Alberta Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan 2008-2013 - Alberta Sustainable ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Key recommendations of this recovery plan include: • Reduce human-caused grizzly bear mortality by changing human-use of the landscape, including: o Controlling access development and use, and other human activities in grizzly bear habitat o Temporary suspension of hunting as an immediate measure while other recovery actions are implemented • Determine grizzly bear population size and continue ongoing collection and monitoring of key data • Create Grizzly Bear Priority Areas in each population unit to protect high quality habitat and reduce risk from humans • Reduce human/bear conflicts by working with people and managing attractants to minimize adverse bear behaviour • Develop an education program directed at the general public and target audiences • Maintain current grizzly bear distribution, track availability of suitable habitat, and enhance habitat where appropriate • Establish regional grizzly bear recovery implementation teams to address regional issues • Improve inter-jurisdictional cooperation and grizzly bear data management • Improve regulations and/or legislation to support recovery actions • Acquire new funding to support additional government staff (create a grizzly bear recovery coordinator position, enforce regulations regarding attractant storage and access use, support conflict management and education, support ongoing inventory and habitat mapping, and assist with integration of grizzly bear conservation needs into land use planning and land use decisions) • Involve land users and stakeholders in implementation of the recovery plan, including improved communication with, and compensation for, ranchers. x
1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Species Status The national status of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) in Canada was reviewed by COSEWIC in May 2002 and the species was recommended to be of Special Concern (Ross 2002). Reasons for this recommendation included concern for the potential of expanding industrial, residential and recreational development into grizzly bear habitats across the country, habitat and population fragmentation occurring in the southern part of grizzly bear range in Canada, and life history characteristics that make grizzly bears sensitive to human-caused mortality. In Alberta, the grizzly bear is considered a species that May be at Risk of extinction or extirpation at the general status level (Alberta Sustainable Resource Development 2007). The provincial ranking system identifies species that should be considered for designation as species as risk under the Wildlife Act, and is reviewed every five years. The Alberta Endangered Species Conservation Committee (ESCC) conducted a detailed assessment of the Alberta grizzly bear population in 2002 and forwarded a recommendation to the Minister of Sustainable Resource Development (hereafter referred to as the Minister) that the grizzly bear be listed as Threatened under the Wildlife Act (this recommendation is currently under consideration). The recommendation was based on the small population of grizzly bears in Alberta, which is further limited by a slow reproductive rate, limited immigration from populations outside Alberta, and increasing alteration of habitat. In adjacent jurisdictions, grizzly bear status varies, but is not considered secure. In British Columbia, the Yukon, and the Northwest Territories, grizzly bears are recognized as being sensitive to human activities or natural events and may require special attention to prevent them from becoming at risk (Government of British Columbia 2003, Government of Yukon 2001, Government of Northwest Territories 2000). The grizzly bear is Extirpated in Saskatchewan and Threatened in the United States. 1.2 Recovery Team The Alberta Grizzly Bear Recovery Team (hereafter referred to as the Team) was initiated by the Minister, on whose behalf the Director of Wildlife Management provides guidance and approval. The primary responsibility of the Team is to provide recommendations for recovery in an Alberta Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan (hereafter referred to as the Plan), outlining recovery strategies and actions. The Team assists the Minister and the Alberta Fish and Wildlife Division (FWD) with Plan implementation by facilitating and encouraging involvement of appropriate and interested parties. The Team is also responsible for updating the Plan, and evaluating and reporting on the progress of recovery actions. The Plan is a dynamic document. The initial life span of the Plan is five years, during which the Team will meet at least annually to review and update the Plan as required. At the end of five years the Plan will be assessed to determine if the Goal and Objectives are being achieved. 1
Page 1 and 2: Alberta Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan
Page 3 and 4: Publication No.I/297: ISBN: 978-0-7
Page 5 and 6: TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE _________
Page 7 and 8: LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Current g
Page 9: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In 2002, the Enda
Page 13 and 14: ultimately determine the concession
Page 15 and 16: and predation are the most common c
Page 17 and 18: 2.4 Population Size and Trends A re
Page 19 and 20: This analysis suggests that the Alb
Page 21 and 22: Stevens 2003), which is above the p
Page 23 and 24: eing killed by resident male bears,
Page 25 and 26: individuals that can be supported i
Page 27 and 28: Region 1 Causes of conflict, mortal
Page 29 and 30: • In some areas of the province,
Page 31 and 32: these two objectives should be impl
Page 33 and 34: Notes on Open Route Density Process
Page 35 and 36: Measures of success: A. 10% decline
Page 37 and 38: conducive to high reproductive outp
Page 39 and 40: 6.4.1 Develop an education program
Page 41 and 42: 7.0 RECOVERY ACTIONS Administration
Page 43 and 44: ear dogs is used in grizzly respons
Page 45 and 46: 7.7 Improve and Apply Regulations a
Page 47 and 48: Process/Activity Inside Grizzly Bea
Page 49 and 50: 8.0 IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE AND COS
Page 51 and 52: Item Recovery Action Initiation Tim
Page 53 and 54: • Accurate - achieve the degree o
Page 55 and 56: Yellowstone ecosystem 1959 - 1987.
Page 57 and 58: McLellan, B.N. and F. W. Hovey. 200
Page 59 and 60: Stenhouse, G., M. Boyce, J. Boulang
Page 61 and 62:
Independent bear - Individual bear
Page 63 and 64:
4. Review the number and type of be
Page 65 and 66:
Biologist will provide guidance and
Page 67 and 68:
APPENDIX 3 Example of Grizzly Bear
Page 69 and 70:
Figure A3. Road density analysis su
Page 71 and 72:
APPENDIX 4 Current and proposed Bea
Page 73 and 74:
APPENDIX 6 Grizzly bear conflict an
Page 75 and 76:
APPENDIX 8 Summary of proposed OHV
Page 77 and 78:
APPENDIX 10 DNA Census Results 2004
show all

Alberta Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan 2008-2013 - Alberta Sustainable ...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?