GRIZZLY BEAR (URSUS ARCTOS) STUDIES IN THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES: FINAL REPORT TO THE WEST KITIKMEOT/SLAVE STUDY COMPONENT NO. 1, NUTRITIONAL ECOLOGY
Bear populations have declined as humans have expanded their population into the remote areas of North America. The diamond industry is currently expanding exploration into the central Canadian Arctic. As a result, a multi-faceted research program into the ecology of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) in...
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| Format: | Text |
| Language: | English |
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| Online Access: | http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.188.5993 http://www.enr.gov.nt.ca/_live/documents/content/WKSS_Grizzly_Bear_Nutritional_Study.pdf |
| Summary: | Bear populations have declined as humans have expanded their population into the remote areas of North America. The diamond industry is currently expanding exploration into the central Canadian Arctic. As a result, a multi-faceted research program into the ecology of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) in the central Arctic was initiated to gather sufficient information on the affected bears to allow enlightened management policies to develop. The nutritional ecology portion of a larger grizzly bear ecology project examined the feeding patterns and body compositions of grizzly bears living within the region of most active diamond exploration in the Northwest Territories. Feeding patterns of bears were determined using fecal analysis, direct observation, and stable nitrogen isotope analysis. The body compositions of bears were examined by bioelectrical impedance analysis to determine if periods of nutritional stress exist, and to ascertain whether blood parameters reflect stressful nutritional periods. Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) were the most common food item ingested. Barren-ground grizzly bears were adept at killing and consuming large numbers of caribou to meet their |
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