Estimating black bear kill rates of boreal caribou calves and the resulting effect on caribou population dynamics

Boreal caribou are federally listed as threatened due to widespread population declines. The main cause of decline is predation, which is influenced by human-caused landscape disturbance and climate change. Recent evidence suggests that black bear predation of caribou calves may be hindering the recovery of some caribou populations, but this impact is poorly understood in the western boreal forest. In northeastern Alberta, adult black bears were fitted with collars that record GPS location and the number of calves killed by each bear via “bear’s-eye view” videos. By identifying regions where black bear predation of calves has the largest impact on caribou populations, this research will inform where management strategies that protect caribou from multiple predators should be targeted. This research will directly inform the ABMI and its partners how to best implement management strategies to balance the ecological benefits of caribou recovery with the socio-economic benefits of natural resource extraction.

Faculty Supervisor:

Stan Boutin

Student:

Partner:

Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Alberta

Program: