The Wildlife Society · Sultana Majid – Movement ecology of infection risk for California bighorn...

The Wildlife Society

THE BRITISH COLUMBIA CHAPTER

2019 Conference and Workshop BC CONNECTIONS: OUR FUTURE

TOGETHER

March 1-3, 2019 Kelowna, British Columbia

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Table of Contents

Welcome to the Inagural BCTWS Conference & Workshop ......... 2

Committees ....................................................................................... 3

Conference Sponsors ...................................................................... 4

General Information ......................................................................... 6

Schedule at a Glance ....................................................................... 7

Oral Presentations ......................................................................... 11

Poster Presentations ..................................................................... 29

Attachment 1:

Conservation Affairs Committee Session Info ............................ 32

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Dear Participants of the Inaugural BCTWS Conference & Workshop,

We listened to your feedback on the Membership Survey, and as a result have built our annual conference to include many opportunities to meet, interact, and share information with other wildlife biologists from across the Province, while becoming better informed about current and changing provincial issues. To capture these concepts, we selected our conference theme of BC Connections: Our Future Together. We would also like to acknowledge that during our conference we are gathering on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territory of the Sylix/Okanagan people. The idea is to keep the meeting action-packed and intimate so that professional connections and lasting friendships can be easily made. We have included different forums for sharing and learning about hot topics across the province, including standard Open-Paper and Poster Programs and a Rapid-Paper Program. The Rapid-Papers will allow members to quickly communicate activities important to them, creating greater opportunities to stimulate discussion during breaks, and allow members to get to know one another and identify opportunities for collaboration. Scaling up from personal connections, we are excited to hear the keynote address from Jennifer Psyllakis Director of Wildlife and Habitat, Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, “Insight & Vision: Navigating a Career in Natural Resource Management”. We are also looking forward to engaging with the fantastic panel we’ve assembled to discuss British Columbia’s developing Species-At-Risk legislation. And make sure you stay till the end when we will have an important discussion on how to have your voice represented provincially during a Conservation Affairs Committee discussion. The BCTWS takes the future of British Columbia’s wildlife seriously. We believe the greatest contribution we can make to secure our legacy is through support of our students and young professionals. It is clear to me you also share this sentiment, indicated by so many having readily volunteered to attend our “Speed-Networking Session.” We have been graciously supported by several fantastic organizations (pages 4-5), so please remember to thank them for their important contribution to our Chapter. You too can help British Columbia’s future wildlife students by grossly over-bidding on our silent auction items. Our intent is for this conference to be fun and engaging, so I hope you brought your positive energy and plan to enjoy yourselves while simultaneously building a community of forward-thinking and engaged wildlife biologists. I thank you for your attendance and appreciate you doing your part to build a lasting and vibrant BC Chapter of The Wildlife Society. Sincerely,

J. Scott Yaeger

President / 2019 Conference Chair BC Chapter of The Wildlife Society

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Committees:

BCTWS Executive Team Conference Committee Chairs

• President – Scott Yaeger • Conference Coordination – Scott Yaeger

• President-Elect – Bill Harrower • Communications – Julie Kanya

• Secretary-Treasurer – Tyler Muhly • Fundraising – Myles Lamont

• Student Liaison – Agnes Pelletier • Panel discussion – Bill Harrower

• Director – Ashley Kerik • Paper Program – Bill Harrower

• Director – Pat Baird • Registration – Tyler Muhly

• Past President – Rod Davis • Student Awards – Adam Ford

• Communications Chair – Julie Kanya • Student Conclave and Mentorship –

Eamon Riordan-Short

• Student Liaison – Agnes Pelletier

• Volunteer Coordinator – Cayla Naumann

Special thanks to all the other volunteers that helped with the conference!

Conference Volunteers

Jeff Werner Alex Ritz Shea Carson

Sidhu Gurjot UBCO – Student Chapter Execs and members

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We sincerely thank our sponsors for their generous contributions to help make this conference possible!!

Platinum Sponsors:

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We sincerely thank our sponsors for their generous contributions to help make this conference possible!!

Gold Sponsors:

Bronze Sponsors:

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GENERAL INFORMATION:

Venue: Royal Anne Hotel 348 Bernard Ave, Kelowna, BC V1Y 6N5 Hotel WIFI password is: rahotel348 Registration: The registration desk will be located in the hall between meeting rooms. The registration desk will be open: Friday, March 1st 10:00-12:00, Saturday, March 2nd 8am-830am, Sunday March 3rd 8am-830am. Lunch: Lunch will be served 12:15 – 1:45, Saturday, March 2nd in the Cutters Room. Buffet lunch is included for all registered participants. Refreshment Breaks: Coffee, tea, and snacks will be served in the Cutters Room during all networking breaks. Welcome Social and Poster Session: Please join us for the Welcome Social and Poster Session on Friday March, 1st in the Cutters Room 16:35 – 18:00. hors d’oeuvres and host/no-host bar included. Student/Professional Speed Networking Social: Speed-Networking session for professionals and students held 16:50 – 18:00 Saturday March, 2nd in the Cutters Room. Hors d’oeuvres and host/no-host bar included *Pre-registration required. Students and professionals will have a few minutes to introduce themselves, ask questions, and have a brief discussion. After ~5 minutes, students will move on to meet the next professional. Students can ask about graduate school or professional work (i.e., career paths, recommended experiences and/or expertise, etc.), or talk about common interests related to wildlife science and conservation. This is an opportunity for students to meet new contacts and for professionals to mentor and potentially find new collaborations. Silent Auction: Silent auction items will be displayed in the Ballroom during the conference. Participants are encouraged to bring items to donate for this fundraising auction. Proceeds help to defray the costs of this and future conferences for students and young professionals and ensuring maximum participation and professional development opportunities. Auction bids close Saturday, March 2nd end of day; winners to be listed at registration desk Sunday March 3rd 8:00am.

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Schedule at a Glance: Friday March 1 Saturday March 2 Sunday March 3

Mor

ning

Act

iviti

es

10:00 – Registration opens

Mod

erat

or: A

shle

y K

erik

08:30 - 09:15 Rapid-fire talks

Mod

erat

or: J

oann

a va

n B

omm

el


09:15 - 09:35 Contributed research presentation


09:35 - 10:05 Networking Break

9:30 - 9:50 Networking Breaks

10:30 – 12:00 Student conclave (Okanagan Ballroom) & Business Meeting (Similkameen Ballroom)

10:05 - 12:00 SAR panel discussion

9:50 -10:15 Contributed research presentation 10:15-11:20 Broad-scale collaboration discussion 11:20-11:50 Announce Awards 11:50-12:00 Closing remarks

Lunch

12:00-13:00 12:00 - 13:45 Buffet Lunch & Team Wildlife Competition

12:00 Adjournment

Afte

rnoo

n A

ctiv

ities

M

oder

ator

: Jan

elle

Col

e

13:00-13:20 Introductory welcome

13:20-13:45 Rapid-fire talks 13:45-14:05 Contributed research presentation 14:05-14:30 Rapid-fire talks

Mod

erat

or: J

eff W

erne

r 13:45 - 14:20 Rapid-fire talks

14:30-14:50 Contributed research presentation

14:20 -14:45 Contributed research presentation

14:50-15:15 Rapid-fire talks

14:45-15:05 Networking Break

15:15 -15:45 Networking Break

15:05 -16:45 Conservation Affairs Committee discussion (Attachment 1)

15:45-16:45 Keynote address 16:45-18:00 Poster session social: hors d’oeuvres and host/no-host bar

16:45 -18:00 Student/Professional speed networking

18:30 -No-host pub gathering Craft Beer Market 257 Bernard Ave, Kelowna; dinner on your own.

