DOW BIOLOGISTS START BEAR STUDY IN DURANGO

DURANGO, Colo. – The Colorado Division of Wildlife is starting a five-year research project in the Durango area to learn more about the local black bear population. This is the first study of its kind in southwest Colorado and will be one of the most comprehensive studies to date on bear-human conflicts.

The goals of the study are to develop a better understanding of how bear populations use urban areas, determine how to reduce bear-human conflicts and to improve techniques for estimating bear numbers and population trends. The initial phase of the project is underway.

Durango was selected for the study because it is surrounded by high-quality bear habitat that is directly adjacent to urban development.

“Bear-human conflicts appear to be increasing in Colorado, but we don’t know if that reflects an increasing bear population or just a shift in bear behavior as they forage on human food sources available in towns,” said lead researcher Heather Johnson. “We hope to learn more about this as we examine the habitat-use patterns and population dynamics of bears in Durango and the surrounding wildland habitat.”

While the study will take place in and around Durango, the results should be relevant to other areas in Colorado that experience high bear-human conflict rates, Johnson said.
Two primary techniques will be used to collect information on the local bear population. During the first two years of the study, researchers hope to fit 50 female bears with Global Positioning System telemetry collars in order to track their movements. Meanwhile, hair snare stations will collect genetic material from bears, which will allow researchers to estimate population size.
Anyone who comes upon a trap or hair snare should leave the area immediately. Traps are monitored closely by research staff.

Patt Dorsey, area wildlife manager in Durango, said the study is an important effort to learn more about bears and to reduce conflicts.

“The Division works really hard at managing black bears in and around Durango,” Dorsey said. “We are looking forward to having more and better information to help us do our job. Bears are incredible animals that live here because of the good habitat.”

The Durango study follows up on an urban bear study that recently concluded in the Aspen and Glenwood Springs area. That study offered new insights on urban bear movement and interaction, which set the stage for the current research. Researchers decided not to conduct the current study in the Aspen area because local trash ordinances and bear management actions would make it difficult to address the study objectives. The Durango area provides the necessary flexibility to build on the findings of the earlier study.

Durango residents are encouraged to continue reporting bear encounters during the study period. Quick and accurate reporting leads to more successful conflict resolution. To report a conflict, such as bears knocking over trash or damaging property, please call the Division of Wildlife office in Durango at (970) 247-0855.

The City of Durango enforces a wildlife ordinance that prohibits residents from attracting bears and other wildlife with garbage. To report ordinance violations, city residents should call code enforcement at: (970) 375-4930.

The San Juan National Forest is supportive of the research and is helping to coordinate logistics. Visitors to National Forest lands near Durango may see Division of Wildlife employees operating clearly marked ATVs or pickup trucks on routes that are closed to public motorized use. This use is approved by the Forest Service. If forest visitors see other motor vehicles being operated illegally on closed routes in the San Juan National Forest, they should call the Durango Public Lands Center at (970) 247-4874, Columbine Public Lands Center (970) 884-2512, or the Pagosa Public Lands Center (970) 264-2268.

Other organizations collaborating on the study include Colorado State University, the National Wildlife Research Center, Bear Trust International and the Wildlife Conservation Society. Twin Buttes of Durango, a local development company, has contributed money to purchase two telemetry collars.