testing grizzly bear population augmentation in the Cabinet Mountains to determine if transplanted 

 bears will remain in the area of release and ultimately contribute to the population through reproduction 

 and (ii) conducting research and monitoring efforts. During this time period, population estimates of 

 grizzlies have been gathered from observations of bears and bear sign (tracks, digs, etc.), from capture 

 and radio-collar operations, and from hair sampling for DNA analysis. 



In order to determine if transplanted bears would remain in the area of release and ultimately contribute 

 to the population through reproduction, a population augmentation program was initiated in the early 

 1990s. As part of this program, four voung female grizzly bears, with no history of conflicts with 

 humans, were captured in the Flathead River Valley of British Columbia and released in the Cabinet 

 Mountains of northwest Montana. One of the transplanted bears produced a cub the following spring 

 however, the animal had likely bred prior to translocation and did not satisfy the criteria for reproduction 

 with native males. This female, and presumably her cub, died of unknown causes later that year. The 

 remaining three bears were monitored until their collars fell off. Three of four transplanted bears 

 remained within the target area for more than one year. In addition, in 2005, FWP transplanted an 

 additional female. 



DNA analysis is currently being used to determine the fate of the three remaining bears transplanted in 

 the 1990s. The program utilizes genetic information from hair-snagging and remote camera observations 

 to attempt to identify transplanted bears or their offspring living in the Cabinet Mountains. This project 

 provides a minimum estimate of the number of bears inhabiting the area, sex ratio of captured bears, and 

 relatedness and genetic diversity measures of captured bears. During 2004, hair from one of the three 

 remaining translocated females was collected at a hair snag site and identified by DNA analysis. 

 Preliminary results also indicate that this female has reproduced. Results are expected to be reported in 

 mid 2006. 



Using only animals identified during 1997-2004 (38) less known mortality (16), USFWS scientists suggest 

 a population of at least 22 individuals. This estimate is conservative because study personnel 

 observations alone would not likely sample all bears in the area, some sightings classified as the same 

 animal may represent different additional animals, and the study has received several credible public 

 reports of additional bears that are not included in this analysis. Since 1989 there have been credible 

 sightings of bears in all 8 BMUs that make up the Yaak portion of the recovery area with sightings of 

 females with young in 6 BMUs. About half of the credible observations of females with young in these 

 BMUs did not appear to come from marked bears. The actual number of unmarked females represented 

 is unknown. A population estimate of 20-30 grizzly bears for the entire Yaak portion of the recover}' zone 

 would appear reasonable. 



The Cabinet Mountains population was estimated to be 15 bears or fewer in 1988. There is insufficient 

 data to dramahcally change that estimate, but since 1988 the population was augmented with 4 young 

 females, and there have been credible sightings of individual bears in all 14 BMUs that make up the 

 Cabinet Mountains with sightings of females with young in 7 BMUs since the completing of transplants. 

 Based on these data, Kasworm and colleagues conservatively estimate the population of the CYE at 30-40 

 grizzly bears. 



In summary, the current trend for the CYE appears to be that the population is declining slightly. 

 Mortality levels in the populations and relationship of the population to recovery criteria presented in the 

 1993 recovery plan are presented in Tables 6 and 7. 



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