18:30 No-host pub gathering (Location TBD); Dinner on your own

*All general talks will be held in the Ballroom

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Oral Presentations and Schedule of Events:

Friday March 1st 10:00 Registration Open

10:30 - 12:00 Student conclave (Okanagan Ballroom) 10:30 - 12:00 Business Meeting Similkameen Ballroom 12:00 - 13:00 Lunch - On your own 13:00 - 13:20 Introductory Welcome (Scott Yaeger)


Tyler Muhly – Response of wolves to human footprint across boreal Canada Jeff Werner – Landscape change & moose nutrition Felix Martinez-Nunez– Little Brown Myotis habitat use in Metro Vancouver Lorina Keery–Impact of bison reintroductions to Banff National Park


Tony Button– Interim assessment protocol for moose – assessing and managing cumulative effects in British Columbia


Bill Harrower – Using expert knowledge to identify conservation outcomes and management options for wolverine (Gulogulo) in the north Garth Mowat – Sustainability of wolverine trapping Joanna Burgar - Evaluating camera trap surveys as an effective means of monitoring remote ungulate populations Stephen Symes – Guiding avoidance measures for Badger using winter space use


Rich Weir – Identifying functional populations of fisher and wolverine for conservation and management


Heather Bryan – Variation in grizzly bear growth and body size Clayton Lamb – Genetic tagging in the Anthropocene: scaling ecology from alleles to ecosystems Aisha Uduman – Investigating leopard-livestock conflict in Sri Lanka Alexia Constantinou – Impacts of variable retention on mammalian wildlife Lauren Henson - Anthropogenic and landscape drivers of population genetic structure in grizzly bears on the central coast of BC

15:15 - 15:45 Networking Break 15:45 - 16:45 Keynote address

Jennifer Psyllakis, “Insight & Vision: Navigating a Career in Natural Resource Natural Resource Management”

16:45 - 18:00 Poster session social: hors d’oeuvres and host/no-host bar

End day 1 No-host pub gathering Craft Beer Market 257 Bernard Ave, Kelowna; dinner on your own.

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Saturday March 2 08:00 Registration Open

08:30 - 09:15 Rapid Fire Talks

Emily Sunter – New directions in human-carnivore coexistence research Tyler Jessen – Contributions of Indigenous Knowledge to Wildlife Ecology and Evolution Kate Field –Safeguarding animal welfare via Publication reform Scott Yaeger –Targeting decision-makers to conserve fisher habitat Eamon Riordan-Short – Wildlife Photography, Citizen-Science, and You Kyle Artelle – Spatial assessment of grizzly bears and protected areas in the GBR Joanna van Bommel – Predictors of human-carnivore conflict on Southern Vancouver Island Adam Ford – Averting harmful outcomes in conservation


Leah Ramsay- “Conservation Status Assessments 101 (or Lists, Bloody Lists)”

09:35 - 10:05 Networking Break

10:05 - 12:00 SAR panel discussion, “What everyone ought to know about British Columbia’s developing Species-at-Risk legislation” Facilitator: Bill Harrower

12:00- 13:45 Lunch break – Included buffet served on site & Team wildlife competition


Mike Proctor- Re-establishing functional connectivity of grizzly bear

Sultana Majid – Movement ecology of infection risk for California bighorn sheep Cloe Wright –Behavior, demography & environmental change in mule deer of southern BC Lauren Eckert - Indigenous Knowledge and Environmental Assessment in Canada – implications for wildlife Nicole Botten - Is the nutritional quality of wildlife forage reduced by the persistence of glyphosate herbicide in plant tissues? Shea Carson – Career as a Wildlife Biologist or Zoologist- Why me?


Michael Gillingham “Determining factors that affect survival of Moose in Central British Columbia”

14:45 - 15:05 Networking Break 15:05 - 16:20 Conservation Affairs Committee discussion

“Establishing our Future Conservation Priorities Together” Facilitator: Tyler Muhly and BCTWS executive (Attachment 1)

16:25 - 16:55 Social (Bar open) 16:55 -18:00 Student/Professional speed networking

18:30 No-host pub gathering (Location TBD); Dinner on your own

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Sunday March 3, 2019 08:00 Registration open. Collect silent auction winnings.


Kristen Mancuso – Overwinter Locations of Yellow-breasted Chats Breeding in Okanagan Jennifer Meineke – Biosolid Effects on vole populations and raptor and owl communities Ilona Mihalik –Costly signaling theory sheds light on motivations of big game hunters Edward Kroc – Promoting and Protecting Urban Nesters, Migrants, and Residents Jesse Zeman – Funding wildlife management Toby St Clair – Novel methods for bat surveys in Metro Vancouver


Robin Naidoo “Recreational impacts on wildlife in the South Chilcotin Mountains, BC”

09:30 - 09:50 Networking Breaks 09:50 - 10:15 Contributed research presentation

Erin Tattersall – Large mammal dynamics on a boreal working landscape

10:15 - 11:20 Broad-scale collaboration discussion (What do you want from BC TWS? Get Involved) Facilitator: Scott Yaeger

11:20 -11:50 Announce Awards 11:50 -12:00 Closing remarks (Scott Yaeger) 12:00 Adjourn

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Oral Presentations (In Alphabetical Order)

Artelle K.A.1, M. L. Bourbonnais, J. D. Reynolds, P. C. Paquet, M. S. Adams, H. M. Bryan, K. A. Field, C. N.

Service, and C. T. Darimont

1 Postdoctoral Fellow University of Victoria, Victoria BC,&Raincoast Conservation Foundation, Sydney BC,

[email protected]

Using culturally important focal species to inform conservation: spatial assessment of grizzly bears

and protected areas in the Great Bear Rainforest

The need for conservation that addresses both ecological and cultural dimensions is increasingly being

recognized. We illustrate how species of high cultural importance provide opportunities for addressing

both, focusing on grizzly bears (Ursusarctos horribilis), which have significant cultural and ecological

importance. Specifically, we conducted spatial capture-recapture modeling on data from a non-invasive

monitoring project that spans territories of, and is run in partnership with, the Haíɫzaqv,

Kitasoo/Xai’xais, Wuikinuxv, and Nuxalk First Nations. We characterized the density of grizzly bear

activity centres from 2014-2017 across a 28,500 km2 study boundary and identified hotspots as: 1) areas

with activity centre densities in the 90th percentile, or 2) significant spatial congregations of high activity

centre densities, identified by the Getis-OrdGi* statistic. We found gaps in the overlap between hotspots

and existing protections under of the ‘Great Bear Rainforest Agreement’: over half of 1) male (59%) and

female (52%) upper percentile hotspot area and 2) male (56%) and female (51%) Gi* hotspot area

remain unprotected under current land use designations. These results identify potential conservation

gaps, identify areas where additional protection might provide particular benefit, and more broadly

illustrate the potential benefits from empirical inquiry on the stewardship of culturally important

wildlife.

