm. The region is classi&d as having a high subarctic ecoclimate.
Characteristic wetlands cover most of the ccoregion and are made up of polygonal peat plateau bogs with basin fens and locally occurring shore fens. Organic Cryosols are the most common wetland soils. Better drained portions of the land support open, very stunted stands of black spruce and tamarack, with minor quantities of white spruce and ground cover of dwarf birch, willow, ericaceous shrubs, cotton grass, lichen and moss. Static Cryosols on sandy alluvial material and Turbic Cryosols on loamy, ice-rich lacustrine material dominate the mineral soils of the ecoregion. Permafrost is continuous with a high ice content in the form of ice wedges and massive ice bodies.
Characteristic wildlife includes caribou, grizzly and black bear, moose, beaver, muskrat, fox, wolf, hare, raven, rock and willow ptarmigan, and bald and golden eagle.
The Old Crow Flats (14,970 km’) is designated as a Special Management Area (SMA) in the VGFNFA. It is comprised of Vuntut National Park, Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation Settlement Land Blocks R-OlA and R-IOA, and additional land east and west of the settlement land blocks. The Canadian Wildlife Service, North Yukon Renewable Resource Council, Vuntut Gwitchii First Nation, and Yukon Territorial Government all have responsibilities for various aspects of the management of the SMA outside Vuntut National Park. Forty-one percent of the SMA (6,170 km’), including the area within VNP, was designated as a wetland of international significance under the Ramsar Convention in 1982. The productivity of these wetlands is considered remarkably high given the latitude. The area is important as a breeding and moulting ground to some 500,000 water birds.
A. Grant MacHutchon, Wildlife Biologist 5
Literature Review and Bear Manaqement Strategy. Vuntti National Park, YT
3.1 Grizzly Bear Ecology
Figure 1 was adapted from McLaughlin er al. (draft manuscript) to show the approximate location of most of the grizzly bear studies that are referred to in the following review. A list of these study areas and associated references accompanies Figure 1. Based on the work of Ferguson and McLaughlin (in press, BLB#4) and McLaughlin et al. (draft manuscript), I divided grizzly bear populations into different geographic distributions that appeared to correlate with differences in environmental and population parameters. These geographic distributions were barren-ground, interior, and coastal. Interior and barren- ground populations were characterised by relatively low density and small bears that lived in areas of low productivity and high seasonality. Coastal populations were character&d by high population density and large females that lived in areas of high primary productivity and low seasonality (Ferguson and McLaughlin in press, BLB#4). Additional differences between grizzly bear populations in different geographic distributions were suggested by McLaughlin et al. (draft manuscript). Coastal populations in areas of high habitat quality and high density generally had small home ranges and high home range overlap. Interior populations of intermediate habitat quality and density generally had moderately sized home ranges and low levels of home range overlap. Barren-ground populations with low quality habitat and low densities generally had large home ranges and high home range overlap. I further divided interior grizzly bear populations into northern and southern interior to highlight the expected differences due to latitude. The geographic distributions outlined in the study area list that accompanies Figure 1 were used throughout the following review. I suspect that bear populations in VNP fall within the ecological range of barren-ground populations, which are generally found at >65” latitude in arctic or subarctic ecosystems. However, there also may be some similarity to northern interior populations.
3.1.1 Distribution, Taxonomy and Morphology
Servheen et al. (1999, BLB #23, p. 39) shows the current and historical distribution of grizzly bears in North America. Grizzly bears are found throughout the Yukon, including VNP. The north slope of the Yukon, adjacent to VNP, is the northern extent of their range in Canada.
The following was taken from Waits et al. (1998, BLB #28, pp.414-415). Based on the length of the condylobassal processes of North American grizzly bear skulls, Rausch (1963) classified all mainland grizzly bears as the same subspecies (Ursus arcr~s horribilis) and alI grizzly bears from the Kodiak Island archipelago (Figure 1, no. 17 &
- as subspecies Ursus arc&x middendorjfii. Kurten (1973) used skull measurements summarized by Rausch (1963) to propose three North American subspecies, U. a. middendorffii from the Kodiak Island archipelago, II. a. dalli of southern coastal regions of the Alaska panhandle, including Admirality, Baranoff, and Chichagof islands (ARC islands, Figure 1, islands at no. 1). and U. a. horribilis for all other grizzly bears. Finally, Hall (1984) utilised cranial and dentition dimensions to propose seven North American subspecies.
