The NCDE is one of six grizzly bear recovery zones south of Canada, and at 2,4 million hectares, supports the largest population of bears south of Canada. Because bears in the NCDE are connected genetically with grizzlies across the border in Canada, the NCDE has better long-term prospects of retaining a viable population than other bear recovery zones whose populations are more isolated and thus may lose genetic diversity over time. Previous grizzly bear population studies in forested habitats typically were accomplished with live capture, radio collars and aerial tracking of bears, which is expensive and disruptive to bears, as well as to park visitors. Kendall has had plenty of help. This year is the final field season of Kendall's DNA study of bears in the Glacier National Park Ecosystem.
Survival is an important factor to understand when managers set conservation actions and priorities.
DNA profiles of individual bears will also allow resource managers to address future conservation issues by providing them with information on the degree of genetic variation, how individual bears are related, and the ratio of males to females. To find out more about this expedition, please see Grizzlies . Earthwatch Institute is one of many partners in this effort. Dr. Lisette Waits' laboratory at the University of Idaho performed all genetic analyses. Other partners included Glacier National Park, Flathead National Forest, Kootenai National Forest, Lewis and Clark National Forest, Blackfeet Nation, and Montana Department of Natural Resource Conservation and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.