Botten N.1

1MSc Candidate, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George BC,[email protected]

Is the nutritional quality of wildlife forage reduced by the persistence of glyphosate herbicide in plant

tissues?

Glyphosate, the most widely used herbicide worldwide, is the top choice for use on BC’s forests after

harvesting, to prevent competition for commercially-significant conifers. When glyphosate is sprayed on

forest cut blocks, various factors result in some plants receiving a sublethal dose. Surviving plants may

store and translocate glyphosate molecules within their tissues, and glyphosate may thus persist in plant

tissues for an extended duration of time. I am investigating the duration of glyphosate persistence in

plant tissues, by analyzing the shoot and root tissues of 6 species of perennial forest plants that I

collected last summer in forest cut blocks sprayed with GBH over a period of time ranging from 1 to 12

years ago. Mammals such as moose and bears are known to frequent recently-logged areas in search for

preferred foods. A known chelating agent, glyphosate readily binds to certain metal ions, a property

that may have a negative effect on the bioavailability of key nutrients in glyphosate-containing plants. It

is this effect that glyphosate may have on nutritional quality of wildlife forage that I will be further

investigating. The results of my research will be of use to forest and wildlife managers in the vegetation-

management decision-making process.

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Bryan H. A.1, Bateman, M. Adams, J. Ehlers, T. Levi, G. Mowat, P. Paquet, and C. Darimont

1Raincoast-Mitacs Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Victoria, Victoria BC, and Raincoast Conservation

Foundation, Sydney BC,[email protected]

Temporal variation in grizzly bear growth and body size reveals large-scale phenotypic change across

British Columbia

Growth and body size are fundamental life history traits that are shaped by individual and

environmental conditions. Examining variation in growth trajectories over time may therefore provide

insight into the responses of populations to environmental change. Accordingly, we examined temporal

trends in grizzly bear skull size (width and length) using a dataset of bears killed in British Columbia

between 1973 and 2006 (n = 6723). By applying novel incremental growth models, we found that bears

born in 2006 grew faster and reached 95% asymptotic body size (a proxy for age at first reproduction) at

an earlier age compared with bears born in 1973. These findings suggest that large-scale processes

affect bear phenotypes. Our analysis also revealed that bears in warmer climates are larger and grow

faster compared with bears in cooler climates. This trend may reflect the nutritional benefits of living in

warmer climates with higher productivity of herbaceous foods. Collectively, these results provide

insights into the environmental conditions that influence phenotypic traits, which in turn may help

predict the consequences of environmental change on wildlife.

Burgar J.1, J. Fisher, and C. Burton

1 Postdoctoral researcher, University of Victoria, Victoria BC, and University of British Columbia,

Vancouver BC, [email protected]

Evaluating camera trap surveys as an effective means of monitoring remote ungulate populations.

Camera trap surveys are increasingly being used for wildlife monitoring but their effectiveness at

monitoring remote ungulate populations has yet to be determined. To do so we are conducting a multi-

year camera trap study within a caribou range affected by wildfire and anthropogenic disturbance. We

deployed 58 cameras using a 2 factorial design: in/out of wildfire; on/off seismic lines. Half the cameras

were deployed the first field year and the remaining the second field year. We are estimating the

densities of boreal woodland caribou (Rangifertarandus caribou) and moose (Alcesalces) using

hierarchical Bayesian spatial models. Preliminary results suggest inter-annual variability and spatial

segregation of ungulates within the study area. We estimated caribou density using spatial mark-resight

models across three temporal periods and found estimates were similar, with slightly higher densities

during the winter and lower densities during the pre-calving periods. We used spatial count models to

estimate moose densities during the summer period; our estimates were comparable to provincial

estimates. Camera trap surveys can be an effective tool to monitor remote populations, producing

density estimates similar to other survey methods, with the added benefits of capturing inter-annual

variability in density, space-use, and surveying the broader boreal mammal community.

Button T.1

1Ecosystem Information Specialist, BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, and

Provincial Cumulative Effects Framework Moose Value Team Lead, Victoria BC, [email protected]

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Interim Assessment Protocol for Moose – Assessing and Managing Cumulative Effects in British

Columbia.

Moose are one of five high-value resources identified for provincial assessment under British Columbia’s

(B.C.) Cumulative Effects Framework (CEF). Moose are a high priority species for the Province, which

has legal authority for its conservation and management. The importance of this species is reflected in

the objectives established for moose through legislation, regulation, and policy. Moose are a

conspicuous and iconic part of British Columbia’s fauna that have environmental, economic, social and

cultural importance. Moose are a wide-ranging species that depend upon multiple, well-connected and

functioning habitat with properly functioning ecosystem processes. As such, moose are susceptible to

cumulative impacts on their habitat and their populations from extensive land use activities and

disturbances. As a species that can tolerate, and may even benefit from, some human activities on the

landscape, moose-human interactions are common and complex. The purpose of the interim protocol is

to provide a standardized, transparent and repeatable method for evaluating cumulative effects on

moose across the province of B.C. The protocol consists of two assessment components: 1) habitat, and

2) population. Results from the assessment provide a systematic and comprehensive approach to

describing, rating, and estimating risk that will assist in guiding and informing strategic responses to

moose management in B.C. It is expected that results from a regional review and validation process will

potentially clarify, standardize and improve the interim protocol.

Carson S.1

11079 Raymer Ave, Kelowna [email protected]

A Career as a Wildlife Biologist or Zoologist- Why me?

As a teenager about to graduate high school and make my plunge into adulthood, I am beginning to

experience the common thread of questions about what I plan to do after high school. Up until this year,

I tended to question what career path I wanted to take based on my personal goals and what I believe I

can accomplish. It was not until I became involved in higher level science classes, like biology, that I

found a fascination with the surroundings that our Earth provides for us, especially the animals

contained in them. I recognized my affection towards animals and love for the outdoors to discover a

career path as a Wildlife Biologist or Zoologist. In my opinion, the advantages of working in such a field

are numerous. However, the one that stands out the most for me is the feeling of making a difference in

the fight for the protection of our world’s most beautiful species and explore the many mysteries each

one holds. That is the main reason I currently strive towards a more conservation-based job in this field.

I look forward to conversations with you all to solidify my choice.

