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WWF's Circumpolar Human-Polar Bear Conflict Reduction and ...

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WWF’s <strong>Circumpolar</strong> <strong>Human</strong>-<strong>Polar</strong> <strong>Bear</strong><strong>Conflict</strong> <strong>Reduction</strong> <strong>and</strong> MitigationWorkshopTromso, NorwayFebruary 26–28, 2013U.S. Fish <strong>and</strong> Wildlife Service ReportTerry D. DeBruyn, Ph.D.<strong>Polar</strong> <strong>Bear</strong> Project LeaderU.S. Fish <strong>and</strong> Wildlife ServiceT.D. DeBruyn Photo


U.S. Fish <strong>and</strong> Wildlife Service<strong>Polar</strong> <strong>Bear</strong> Program OverviewThe Fish <strong>and</strong> Wildlife Service’s mission is towork with others to conserve, protect, <strong>and</strong>enhance fish, wildlife, plants, <strong>and</strong> their habitatfor the continuing benefit of the American people.T.D. DeBruyn Photo


U.S. Fish <strong>and</strong> Wildlife Service<strong>Polar</strong> <strong>Bear</strong> Project PersonnelTERRY D. DEBRUYN, Wildlife Biologist, <strong>Polar</strong> <strong>Bear</strong> Project LeaderSUSANNE MILLER, Wildlife Biologist, <strong>Bear</strong>/<strong>Human</strong> Interactions & OutreachCRAIG PERHAM, Wildlife Biologist, Incidental Take ProgramCHRISTOPHER PUTNAM, Wildlife Biologist, Incidental Take ProgramERIC REGEHR, Wildlife Biologist, Population ResearchMICHELLE St. MARTIN, Wildlife Biologist, LogisticsJAMES WILDER, Wildlife Biologist, ESA & B/H InteractionsRYAN WILSON, Wildlife Biologist, Population Research


U.S. <strong>Polar</strong> <strong>Bear</strong> PopulationsWorld population: ~20,000–25,000 polar bears in 19 subpopulationsAars et al. 2006


STATUS OF ALASKA’S SHAREDPOPULATIONSALASKA-CHUKOTKA POPULATION:Population size <strong>and</strong> trend is unknownEcological indices, (e.g., body condition <strong>and</strong> reproduction),suggest that the population is maintaining productivity despitesignificant sea ice loss (Rode et al. in review)SOUTHERN BEAUFORT SEA POPULATION:Current population estimate is approximately 1,500 bears(Regehr et al. 2006); previous estimate 1,800Longer ice-free periods over the continental shelfcorrespond with decreased size of cubs <strong>and</strong> growing bears (Rodeet al. 2011) <strong>and</strong> decreased survival of adult females <strong>and</strong> cubs(Regehr et al. 2011)More bears are fasting in the spring now than in the 1980s(Cherry et al. 2009)


Agreements Under Which <strong>Polar</strong><strong>Bear</strong>s are Managed1973 Agreement on the Conservation of <strong>Polar</strong> <strong>Bear</strong>sMarine Mammal Protection Act (co-management)Alaska Nanuuq Commission Cooperative AgreementU.S. / Russia Bilateral Agreement—Alaska-Chukotka populationThe Canada / United States Memor<strong>and</strong>um of Underst<strong>and</strong>ingU.S. Fish <strong>and</strong> Wildlife / Alaska Department of Fish <strong>and</strong> Game


International Cooperation on theConservation of <strong>Polar</strong> <strong>Bear</strong>s


U.S.-Russia Bilateral AgreementAgreement between the United States of America <strong>and</strong> the Russian Federation on theConservation <strong>and</strong> Management of the Alaska-Chukotka <strong>Polar</strong> <strong>Bear</strong> Population• Shared population Chukchi/Bering seas• Agreement signed in October 2000• Implementing legislation signed January 2007• 1 st Commission meeting September 2009:Scientific Working Group• 4 th Commission meeting June 2012: Multi-yearquota—290 bears allocated evenly; 2:1 M:F sexratio; U.S.-Russia Conservation Plan• Alaska Nanuuq Commission <strong>and</strong> U.S. FWSworking on U.S. Shared Harvest Management Plan


Co-managementAlaska Nanuuq Commission• Formed in 1994• Represents Alaska Native polar bear interests• Co-management partner


Shared Harvest Management PlanAlaska-Chukotka PopulationSteve Oomittu photo


Canada / United StatesMemor<strong>and</strong>um of Underst<strong>and</strong>ingT.D. DeBruyn photo


Inuvialuit/Inupiat Agreement–Southern Beaufort Sea PopulationT.D. DeBruyn , U.S. FWS


500Alaska <strong>Polar</strong> <strong>Bear</strong> Harvest 1961–2010Number of <strong>Polar</strong> <strong>Bear</strong>s Harvested400300200100Sport HuntingMarine MammalProtection Act1973 <strong>Polar</strong> <strong>Bear</strong>AgreementSouthern Beaufort Sea PopulationChukchi/Bering Seas PopulationInupiat / InuvialuitAgreementU.S. quota in Southern Beaufort01960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010YearT.D. DeBruyn Photo


<strong>Polar</strong> <strong>Bear</strong> Harvest MonitoringHides <strong>and</strong> skulls must be tagged


Research in theChukchi Sea1.Gather data to inform decisions onharvest management under theUS-Russia Bilateral Agreement2. Provide information to aid inmitigation of development in theChukchi Sea -e.g., Chukchi Sealease sale area3. Determine potential responses torapidly changing sea iceconditions


Research <strong>and</strong> MonitoringFall Coastal Surveys in the Southern Beaufort Sea


FLIR Surveys


Scent-trained Dogs


One-mile exclusion zone


IncidentalTakeInfrequent, unavoidable,or accidentalIntentionalTakePlanned, purposeful, <strong>and</strong>directed


Partners in program:• Local Communities• Oil <strong>and</strong> Gas industry• Military• Mining industry• Academic researchers


<strong>Human</strong>-<strong>Polar</strong> <strong>Bear</strong> Interactions


<strong>Human</strong>-<strong>Bear</strong> Interaction PlanPrimary Components:• Minimize attractants• Develop deterrence program• Education <strong>and</strong> outreach


POLAR BEAR DETERRENCETRAINING MANUALModules:Laws Guiding DeterrenceVisual, Auditory DeterrenceDeterrents PyrotechnicsDirect Contact DeterrentsLethal Action<strong>Bear</strong> Ecology <strong>and</strong> Behavior<strong>Bear</strong> <strong>Human</strong> InteractionsT.D. DeBruyn PhotoDeterrence Principles <strong>and</strong> Practices


<strong>Polar</strong> <strong>Bear</strong>-<strong>Human</strong> Information ManagementSystem for The Range States


The Fish <strong>and</strong> Wildlife Service’s mission is towork with others to conserve, protect, <strong>and</strong>enhance fish, wildlife, plants, <strong>and</strong> their habitatfor the continuing benefit of the American people.QuestionsT.D. DeBruyn PhotoTerry D. DeBruyn, Ph.D.<strong>Polar</strong> <strong>Bear</strong> Project LeaderU.S. Fish <strong>and</strong> Wildlife Service

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