grizzlies may be swimming to Vancouver Island
Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 9:52 pm
http://canadianpress.google.com/article ... t-szRtUB7Q
The Canadian Press
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Mainland B.C. grizzlies swimming to Vancouver Island in search of new range
23 hours ago
VICTORIA — The sighting of a grizzly bear on what is supposed to be grizzly-free Vancouver Island has scientists and government officials wondering if the burly animals are swimming over from the B.C. mainland in search of a new life.
Conservation officers confirm a young male grizzly was spotted last weekend on the island, and Environment Minister Barry Penner said Thursday the bears may have been forced to look for new land.
"I'm not entirely surprised. Grizzly bears often times have minds of their own," said Penner.
"Based on anecdotal information, we believe that the grizzly bear population is increasing on the (mainland's) Central Coast and it's possible that the younger males are facing a challenge when it comes to finding a range."
Penner said dominant male grizzlies will often make it plain to the younger males that it's time for them to move on, and that could lead the younger ones to jump into the ocean and swim the waters that separate the B.C. mainland and Vancouver Island.
"It may be the younger males are taking a hint and are looking for greener pastures by swimming across to Vancouver Island, " Penner said. "They are remarkable in terms of their physical ability."
Vancouver Island has never been a natural home for grizzlies, but they have been reported as far back as 1940 and young grizzlies were shot on the island's north in 2001 and 2005 near the logging communities of Woss and Sayward.
Most recently, a guide outfitter spotted the young bear northwest of Campbell River, midway up the east coast of the island. The guide was chased back to his vehicle when he tried to photograph the animal.
Penner said the government has decided to monitor the bear situation and asked members of the public to report any suspected grizzly sighting to the Environment Ministry.
Vancouver Island is home to hundreds of black bears, who feed on salmon, vegetation and other small animals. Black bears and the much larger grizzlies do not get along, and Penner said black bears will do their best to stay away from grizzlies.
The average male black bear weighs about 135 kilograms, but can reach 290 kilograms. Females are smaller weighing about 70 kilograms.
By comparison, grizzly bears are second only to polar bears as the largest land carnivores in North America. Male grizzlies can weigh up to 500 kilograms, though they average between 250 and 350 kilograms. Females weigh between 125 and 175 kilograms.
A large carnivore expert who has studied the habits of wolves, cougars and bears on Vancouver Island said grizzlies may be attempting to relocate on the island, but the conditions to support a large grizzly population don't appear to be there.
Dr. Chris Darimont, spokesman for the Island-based Raincoast Conservation Society, he said he speculates grizzlies have been swimming over to the island for centuries, but the less mountainous terrain and steady encroachment of human populations have kept the bears from settling permanently.
"That's not to say a small population couldn't exist in perpetuity on the island, but that they have not is a signal to me that the island doesn't quite offer what they need," Darimont said.
He said he's pleased the B.C. government has decided to monitor the grizzly situation rather than mount an immediate hunt.
Grizzlies have been known to stalk and attack humans, but those instances are rare, Darimont said.
The Canadian Press
Go to Google News
©2008 Google - Map data ©2008 LeadDog Consulting, NAVTEQ™ - Terms of Use
Mainland B.C. grizzlies swimming to Vancouver Island in search of new range
23 hours ago
VICTORIA — The sighting of a grizzly bear on what is supposed to be grizzly-free Vancouver Island has scientists and government officials wondering if the burly animals are swimming over from the B.C. mainland in search of a new life.
Conservation officers confirm a young male grizzly was spotted last weekend on the island, and Environment Minister Barry Penner said Thursday the bears may have been forced to look for new land.
"I'm not entirely surprised. Grizzly bears often times have minds of their own," said Penner.
"Based on anecdotal information, we believe that the grizzly bear population is increasing on the (mainland's) Central Coast and it's possible that the younger males are facing a challenge when it comes to finding a range."
Penner said dominant male grizzlies will often make it plain to the younger males that it's time for them to move on, and that could lead the younger ones to jump into the ocean and swim the waters that separate the B.C. mainland and Vancouver Island.
"It may be the younger males are taking a hint and are looking for greener pastures by swimming across to Vancouver Island, " Penner said. "They are remarkable in terms of their physical ability."
Vancouver Island has never been a natural home for grizzlies, but they have been reported as far back as 1940 and young grizzlies were shot on the island's north in 2001 and 2005 near the logging communities of Woss and Sayward.
Most recently, a guide outfitter spotted the young bear northwest of Campbell River, midway up the east coast of the island. The guide was chased back to his vehicle when he tried to photograph the animal.
Penner said the government has decided to monitor the bear situation and asked members of the public to report any suspected grizzly sighting to the Environment Ministry.
Vancouver Island is home to hundreds of black bears, who feed on salmon, vegetation and other small animals. Black bears and the much larger grizzlies do not get along, and Penner said black bears will do their best to stay away from grizzlies.
The average male black bear weighs about 135 kilograms, but can reach 290 kilograms. Females are smaller weighing about 70 kilograms.
By comparison, grizzly bears are second only to polar bears as the largest land carnivores in North America. Male grizzlies can weigh up to 500 kilograms, though they average between 250 and 350 kilograms. Females weigh between 125 and 175 kilograms.
A large carnivore expert who has studied the habits of wolves, cougars and bears on Vancouver Island said grizzlies may be attempting to relocate on the island, but the conditions to support a large grizzly population don't appear to be there.
Dr. Chris Darimont, spokesman for the Island-based Raincoast Conservation Society, he said he speculates grizzlies have been swimming over to the island for centuries, but the less mountainous terrain and steady encroachment of human populations have kept the bears from settling permanently.
"That's not to say a small population couldn't exist in perpetuity on the island, but that they have not is a signal to me that the island doesn't quite offer what they need," Darimont said.
He said he's pleased the B.C. government has decided to monitor the grizzly situation rather than mount an immediate hunt.
Grizzlies have been known to stalk and attack humans, but those instances are rare, Darimont said.