Constantinou A.1

1 University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC,[email protected]

How do variable retention forest harvesting methods affect terrestrial mammals in interior BC?

Forest harvesting is part of the economic backbone of British Columbia, but the widespread use of

clearcutting can be problematic for wildlife. Terrestrial mammal species that depend on forest cover and

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structural diversity face a homogenized landscape after harvesting. In the face of increasing forest

disturbances and climate change, effects of natural resources harvesting on mammals must be

evaluated. Scientists and managers must collaborate to determine best practices for industry and

conservation of wildlife communities. Partial harvest methods may be the key to mitigating the effects

of clearcut harvesting on biodiversity and to combining ecological and economic goals in managed

landscapes. As part of ongoing MSc research, I will use wildlife camera traps and small mammal live

trapping to determine the effects of a gradient of four different forest harvesting treatments on

terrestrial mammal species: clearcut, 60% canopy retention, 30% canopy retention and seed tree

retention. The study areas also span a latitudinal gradient from the Kootenays to north-central BC,

which allows for analysis of variation in response to harvesting treatments across climates. This research

will impact forest management as it pertains to wildlife habitat across the province.

Eckert L.1, N. Ban, C. Owens, F. Moola, C. Darimont

1Doctoral Student, University of Victoria, Victoria BC,[email protected]

Indigenous Knowledge and Environmental Assessment in Canada – implications for wildlife

Large industrial projects often fragment wildlife habitat and increase human-caused mortality. These

impacts are common in Canada, despite formal Environmental Assessment (EA). EA, a western

environmental decision-making process, affects landscapes and human well-being via ruling on if and

how development proposals proceed. For millennia pre-colonization, and today, Indigenous peoples use

Indigenous Knowledge (IK) to inform environmental decision-making. Via observation and culturally-

transmitted learning, Indigenous peoples use IK to establish landscape-scale management strategies.

Scholarship has examined the interaction and tensions between these EA paradigms, often criticizing the

ability of EA to engage meaningfully with IK. In 2018, the Canadian government proposed Bill C-69 to

amend the 2012 EA Act. Addressing this opportunity, we explore obstacles at the interface of IK and EA

via a literature review and qualitative analyses. Our results identify obstacles to improving relationships

between IK and EA, some of which are surmountable (e.g. failures to engage in best practices, alongside

financial, temporal, and resource limitations, etc.), whereas others are substantial (e.g. knowledge

incompatibilities, histories and presence of colonization, asymmetry in power structures, etc.). Drawing

on this synthesis, we summarize recommendations towards authentic incorporation of IK into EA in

ways that support landscapes for wildlife alongside Indigenous rights and self-determination.

Field K.A.1, P. C. Paquet, K.Artelle, G. Proulx, R. K. Brook, C. T. Darimont

1MSc Student, University of Victoria, Victoria BC, andRaincoast Conservation Fellow, Sydney BC,

[email protected]

Publication reform to safeguard wildlife from researcher harm.

Despite abundant focus on responsible care of laboratory animals, we present an evidence-based

argument that inattention to the maltreatment of wildlife constitutes an ethical blind spot in

contemporary animal research. We begin by reviewing significant shortcomings in legal and institutional

oversight, arguing for the relatively rapid and transformational potential of editorial oversight at

journals in preventing harm to vertebrates studied in the field and outside the direct supervision of

institutions. Our analysis of 206 journals suggests that Animal Care (AC) policies are either absent (34%),

weak, incoherent, or neglected by researchers. Presence of AC guidelines was positively associated with

impact factor and animal welfare legislation in the country of origin, and negatively associated with

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open access status. Straightforward changes to animal care policies in journals could provide a practical,

effective, and rapidly imposed safeguard against unnecessary suffering. The ARROW (Animal Research:

Reporting on Wildlife) guidelines we propose here, coupled with strong enforcement, could result in

significant changes to how animals involved in wildlife research are treated. The research process would

also benefit. Sound science requires animal subjects to be physically, physiologically, and behaviorally

unharmed. Accordingly, publication of methods that contravenes animal welfare principles risks

perpetuating inhumane approaches and bad science.

Ford A.T.1, A. H. Ali, S. R. Colla, S. J. Cooke, C. T. Lamb, J. Pittman, D.Shiffman, and N. J Singh

1Assistant Professor, UBC-Okanagan, Kelowna BC,[email protected]

Averting harmful outcomes in conservation.

Conservation relies on cooperation among different interest groups and the effective and appropriate

use of evidence to make decisions that have positive outcomes for both people and biodiversity.

Negative outcomes are likely to occur when these two dimensions are ignored or misunderstood,

leading to direct harm to populations and indirectly to conservation via alienated partnerships, wasted

resources, confused public, and delegitimized evidence. We document case studies where a failed

appreciation for cooperation, evidence, or both have eroded efforts to conserve wildlife populations.

Averting harmful conservation requires greater adherence to processes that elevate the role of evidence

in decision making and that place collective, long-term benefits for biodiversity over the short-term

gains of individuals or groups.

Gillingham M.P1., and M. M. Mumma

1 Professor, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George BC, [email protected]

Determining factors that affect survival of Moose in Central British Columbia

Moose (Alcesalces) and their habitat are valued by many British Columbians and management actions

should be science-based. Over the last decade, some moose populations in interior BC have declined by

50–70% while others are stable or increasing. Declines coincided with mountain pine beetle

(Dendroctonusponderosae) outbreaks and related salvage harvesting and road building — landscape

changes that could influence the distribution and abundance of moose, predators and hunters. In 2013,

FLNRO initiated a 5-year, provincially coordinated program during which 446 cow moose were collared

across 6 study areas involving many partners. Mortalities (121) resulted from predation (wolf [42%],

bear [7%], cougar [4%], unknown [3%]), apparent starvation (14%), human harvest (13%), health-related

(6%), accidents (4%) and unknown causes (7%). We used selection of collared moose to identify

meaningful thresholds for moose response to time since burn and time since clearcutting. We are using

a survival modelling approach employing landscape, forest structure, and anthropogenic features to

identify key factors that affect moose survival. We are also contrasting habitat selection between cow

moose that lived and died during the study. When combined these analyses are identifying key

management levers for moose in central BC.

