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Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy
The Grizzly Bear is perhaps the greatest symbol of
the wilderness. Its survival will be the greatest testimony
to our environmental commitment. The British Columbia
Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy, developed by the
government of B.C., will leave a permanent legacy for
our children: A Future for the Grizzly.
On this page:
North Cascades Grizzly Bear
Recovery Plan
Grizzly
Bear Population Estimates and Harvest Procedure
Grizzly Bear Scientific Panel
Non-Detriment Finding (CITES)
North Cascades Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan
Recovery planning for Grizzly Bear populations that
are at risk is a critical element of the province's
efforts to realize the first goal of the Grizzly Bear
Conservation Strategy (GBCS), "To maintain in perpetuity
the diversity and abundance of Grizzly Bears and the
ecosystems they depend upon throughout British Columbia."
Currently eleven Grizzly Bear populations have been
designated as “Threatened” under the GBCS (Map
of British Columbia Grizzly Bear Population Units -
jpeg).
In the absence of successful recovery efforts, these populations are at
risk of extirpation, (becoming locally extinct), which
would result in further erosion of the range of Grizzly
Bears in British Columbia and North America as a whole.
Three of these Threatened populations (North Cascades,
South Selkirks and Yahk) are shared with the United
States of America where they are also designated as
"Threatened" under the federal Endangered
Species Act. In these situations, the fourth goal
of the GBCS provides important guidance, "To increase
international cooperation in management and research
of Grizzly Bears."
Due to its small size and isolation from other populations, the recovery
of the North Cascades population is the highest conservation
priority under the GBCS. As a result, the North Cascades
was selected for the first pilot recovery planning process
for a Threatened Grizzly Bear population.
The Honourable Bill Barisoff, Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection
has accepted the Recovery Plan for Grizzly Bears in
the North Cascades of British Columbia. The Minister
has instructed the Recovery Team not to translocate
grizzly bears to the North Cascades until further direction
is received (see Section 4.3). The recovery plan includes
the establishment of a Liaison Committee comprised of
representatives from local First Nations and stakeholders
that will work with the recovery team during its implementation.
Recovery Plan for the Grizzly
Bear Population in the North Cascades of British Columbia
(PDF 1.41MB)
A socioeconomic assessment has been conducted on the recovery plan and is
available.
Socio-Economic Assessment of the Recovery
Plan for Grizzly Bears in the North Cascades of British
Columbia (PDF 1.03MB)
Grizzly Bear Population Estimates and Harvest Procedure
British Columbia's Grizzly Bear population estimates
were revised in 2004 based in part on the recommendations
from the independent Grizzly Bear Science Panel (see
below). The new provincial population estimate is approximately
17,000 Grizzly Bears.
British Columbia
Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos) Population Estimate
2004 (PDF15KB)
Two major methods were used to derive these new Grizzly Bear population
estimates. The first technique involves the use of a
multiple regression model.
Predicting
Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos) densities in British
Columbia using a multiple regression model (PDF 195KB)
The second technique used to derive these new Grizzly Bear population estimates
is the expert-based approach.
Estimating
Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos) Population Size
in British Columbia Using an Expert-based Approach (PDF
855KB)
The procedure for determining the allowable harvest levels for Grizzly Bears
was also revised in 2004, in part on the recommendations
from the independent Grizzly Bear Science Panel (see
below).
Grizzly Bear
(Ursus arctos) Harvest Management in British
Columbia (PDF 193KB)
An analysis of reported human-caused Grizzly Bear mortalities in British
Columbia from 1978-2003 has also been completed.
An
Analysis of Reported Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos)
Mortality Data for British Columbia from 1978-2003 (PDF
276KB)
Grizzly Bear Scientific Panel
The Grizzly Bear Scientific Panel was asked to conduct
a review of the ministry's implementation of the recommendations
in their final report (see below) which they have provided.
The panel’s letter indicates that the Province
has made good progress in implementing their recommendations.
Progress Report (Letter
PDF 83KB) from Dr. J. Peek
The Honorable Bill Barisoff, Minister of Water, Land
and Air Protection, has responded to the progress report
from the Grizzly Bear Scientific Panel. Subsequent to
this correspondence, government has announced several
land-use plans that set aside additional grizzly habitat
areas. (Letter
PDF 65KB)
In March 2003, the Grizzly Bear Scientific Panel submitted
its final report including recommendations for improving
Grizzly Bear harvest management and conservation in
British Columbia.
Management
of Grizzly Bears in British Columbia: a Review by an
Independent Scientific Panel - Final Report (PDF
735KB) (opens in new window)
The Grizzly Bear Scientific Panel commissioned Dr.
Phillip McLoughlin to conduct Grizzly Bear population
modeling to assist them in their review of Grizzly Bear
harvest management in British Columbia.
Managing Risks
of Decline for Hunted Populations of Grizzly Bears Given
Uncertainties in Population Parameters (PDF
414KB)
In order to assist them in their review,
the Grizzly Bear Scientific Panel was provided with two technical
reports prepared by Grizzly Bear scientists within the
provincial government.
The first was a background report on Grizzly
Bear harvest management in British Columbia and the second
was a review and critique of the current management
system.
Grizzly
Bear Harvest Management in British Columbia: Background Report (PDF 6.7MB)
A
Review of Grizzly Bear Harvest Management in British
Columbia
Report PDF
314KB
Map PDF 200KB
A letter from the Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister
of Water, Land and Air Protection, to Margo Wallstrom,
Commissionaire for the Environment for the European
Commission, providing an update on the province's work
to implement the Grizzly Bear Scientific Panel's recommendations
is also available. (Letter
PDF 195KB)
November
2005
Updated Non-Detriment Finding
for the Convention of International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) for the Export
of Grizzly Bears from British Columbia
An
updated Non-Detriment Report has been prepared for CITES,
based on recent revisions to the provincial Grizzly
Bear population estimates and harvest procedures. This
replaces the previous document (2002). The report contains
a summary table and a radar diagram as visual representation
of the issues related to a non-detriment finding under
CITES, and states that “the requirements for a non-detriment
finding are met with the management regime put into
place in British Columbia.” This updated information
will be provided to the Scientific Review Group of the
European Union.
Non-Detriment
Report under the Convention of International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora regarding
the Export of Grizzly Bears (Ursus arctos) from
British Columbia, Canada – PDF 140KB
January
2002
Non-Detriment Finding for the Convention of International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
(CITES) for the Export of Grizzly Bears from British
Columbia
A Non-Detriment Finding has been prepared
for CITES that concludes the export of harvested Grizzly
Bears from British Columbia does not represent a conservation
threat to the species or its populations. A letter from
Matt Austin, Large Carnivore Specialist with the Ecosystems Branch conveying the report to Dave Fraser, the CITES
Scientific Authority for British Columbia, and responding
to concerns raised by the Scientific Review Group of
the European Union, is also available. This information
has been forwarded to the European Union by the Canadian
Wildlife Service in response to a request from the European
Commission.
Letter from M.Austin to D.Fraser January
28, 2002 - PDF 53KB (two
attached pdf files: Non-Detriment Report and bibliography)
Non-Detriment
Report under the CITES Regarding the Export of Grizzly
Bears (Ursus arctos) from British Columbia, Canada
January 28, 2002 - PDF 57KB
(Appendices, figures and tables are additional attached
pdf files of various sizes. To view these files, click
on "Appendix#", "Figure#" or Table#" in the text)
B.C.
Grizzly Bear Bibliography Letter from D. Fraser
to B. von Arx, Canadian Wildlife Service January
29, 2002 - PDF 28KB
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