Subventions et des contributions :

Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier. (2017-2018 à 2018-2019)

Applied conservation research to develop current knowledge on wildlife populations has importantx000D
implications for industry as well as managers and biologists. The ecotourism industry relies heavily onx000D
ecological knowledge of economically valuable focal species to inform business planning, with success directlyx000D
linked to the abundance and persistence of local wildlife populations. Grizzly Bear Ranch is a bear-viewingx000D
ecotourism business that provides clients with unique access to view and learn about grizzly bears in thex000D
Selkirk-Purcell Mountains of south-eastern British Columbia. Following wildlife management changes in thex000D
area, the company needs information on grizzly bear activity patterns in order to establish new viewing sites inx000D
the summer/fall seasons. In small density bear populations, the presence of specific individual bears can affectx000D
viewing success, therefore identification of specific resident bears is also required. This extended knowledgex000D
will allow for increased client numbers, thus directly increasing revenue. Non-invasive remote trail camerasx000D
will monitor bear activity in a variety of habitats and techniques will be developed to capture the optimalx000D
images required for visual recognition of bears. As technology advances, it is important to develop novelx000D
methodologies to facilitate the use of non-invasive field techniques. This research project will provide feedbackx000D
to the company in the form of a technical report, detailing the spatial and temporal knowledge gained of thex000D
local grizzly bear population, as well as a catalogue of images of different bears that can be used for continuedx000D
monitoring by company personnel. Additionally, this project will develop methodologies and establishx000D
relationships required for a large research collaboration between multiple ecotourism companies. Through thisx000D
NSERC grant, Grizzly Bear Ranch will use the scientific knowledge generated to expand their business,x000D
solidifying their business position but also contributing to the local economy. Ecological knowledge of lowx000D
density grizzly bear populations can also have implications for their appropriate management and conservationx000D
in Canada.