Harrower W.L.1,2 and T. S. Jung3,4

1 Research Associate, High-Country Wildlife Ltd. Brentwood Bay BC and University of British Columbia,

Vancouver BC,[email protected]

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Using expert knowledge to identify conservation outcomes and management options for wolverine

(Gulogulo)

In 2017 wolverine (Gulogulo) were listed in the federal Species at Risk Act as a species of Special Concern

across Canada. As such, a management plan that addresses threats to wolverine must be developed

within three years of legal listing. However, limited information exists to guide conservation or mitigate

human activities that affect wolverine. To address this knowledge gap we surveyed wolverine biologists,

managers and local users for their perspectives on wolverine population status, threats, and

recommended management actions. Participating scientists and resource managers believe climate

change is the greatest threat to local wolverine followed closely by habitat loss and disturbance from

recreationist. Changes in the duration and depth of the snowpack was identified as the single greatest

threat to wolverines and the alteration of harvest quotas and use of harvest reserves as the most effect

management tools. In contrast, local respondents, mostly trappers and indigenous people from the

Yukon see wolverine populations as stable and trappers as good stewards of the resource. Threats

identified by local people focus more on prey populations and habitat loss and were averse to changing

access to public lands or trapping regulations. Threats to wolverine populations are perceived as limited

to development and local in scope. Our surveys highlight a key difference in perceptions of threats and

solutions to wolverine management. Both groups list climate change as a key threat but differ in the

mechanism by which climate change will impact wolverine. Understanding the role of abiotic (snowpack

and temperature) and biotic (predators and prey) factors is key to determining what habitat

requirements and conservation actions will be most appropriate.

Henson L.1, N.Balkenhol, R.Gustas, M. Adams, A. Vik Stronen, B.VonHoldt, B. Koop, C. Darimont

1 [email protected]

Anthropogenic and landscape drivers of population genetic structure in grizzly bears on the central

coast of BC

Large-scale patterns of genetic variation can enable investigation into how well landscapes – in the deep

and recent past – have facilitated animal movement and mating. Among the potential drivers of

population genetic structure, historical human activities are rarely considered. Additionally, the

movements of large, wide-ranging carnivores are often thought to be influenced by only the most

disruptive of landscape features. In collaboration with five First Nations, we genotyped 22 microsatellite

loci from noninvasively collected hair samples of grizzly bears over a 23,500km2 area of the central coast

of British Columbia. We used the population genetics software STRUCTURE to characterize patterns of

genetic differentiation. Surprisingly, we identified three well-differentiated groups. To gain insight into

the role of potential drivers, we created resistance surfaces using Circuitscape, which incorporated past

and present human use and settlement patterns, in addition to disturbance and landscape barriers. We

assessed the explanatory power of these surfaces using Commonality Analysis. Water barriers and the

spatial demarcation of human language families contributed most to explained variation. The

identification of differentiated subpopulations and the factors that mediate this differentiation not only

provides insight into past and present ecological conditions but also management of populations into

the future.

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Jessen T.1,2 N. Ban3 , C. Darimont

1University of Victoria, Victoria, BC & Raincoast Conservation Foundation Sydney BC,

[email protected]

Contributions of Indigenous Knowledge to Wildlife Ecology and Evolution: synthesis, prospects, and

guidance

Incorporating diverse knowledge systems leads to richer understanding of wildlife ecology and

evolution, providing scholarly and applied value. Here we synthesize the growing body of work on the

contributions of Indigenous Knowledge (IK). IK is place-based knowledge accumulated

intergenerationally within a cultural context, often augmented with contemporary observations and

experiences. This potent source of information can provide insight into population trends, habitat use,

species interactions, population genetic structure, and more. Such insight emerges from long periods of

direct observation and interactions with wildlife (spanning generations) that offer new hypotheses and

unique information transmitted through oral history, spatially-explicit experiences, field work, and

interviews. We review the primary methods used to engage IK, highlighting complementarities and

differences with science. Despite the value of IK to wildlife science, researchers often lack training and

experience to engage with IK in a culturally-sensitive manner. Cultural sensitivity is warranted because

of past and present harms scientists impose(d) on Indigenous peoples and the potential for IK to be

subsumed inappropriately into western scientific- and management paradigms. Attending to these

promises and pitfalls, we offer illustrative examples from the literature, emergent properties from our

synthesis, and guiding principles to support respectful interaction between IK Holders and wildlife

scientists.

Keery L., M.Hebblewhite, K. Heuer, E. Merrill

1MSc Student, Royal Roads University, Victoria BC, [email protected]

Evaluating the impact of reintroduced bison in Banff National Park

Plains bison have been absent from Banff National Park (BNP) since its establishment. Reintroducing

bison to BNP is an important step to restore the full diversity of species and natural processes in the

Park’s ecosystem. The reintroduction of a dominant ungulate is expected to have a significant impact on

the ecosystem through grazing and physical disturbance. My research assessed what impact

reintroduced bison had in the 18 ha soft-release pasture system. I examined a) bison diet in relation to

forage availability b) forage selection patterns and c) how bison select for and use different landcover

types. I also monitored the impact bison had on vegetation using a before-after control impact (BACI)

experimental design. Data were collected in 2016 and 2017, before and after the bison were

reintroduced. When bison grazed naturally, grasses consisted of 87% of their diet with forbs

representing a minor component of their diet (0.4%). Consistent browsing on shrubs was observed

throughout the year, comprising 12% of bison diet. Browsing consisted primarily of Salix spp (7%) with

minimal browsing observed on other shrub species. The results of this study will help Parks Canada

managers develop monitoring programs and anticipate bison grazing impacts when the bison are free

roaming.

18

Kroc E.1, L. K. Blight, W. Cao

1Research Associate, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC, [email protected]

The Urban Bird: Promoting and Protecting Urban Nesters, Migrants, and Residents

Violet-green Swallows migrate from Central America to breed in the wood siding of city structures.

White-crowned Sparrows winter in BC and come to nest in the bushes beside our bus stops. Great Blue

Herons and Bald Eagles nest in our city parks, Pelagic and Double-crested Cormorants nest beneath our

bridges, and Glaucous-winged Gulls live year-round and nest atop our rooftops. Whether they occur in

native habitat or the city, birds and their nests are protected by law. Each of these examples (and

others) speak to the need to develop ecologically responsible building codes, construction schedules,

and city bylaws. There is also a need to educate both the general public and local governments about

how our avian neighbours use our cities. We use recent and ongoing research in Vancouver and Victoria,

to explore the urban life of these species and make recommendations about what can be done to

protect and promote their urban populations while minimizing human-wildlife conflict. As some of these

species face the loss of their traditional habitats (notably, many waterbirds of coastal southwest BC), the

need to study and protect their habitats in the urban environment is an urgent one.

Lamb C.T.,A. T. Ford, M. F. Proctor, J. A. Royle, G. Mowat, and S. Boutin

1 Doctoral Candidate, University of Alberta, Edmonton, [email protected]

Genetic tagging in the Anthropocene: scaling ecology from alleles to ecosystems.

The Anthropocene is an era of marked human impact on the world. Quantifying these impacts has

become central to understanding the dynamics of coupled human-natural systems, resource-dependent

livelihoods, and biodiversity conservation. Ecologists are facing growing pressure to quantify the size,

distribution, and trajectory of wild populations in a cost-effective and socially-acceptable manner.

Genetic tagging, combined with modern computational and genetic analyses, is an under-utilized tool to

meet this demand, especially for wide-ranging, elusive, sensitive, and low-density species. Genetic

tagging studies are now revealing unprecedented insight into the mechanisms that control the density,

trajectory, connectivity and patterns of human-wildlife conflict for populations over vast spatial scales.

