Grizzly Bear

Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos) Appendix II

Grizzly bears in Canada:
Panel of experts endorses BC Grizzly Bear Conservation Science shows export levels are sustainable

In March 2003, an independent scientific panel, appointed on recommendations from the International Association for Bear Research and Management, confirmed that the British Columbia government is managing grizzly bears effectively and using sound population estimates.

B.C.'s Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection Joyce Murray expressed pleasure that the scientific panel's report concluded that the harvest of grizzly bears in B.C. can be managed on a sustainable basis, with minimal risk of population declines.

The panel's report supports the Government of B.C.'s population estimates of at least 13,800 bears and strongly refutes population estimates of 6,000 or fewer bears suggested by some advocacy groups, calling them "unreliable" and "biologically unrealistic."

The panel concluded that current protective measures, combined with some additional recommended measures, offer a "robust conservation strategy for grizzly bears."

Minister Murray confirmed that action would be taken immediately to address the many recommendations of the panel. The long-term conservation strategy will also be revised to ensure that healthy grizzly populations are sustained in the future.

As recommended by the panel, the province has indicated that it will reduce the maximum allowable human-caused grizzly bear mortality rate to five per cent from six per cent in time for the spring 2004 hunting season. The province will also revise administrative unit boundaries and conduct additional research to track population trends.

The province plans to update the grizzly bear conservation strategy to address the panel's recommendations for dealing with habitat issues, maintaining grizzly bear populations and establishing grizzly bear management areas. A public advisory committee made up of First Nations, hunters, guide outfitters, industry, conservationists, outdoor recreation users, naturalists and representatives of local and federal governments will provide input into the strategy.

After receiving all the valuable information provided by the panel, the CITES Scientific Authority at Environment Canada will update the Non Detriment Finding for the grizzly bear. Most likely, in light of the conclusions of the panel and the willingness of the Province to implement immediately the recommendations of the report, the Scientific Authority will be able confirm its assessment that the export of grizzly bear trophies will not be detrimental to the sustainability of the species in Canada.

Ups and downs about the sustainability of the export levels

In November 2001, the Scientific Review Group (SRG) of the European Union (EU) made a decision against allowing imports of grizzly bear hunting trophies from the Canadian province of British Columbia.

On the basis of the information available to the members at the time, the SRG of the EU decided that the export of grizzly bear hunting trophies from British Columbia is not sustainable, and that current harvest levels will endanger the survival of this species in the province. The EU's position is based on a limited review of scientific data of questionable merit despite the wide range of peer-reviewed scientific literature available on the grizzly bear, one of the most intensively studied large mammal species in North America.

In consultation with British Columbia, the Government of Canada sent a response to the SRG that contained the most recent scientific data showing that the level of export is sustainable and does not threaten the survival of the grizzly bear. As a result, on April 2 2002, the EU's SRG reversed its November 2001 decision on imports of grizzly bear hunting trophies from the province of British Columbia. However, their decision included a caveat that the issue would remain under review until after the report of the Grizzly Bear Scientific Review Panel, appointed by the provincial government, is released was December 2002. The aim of the panel was to ensure that hunting, as currently managed, does not threaten the long-term conservation of grizzly bears in British Columbia.

The Governments of Canada and British Columbia take their responsibilities under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) very seriously, and are working together to ensure that the grizzly bear does not become endangered or threatened.

The facts on grizzly bears in British Columbia

Provincial government estimates place the number of grizzly bears in British Columbia at about 14 000 animals. British Columbia grizzly bears make up about half of the total Canadian population. Their range covers about 84 per cent of British Columbia and 89 per cent of their historic range. There are 60 distinct Grizzly Bear Management Units in the province, 49 of which are capable of withstanding conservative hunting limits.

In areas where hunting is permitted, wildlife biologists monitor individual grizzly bear populations closely. In determining where hunting prohibitions are warranted, biologists consider many causes of mortality including poaching, losses from human-bear conflicts, collisions with trains and other vehicles, and deaths from natural causes. Hunting is banned in a substantial number of areas with healthy grizzly bear populations, and no hunting is permitted in areas where populations are in need of recovery.

In areas where hunting is permitted, the hunt is closely regulated. It is illegal to kill a bear less than two years old or any bear found with it (usually its mother). The number of resident hunters is limited, and tags can be obtained only through a random draw. A quota system has been established for non-resident hunters, who can take a bear only if a licensed guide outfitter or an assistant guide accompanies them. Hunters are required to bring for inspection any bears they harvest to a provincial government office, where a premolar tooth is removed to determine the age of the bear. Poachers can face a fine of up to $100,000 or six months in jail.

Management for the species is consistent with modern wildlife management practices. Harvest levels are carefully regulated in each area where grizzly bear hunting is allowed. Harvest levels are set to about 3 per cent of the population annually and adjusted so that the overall loss to human-caused mortality does not exceed 6 per cent, or even less depending on the habitat in each area. Because of this conservative management regime, there has been no significant change in the range of the grizzly bear over the past 30 years, and several studies have shown that the population is stable.

About 100 to 150 bear trophies are exported from British Columbia annually, accounting for about half of total bear kills in the province every year. More than 80 per cent of the trophies are exported to the United States, and only about 15 to 20 trophies are exported to the EU each year.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

The SRG of the EU reviewed the import of grizzly bear trophies into the EU countries under CITES, an international agreement developed to prevent illegal trade in endangered species. The Convention is administered in Canada through a partnership between the federal and provincial / territorial governments.

In some cases, CITES measures are imposed on species even if they are not endangered. This is the case with grizzly bears, which is a listed species under CITES because its hide and other products cannot be readily distinguished from species that do require protection under the Convention. The national Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) and the British Columbia Conservation Data Centre (CDC) have both determined that British Columbia grizzly bears are not threatened or endangered.

Trophies or other products from grizzly bears can be exported from Canada under CITES, as long as the exports can be shown to be biologically sustainable. Such decisions are known as "non-detriment findings" and are the responsibility of the scientific authority for CITES in each country.

On February 1, 2002, Canada's scientific authority for CITES submitted scientific information and analysis to the EU Scientific Review Group for its assessment on imports of grizzly bear trophies. This information is based on the most recent available scientific data on the status of grizzly bear populations in British Columbia.

When the British Columbia scientific panel of experts completes its review, the Governments of British Columbia and Canada will have further evidence to guide future decisions with respect to grizzly bear exports under CITES.

For further information on the grizzly bear in British Columbia, please visit the web site of the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection in British Columbia.