A. Grant MacHutchon. Wildlife Biologist 5
Figure 1. The location of grizzly bear study areas in North America. Refer to the accompanying list for the study area name and associated references. This figure was modified from McLaughlin ef al. (draft manuscript).
A. Grant MacHutchon, Wildlife Biologist 6
Literature Review and Bear Management Strategy, Vuntut National Park, YT
Map study No. Area 30 Yollowrlcm National Park. WY 34 Selkirk Mcuntains. ID 3 4 Sefkfrk Mcuntafns. BC w
Reference(o) Crsighead et al. (1974, 1976,1995), Elmchard (1987), SIanchard and Knight (f930, 1991), Knight et al. (1938, 1989. 1990) Nmack(l985) wialgus slat (1594)
1 Admiralty& Chiff~pf Islands. AK Schcen^ and Bier^ (19%.^ 1990).^ Schoen^ efal.^ (I$&^ 1937).^ Titus^ and^ B&J^ (1993) 6 CopperRiwwD&a.AK (^) Campbell (1!%5) 1 4 Kabnai Nakncd Park, AK Sellers efaL(l993).Calldns8 Lewis(1990) 14 McNeil Rh, AK Glenn (1973). Glen et al (1976). Sellers and Aumiller (1994) 1 5 KhUlz~M FL v&y. SC MecHutchon efal (1993, 1998) 1 7 Kodiak Island (Terra L&e), AK (^) Smith eta/. (1984). Barnes efaf. (1933). Smith and Van Da& (19%. 1991) 1 8 Kod& Island (Uyitk Say), AK (^) Troyer(LHense1(1961).Barnesefa1.(1988).Barnes(1990) 24 Alaska Peninsula. AK Glenn (1973,1975,19&%X Glenn and Miller (1930). Millers and Sellers (1992)
;i Giant MacHutction. Wdlife Biologist
Literature Review and Bear Management Strategy, Vuntti National Park, YT
Five subspecies were restricted to Alaska: 1) U a. middendo@ii of the Kodiak Island archipelago, 2) U. a. gyus of the Kenai Peninsula, 3) U. a. d&i of the northwest panhandle of Alaska, 4) V. a. sitkensis of southeastern Alaska including the ABC islands and the adjacent mainland, and 5) U. a. ahcensis of the remaining mainland areas. The subspecies U. a. sitkensis was restricted to coastal B.C., Washington and Oregon, and I/. a. horribilis included all inland grizzly bears in Canada and the lower 48 states. Clearly, there has not been a definitive breakdown of the different grizzly bear subspecies based on skull morphology alone.
Mitochondrial DNA analysis of grizzly bears from across North America has indicated that there are four major phylogenetic clusters or clades in different geographic regions (Waits er al. 1998, BLB #28). This degree of genetic differentiation of grizzly bears suggested a long-term matrilineal history of genetic isoIation and the four clades may constitute evolutionary significant units. These genetically divergent populations are increasingly being recognized as appropriate units for conservation regardless of taxonomic status (Waits et al. 1998, BLB #28). Clade I included grizzly bear haplotypes from the southeastern Alaskan ABC islands. Clade IV were bears from southern B.C., southern Alberta, and the states of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. Clade II were bears from throughout mainland Alaska and Kodiak Island. Clade III included grizzly bears from regions in extreme eastern Alaska and the Yukon and Northwest Territories (the region encompassing VNP). These last two clades had a contact zone in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska. Therefore, until additional genetic evidence is available, these two clades were promoted as one evolutionary significant unit (Waits et al. 1998, BLB #28).
MitochondriaI DNA phylogeny does not uniformly support any of the above taxonomic classiIications for grizzly bears based on morphology and no phylogentic clade is supported by a subspecitic taxonomic classification (Waits et al. 1998, BLB #28). However, it is suggested that additional phylogentic analysis of additional genes, particularly nuclear and Y chromosome genes, he done before current taxonomic classifications are changed (Waits er al. 1998, BLB #28).
Despite the ongoing re-evaluation of current grizzly bear taxonomic classification, I expect that contiguous populations of grizzly bears in the Yukon, including VNP, will continue to be one subspecies.
Table 1 outlines the range in mean weights for adult male and female grizzly bears from different populations throughout North America. Barren-ground and northern interior grizzly bears had weights within the range of variability of southern interior bears, but were generally smaller than coastal grizzly bears.
A. Grant MacHutchon. Wildlife Biologist 5