Here we outline the application of, and ecological inferences from, new analytical techniques applied to

genetically-tagged individuals, contrast this approach with conventional methods, and describe how

genetic tagging can be better applied to address outstanding questions in ecology. We provide example

analyses using a long-term genetic tagging dataset of grizzly bears in the Canadian Rockies. The genetic

tagging toolbox is a powerful and overlooked ensemble that ecologists and conservation biologists can

leverage to generate evidence and meet the challenges of the Anthropocene.

Majid S.

1 and A. T. Ford1

1MSc. Student, University of British Columbia Okanagan, [email protected]

The movement ecology of infection risk for California bighorn sheep (Oviscanadensiscalifornia) in the

South Okanagan, British Columbia.

19

Parasites influence animal behavior, population dynamics, and ecosystem processes. Parasite

transmission is tied to the host animal’s movement, which is influenced by changes in the landscape. In

the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, California bighorn sheep (Oviscanadensiscalifornia)

populations have declined by 60% following an infestation of Psoroptisovis mites in 2011. The mites are

transmitted through individuals and the environment, leading to debilitating skin diseases. Mite

infection is currently contained to a sheep subpopulation in the west side of the valley due to landscape

barriers, but transmission risk to the east subpopulation is a significant concern. We will be conducting

two analyses: habitat connectivity and landscape change scenario simulation. Using GPS tracking data of

75 sheep from 2015 – 2019 (45 west- infected; 30 east-uninfected), we will compare habitat selection

and identify areas of contact risk between infected and uninfected subpopulations. The habitat selection

data will populate an agent-based model simulating the spread of mite infection under different

landscape change scenarios: increased connectivity (i.e., wildlife overpass) and new infection point

sources (i.e., domestic sheep operations). Understanding the link between connectivity and disease

exposure will help wildlife managers design effective mitigation measures, critical for conserving sheep

populations in the future.

Mancuso K. 1, M. Bezener, K. E. Hodges, C. A. Bishop

1 The University of British Columbia Okanagan, [email protected]

Migration and Overwintering Locations for Yellow-breasted Chats Breeding in the South Okanagan

Valley of British Columbia.

Western Yellow-breasted Chats (Icteriavirensauricollis) are a species at risk the northern limit of their

breeding range in the dry interior of the south Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. This small

population is listed as Endangered in Canada due to historic loss and fragmentation of their lowland

riparian nesting habitat. To further understand the movement patterns of this population, we deployed

individual tracking devices on the backs of adult male birds to determine their migration route and

overwintering areas. Results to date show British Columbia chats follow the Pacific flyway enroute to

wintering areas in western Mexico. Our project will compare these results with those from chats

breeding in northern Calififrnia. Additional research in progress on this population (and more southerly

populations) include an examination of stress levels and heavy metal contamination. A better

understanding of the range-wide ecology and potential threats to this Endangered peripheral breeding

population will help guide conservation efforts to ensure long-term population viability.

Martinez-Nunez, F.1, C. Palmer, K. Routledge

1 Hemmera Burnaby, [email protected]

Presence of Little Brown Myotis(Myotislucifugus) Positively Associated with Trees and Negatively

Associated with Artificial Light within Waterfront Sites in Metro Vancouver.

Anthropogenic activities can influence bat presence and distribution. We assessed the influence of

human development and activity levels (artificial light and noise) on little brown myotis

(Myotislucifugus), a bat species listed as Endangered under the Canadian Species at Risk Act. We

surveyed 14 sites adjacent to freshwater (Fraser River) and marine (Burrard Inlet) environments within

Metro Vancouver to examine these factors. We selected sites along a gradient of habitat disturbance

20

and anthropogenic activity levels (e.g., modified vegetation, light, noise). Time-constrained (15 minute)

nocturnal surveys were conducted at each site using an Echo Meter Touch microphone and sound and

light meters over three nights in each of July and September 2016. Little brown myotis was the most

prevalent and widely distributed bat across the study area with detections recorded at 11/14 sites

(79%). Stepwise regression models (GLM) found little brown myotis presence was positively associated

with trees (>20 cm DBH) and negatively associated with ambient light.Little brown myotis was detected

more often within fresh water than marine sites and was detected more frequently during July surveys

(i.e., maternity period) as compared to September(i.e., migration/pre-hibernation period). Noise levels

were not significantly related to the presence of little brown myotis.

Meineke J.K.

1, K. E. Hodges, and F. I. Doyle

1University of British Columbia [email protected]

Effects of biosolids on vole population ecology and the raptor and owl community.

Grasslands around the world are becoming degraded due to human causes. In North America’s interior

Pacific Northwest, more than 90% of semi-arid grasslands are in need of restoration. In British Columbia,

grasslands cover only about 1% of the landmass, yet 20% of species listed as “at risk” of extinction in

British Columbia occupy grasslands. Grassland restoration is therefore important to managing imperiled

species. Biosolids (post-treatment sewage) are being used to restore grasslands in some areas. These

grasslands appear to support high densities of insects and small mammal prey, potentially enhancing

predator populations of owls and raptors. To further this research, I will be studying vole populations at

the OK Ranch, a cattle ranch near Clinton, British Columbia. I will quantify differences in vole

populations on untreated pastures and pastures with biosolids applied. I will also study raptor and owl

populations at the ranch, specifically comparing the diets of different species in a biosolids-influenced

ecosystem. This research will expand our knowledge about how biosolids can be used in ecological

restoration and wildlife conservation. Through this project, I am hoping to discover if biosolids can be

used to help restore wildlife populations on degraded grasslands.

Mihalik I.

1, A. W. Bateman, and C. T. Darimont

1 [email protected]

Big game hunters pay more to target larger-bodied carnivores: insight from costly signalling theory.

Human hunters often target species that require resource investment disproportionate to associated

nutritional rewards. Costly signalling theory may provide an explanation if human hunters target species

that impose high costs, thereby signalling to potential mates or competitors the underlying physical and

cognitive qualities that permit the hunters to absorb such costly behaviour. If costly signalling is relevant

to contemporary hunters, and if prices for guided hunts reflect desirability, we would expect hunters to

pay more to hunt taxa with higher associated costs (e.g. high failure risk, risk of injury). Accordingly, we

hypothesized that prices would be higher for taxa that are larger-bodied, rarer, carnivorous, or

described as dangerous or difficult to hunt. In a data set on 721 guided hunts for fifteen North American

big-game species, prices listed on the internet increased with body size (from approximately $550

USD/day to $1800 USD/day across the observed range of body mass) in carnivores. We did not find a

signal of rarity or perceived danger or difficulty. If larger-bodied carnivores are generally more desirable

21

to hunters due to perceived benefits of costly signalling, then conservation and management strategies

should consider not only the ecology of the hunted but also the motivations of hunters.

Mowat, G.

1, A. P. Clevenger, A. Kortello, D. Hausleitner, M. Barrueto, L. Smit, C. Lamb, B. Dorsey, and P.

