Someone asked me a very good question


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Posted by Granite Head (209.252.105.62) on 17:58:10 07/24/13

And I thought I knew the answer(s) but when it comes down to it, I don't know the particulars:
When watching a sow bear with three cubs near Colter Bay, how do I know it's 399?

1. DNA has been collected; the first year I saw her (2006) she was collared and had a shaved place on her arm, so I'm sure blood had been drawn recently; DNA can also be collected from scat and hair, so vigilant wildlife managers can test her noninvasively each year. But do they?

2. Bears are territorial, and most bears would not like her territory, practically in the midst of human civilization; 399 has uniquely habituated to peaceful co-existence with people, and the only other bears likely to pick up the same unusual habit would be one of her kids; only one (610) is a reproducing female this year, and 610 has been documented elsewhere in the park.

3. She wears an ear tag, like this polar bear in Churchill, MB. I actually thought I might have seen one, but it could easily be a figment; 399 was more than 100 yards away.

4. ???

Does anybody know how it's done, given that bears tend to look a little different from one season to the next?

Thanks for your thoughts - and knowledge!



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