Grizzly bear use of avalanche chutes in the Columbia Mountains, British Columbia ...

• Main Author: Ramcharita, Roger Karim
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: University of British Columbia 2009
• Subjects: Ursus arctos
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.14288/1.0089772; https://doi.library.ubc.ca/10.14288/1.0089772

I examined spring season use of avalanche chutes by grizzly bears (Ursus arctos L.) in the Columbia Mountains, southeastern British Columbia. Sixty radio-collared grizzly bears were monitored between 1994 and 1998. The frequency of avalanche chute use, the selection of general habitat characteristics within avalanche chutes, and the selection of specific feeding and bedding sites within avalanche chutes by grizzly bears were documented. Fifty-four percent (366/672) of all grizzly bear radio-locations during the spring season (May 1 to July 31) were in avalanche chutes. The proportion of radio-locations in avalanche chutes for the 37 grizzly bears that accounted for > 10 spring season radiolocations each ranged between 20% and 90% (x = 56% ± 18% [mean ± SD]). This variation was not attributable to differences in use between sex or age classes. Within avalanche chutes, grizzly bears selected east and south aspects and areas dominated by grasses and forbs with minimal shrub abundance. Grizzly bears avoided ...