Selkirk Mountains Grizzly Bear Recovery Area 2024 Research and Monitoring Progress Report

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has led a grizzly bear monitoring and research program in the Selkirk Mountains Ecosystem (SE) since 2012. Cooperators include Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), Colville and Idaho Panhandle National Forests (USFS), Idaho Department of Lands, Kalispel Tribe, Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The British Columbia (B.C.) effort was led by Michael Proctor with key funding provided by B.C. Habitat Conservation Trust Fund and B.C. Fish and Wildlife Compensation Fund. Fieldwork was limited by COVID-19 during 2020–21.

Recovery plan monitoring targets include the most recent 6-year tracking of the average number of unduplicated females with cubs (6), distribution of females with young by U.S. Bear Management Units (BMUs) (7 of 10 occupied), and human-caused mortality (≤4% of the estimated population). Numbers of females with cubs varied from 2–4 per year and averaged 3.2 per year from 2019–2024. Nine of 10 U.S. BMUs and two of six B.C. units had sightings of females with young during 2019–2024. Human-caused mortality averaged 3.9% during 2019–2024 (2.0 bears per year with 1.5 males and 0.5 females). Twelve known or probable human caused mortalities occurred in or within 10 miles (16 km) of the U.S. SE or inside the B.C. South Selkirk Unit during 2019–2024, including three females, eight males, and one unknown sex. Mortality included two adult females (one management removal and one mistaken identity), one adult male (one management removal), one subadult female (vehicle collision), seven subadult males (three management removal, one each poaching neck snare, vehicle collision, mistaken identification, and self-defense), and one bear of unknown age or sex (train). Recovery targets for distribution and mortality were met, but numbers of females with cubs were not.

Ninety-five instances of known and probable grizzly bear mortality were detected inside or within 10 mi (16 km) of the U.S. SE and the B.C. South Selkirk grizzly bear population unit during 1980–2024. Seventy-nine were human caused, 12 were natural mortality, and 5 were unknown cause. Fifty-six occurred in B.C., 32 in Idaho, and 7 in Washington.

The estimated finite rate of increase (λ) for 1983–2024 using Booter software with the unpaired litter size and birth interval data option was 1.029 (95% CI=0.962–1.085, annual rate of change = 2.9%). The probability that the population was stable or increasing was 82%.

Capture, telemetry, and genetic data were analyzed to evaluate movement and subsequent reproduction resulting in gene flow in or out of the SE from 1983–2024. Twenty-nine grizzly bears were identified as immigrants or emigrants. Seventeen individuals (16 males and 1 female) are known to have moved into the SE from adjacent populations; however, six males and 1 female were killed or removed. Known gene flow from North Purcells has been identified through reproduction by 5 immigrants (4 males and 1 female) resulting in 28 offspring in the SE.

Sixty-eight grizzly bears were radio collared for research purposes from 2007 to 2024, the most recent period of active bear research in B.C. (37 bears 2007–2016) and the U.S. (31 bears 2012–2024). Home range summary calculations and maps were provided. Den entrance and exit dates were summarized.

Monitoring of the Bog Creek Road construction project was conducted and results from telemetry and camera monitoring is presented in Appendix 2.

Berry counts indicated average production for huckleberry during 2024.