Estimating Population Size of a Low-Density Black Bear Population Using Capture-Resight

January 1, 1999

Estimating Population Size of a Low-Density Black Bear Population Using Capture-Resight

We estimated black bear (Ursus americanus) density and population size in the Snowy Range of southeast Wyoming, an area suspected of supporting few bears. We captured 26 bears in 3 study areas during intensive trapping efforts (1,161 trap nights) in 1994-95. Using infrared-activated camera systems to identify marked and unmarked bears visiting bait stations, we estimated population size of the 3 areas with program NOREMARK then calculated density. The estimated population size in 1995 was 70 bears; density estimates ranged from 1.75-3.73 bears/100 km2 for the 3 areas, with a mean of 2.54 bears/100 km2 (95% CI = 2.11-2.97). Black bear density in the Snowy Range was considerably lower than density estimates previously reported for populations in the mountains of western North America.

Author(s) Ronald G. Grogan and Frederick G. Lindzey
Volume 11
Issue
Pages 117-122
Publication Date 1 January 1999
DOI
File Size 222.33 KB
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