K. Ott.

1Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, Nelson BC.

[email protected]

The sustainability of wolverine trapping mortality in southern Canada

There is considerable conservation concern for wolverines throughout their range in North America.

Previous researchers used population models and observed estimates of survival and reproduction to

infer that current trapping rates strongly limit population growth, except perhaps in the far north where

kill rates appear lower. Assessing the sustainability of trapping empirically requires both demographic

and abundance data which are expensive to acquire and hence usually only achievable for small

populations which makes generalization risky. We surveyed wolverines over a large area of southern

British Columbia (BC) and Alberta and used spatial capture-recapture models (secr) to estimate density

and then calculated trapping kill rates using provincial fur harvest data. Wolverine density

averaged2/1000 km2 and was positively related to spring snow cover and negatively related to road

density. Observed annual trapping mortality was >8.4%/year. This level of mortality is unlikely to be

sustainable except in rare cased where movement rates are high among sub-populations and sizable un-

trapped refuges exist. Our results suggest current conservation risk to wolverine is high because our

study area was fragmented by both human and natural barriers and few large refuges exist. We

recommend wolverine mortality be reduced by at least 50% throughout southern BC and Alberta to

reduce conservation risk and promote population recovery. Uncertainty in the trapping data created

considerable conservation risk and we suggest BC and Alberta adopt a more certain mortality recording

system for this species.

Naidoo R.1 and C. Burton

1 World Wildlife Fund and University of British Columbia,[email protected]

Recreational impacts on wildlife in the South Chilcotin Mountains, BC

The South Chilcotin Mountains Provincial Park and adjacent areas are notable for their diversity of large

wildlife species, including predators such as grizzly bear, wolverine, and cougar, and large ungulates

such as moose, mule deer, and mountain goat. Industrial activities like logging and mining have long

operated on the landscape, while more recently, recreational activities, particularly mountain biking,

have increased. The relative impacts of industrial versus recreational activities remain largely unknown,

which hinders development of management plans that account for cumulative impacts on wildlife.

Here, we use camera traps (n=61) and statistical analyses to untangle the relative contributions of land-

use/land cover and recreational activities on several large wildlife species in the South Chilcotins.

Cameras operated from May-September 2018, recording use of trails and logging roads by wildlife and

people. We developed spatial data layers that reflected land-use and habitat covariates at and around

camera traps. We used occupancy analyses to show that some species, such as grizzly bears, were more

sensitive to human recreational activities than to land-use type, while others, such as mule deer and

22

black bear, showed the opposite pattern. Our results can help park and resource managers balance the

needs of people and wildlife in this region.

Proctor, M.1, W. Kasworm, G.MacHutchon, G.Sanders, J. Barber, C. Lamb, N. Newhouse, H. Locke, C.

Servheen

Re-establishing functional connectivity in a threatened BC grizzly bear population

1 Trans-border Grizzly Bear Project, PO Box 606 Kalso, BC, V0G 1M0, CANADA, [email protected]

Recovering threatened wildlife populations and reversing population fragmentation are 2 conservation

goals that are pressing but elusive. We have been researching conservation issues and implementing a

comprehensive program to recover several small isolated and threatened populations of grizzly bears

for over a decade in the trans-border region of southern Canada and NW USA. We found conflict-related

mortality significantly contributed to their threatened status by causing population declines,

fragmentation, and decreased habitat effectiveness. Our conservation program included strategic

private land purchases to reduce human densities in wildlife corridors, efforts to secure bear attractants,

and non-lethal management of conflict bears and more. We radio collar and use non-lethal

management on potential conflict bears and have a ~84% success rate on females. We identified the

most important backcountry foraging habitats for protection with motorized access controls to reduce

conflicts and mortality and provide habitat security to reproductive females. The composite effects of

working across these arenas has resulted in a significant reduction in human-caused mortality and

increased connectivity, habitat effectiveness, and reproduction resulting in an improved conservation

status of several now-recovering threatened populations. Several challenges remain including a plethora

of offspring from females living adjacent to agricultural areas.

Ramsay L.R.1

1 Zoologist, Conservation Data Centre, Victoria BC, [email protected]

Conservation Status Assessments 101 (or Lists, Bloody Lists)

Have you ever wondered how something gets labelled Red, Blue, Imperilled, Endangered, S3, Yellow,

Secure or any other of the many descriptors for the status of wildlife and ecosystems in British

Columbia? Wonder no more. I will go through the criteria and method that has been adopted by the B.C.

Conservation Data Centre to assess species and ecosystems in B.C.. This method was developed through

NatureServe and is used across North and Latin America. We have been using versions in B.C. since 1991

and the latest iteration since 2012. It is also used to complete the General Status assessments across

Canada. There are methodological and criteria overlaps with IUCN and COSEWIC, the other big

assessment names that will be touched on. A complete assessment relies on data from many sources

that is as current as possible. Having the connections open and identified with people working on the

ground in many capacities is important.

Riordan-Short E.1

23

1University of British Columbia– Okanagan, Kelowna BC, [email protected]

Wildlife Photography, Citizen-Science, and You.

Recent technological innovations, particularly widespread access to high-resolution cameras and online

species databases like eBird and iNaturalist, have facilitated the generation of massive open data

collections. The increasing popularity of these platforms among recreational users gives them potential

to be an effective tool for wildlife education, outreach, and data collection. The scientific value of

citizen-generated data has been a divisive topic of discussion, but ongoing developments in data

validation and management continue to advance citizen-science as an inclusive and innovative approach

to wildlife data and community-driven questions. This approach necessitates a discussion on collection

methods, data quality, and wildlife ethics.

St. Clair C.T.

1, J. Hobbs, J. Randall

1 Hemmera,Burnaby, [email protected]

Challenges and Insights in Assessing Long-term Population Trends of Coastal Western Screech-owl

(Megascopskennicottiikennicottii).

Monitoring population trends is challenging and requires cooperation among stake-holders, particularly

for rare and difficult to detect species. The coastal subspecies of western screech owl

(Megascopskennicottii[WSOW]) appeared to be declining in British Columbia; however, lacking a long-

term monitoring plan, this was difficult to confirm. We compiled existing records for WSOW from

government, industry, and independently funded efforts and used occupancy modeling to assess

historical population trends and provide recommendations for long-term monitoring. Results suggest

that WSOW populations had declined substantially since 2000, particularly between 2005 and 2008.

Estimates of current occupancy and detection probability within suitable habitat were low (10-20% and

30-40%, respectively). Consequently, we determined that the effort necessary to detect long-term

trends was not likely feasible. Alternative objectives for future monitoring were recommended: modest

survey efforts where historical data is available for comparison; surveys in habitats with the potential to

support healthier WSOW populations (e.g., Hypermaritime, low productivity, mature forests). Follow-up

surveys within such habitat in northern and western Vancouver Island found much higher occupancy

rates (36-92%: MFLNRO, B. Schroeder, G. Monty). These results provide preliminary indications that, in

some areas, healthier populations of WSOW may persist and provide new opportunities for long-term

monitoring within BC.

