Project Field Coordinator
Contract – 1999 to 2003

BACKGROUND

Concerns arose, during the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) hearings into the proposed Cheviot Coal Mine, over the lack of regional data on grizzly bears1. Without current regional data, modeling exercises undertaken to provide insights into the possible effects of the mine on grizzly bears were viewed with uncertainty and skepticism. To address these concerns, provincial, federal and local land managers agreed to the need for the collection of regional data on grizzly bears2. Following preliminary work in 1998, the Foothills Model Forest began an intensive study of grizzly bears in west central Alberta.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the current status of grizzly bears within the National Park and East-Slope portions of West Central Alberta. Key program elements include:

Capture and Monitoring

  • Captures via ground snaring and helicopter darting