Sunter, E.J.1 and A.T. Ford

1University of British ColumbiaOkanagan Kelowna BC, [email protected]

New directions in human-carnivore coexistence research

In landscapes where carnivore persistence is a management objective, coexistence may mean that

human-carnivore interactions are not always preventable. Past research has largely focused on conflict

interactions, leaving a significant knowledge gap in our understanding of coexistence beyond conflict. I

will discuss this knowledge gap and explain how analysing the distribution of incidents (i.e., conflict;

physical attacks, property damage, carnivore consumption of human food) and sightings (i.e., animal,

24

property, and person remain unharmed) together can provide novel insights into coexistence. I will use

research on humanbear interactions from Alberta’s Bow Valley as a case study to support this concept. I

will also address the collaborative opportunities between agencies responsible for collecting

humancarnivore interaction records, where current policies support this concept, and where we can

improve data collection to shape stronger policies that will better prevent incidents from occurring.

Symes S.1 and K.W. Larsen

1Department of Natural Resource Sciences, Thompson Rivers [email protected]

Using winter space use of the North American badger (Taxideataxusjeffersonii) to guide spatial and

temporal avoidance measures.

Wildlife managers and biologists often must make important conservation decisions in the face of

limited data. For example, spatial and temporal avoidance measures (e.g. buffers or setbacks) are used

to protect important or at-risk wildlife features (e.g. residences) from development impacts. Although

these should be based upon sound science, guidance for their establishment often appear to be

arbitrary or at least without robust justification. In the case of the North American badger

(Taxideataxusjeffersonii), a federally-listed endangered species, guidance for spatial avoidance of

burrows is not readily available and varies between jurisdictions. Moreover, setbacks do not appear to

be based on empirical evidence. In winter, badgers reduce movements and increase residence time

within key burrows where they undergo bouts of torpor. Disturbance during this season may be more

critical to avoid than during summer when badgers are more active and burrow use is more transitory.

We highlight past research on 1) differentiating winter and summer burrows and 2) winter movements

of this species. These data can be used as a starting point to guide setback establishment from

important winter burrows.

Tattersall E.1, J.Burgar, J.Fisher, and C. Burton

1 MSc Student, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC,[email protected]

Seismic consequences: Large mammal community dynamics on a boreal working landscape.

Amidst ongoing human landscape change, a critical question for ecologists is how the effects of

disturbances propagate throughout ecological hierarchies. Using camera traps deployed in northern

Alberta – a boreal working landscape transformed by industrial development – we investigated how

large boreal mammals respond to human landscape change at both the population and the community

level. First, we examined seismic line use by caribou, caribou predators, and caribou competitors in

response to seismic line restoration. We found that white-tailed deer decrease line use with restoration,

wolves increase use of lines accessible to humans, and that caribou prefer seismic lines in lowland

habitat regardless of line type. Next, we explored whether interspecific interactions affected

occurrences of black bears, coyotes, and lynx on the working landscape. All three species showed

positive associations with wolves on at least one spatiotemporal level of analysis, suggesting facilitative

interactions between apex and non-apex predators. These results show how human landscape change

influences species’ use of the working landscape, and how those responses can trigger subsequent

25

responses at the community level. Ultimately, this research highlights important considerations for

mitigating effects of landscape change on wildlife at the community level.

Uduman A.1, Cole Burton, Shannon Hagerman, Andrew Kittle

1MSc Student, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC,[email protected]

Investigating ecological and social dimensions of leopard-livestock conflict in Sri Lanka.

How do we balance economic development and poverty alleviation while allowing for coexistence with

species competing with humans for habitat and potential prey? Human-wildlife conflict, particularly

livestock depredation, occurs globally; here in B.C. and also 13,000km away in Sri Lanka, where conflict

between cattle herders and the endangered Sri Lankan leopard is escalating. Understanding the complex

interactions between large carnivores and livestock farming communities means addressing both the

social and ecological dimensions. I will present the in-progress modeling results of ecological predictor

variables and their relative influence on resulting conflict, and thus the conditions under which conflict is

more likely to occur. Social surveys which measured attitudes towards a) leopards, and b) willingness to

adopt mitigating techniques will be modelled against predictor variables (e.g. socio-demographics, costs,

knowledge, experience) in subsequent analyses. Local contexts vary greatly, and though Sri Lanka is

geographically distant from B.C., the interdisciplinary approaches taken to address this multi-faceted

issue to inform the prioritization of limited conservation resources is relevant beyond the island nation’s

borders. Building connections, a theme of this conference, is also a necessary theme of human-wildlife

conflict research, which requires greater knowledge sharing and collaboration between local

communities, governments, academics and private sectors.

vanBommel J.V.1 and C. Burton1

1 UBC Vancouver Faculty of Forestry, Department of Forest Resources Management, Forest Sciences

Centre 2215, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4,

Assessing predictors of human-carnivore conflict on Southern Vancouver Island

A major threat to carnivores is death due to human conflict. Specifically, conflict regarding human safety

or livelihoods, such as over agricultural crops or livestock, garbage, or property damage, leading to

reactive mitigation. This is an increasing issue for Southern Vancouver Island due to rapidly sprawling

human development and high concentrations of cougars (Puma concolor), black bears

(Ursusamericanus) and grey wolves (Canis lupus). To reduce human-carnivore conflicts and promote

coexistence with carnivores, it is critical to have reliable evidence documenting where conflict is

occurring to target proactive mitigations efficiently. I will be showcasing the preliminary results of my

project which tackles this objective at two spatial scales: the entire Capital Regional District (CRD)

around Victoria where I am developing spatial models to map CRD residents’ reports of interactions with

carnivores and test anthropogenic and environmental predictors of conflict. And the municipality with

the highest occurrence of conflict, Sooke, where I have deployed a camera trap array to discover where

black bears are spending their time in a gradient of human development from urban to wild. This

research will determine where carnivores are selecting human environments and the relationship

between habitat use and the level of conflict an area experiences.

Weir R

1., W.L. Harrower2, K.L. Pilgrim3, M. K. Schwartz3

26

1 Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy: Ecosystems Branch. BC. [email protected]

Identifying functional populations of fishers and wolverines for conservation and management.

Fishers (Pekaniapennanti) and wolverines (Gulogulo) are wide-ranging, valuable furbearers of

conservation concern in British Columbia, Canada that occur at low densities that preclude management

of populations by individual trappers. Information on the structure and extent of populations is needed

to ensure that harvests are biologically sustainable. We used information from mitochondrial and

nuclear DNA of 553 fishers and 241 wolverines collected from throughout British Columbia from 1995 to

2017 to examine genetic structure and diversity for each species. We used assignment tests to evaluate

the extent of population structure, identify population clusters and delineate functional populations. We

identified considerable population structure in both fishers and wolverines in British Columbia.

Microsatellite data suggests up to 9 populations of fisher in the province. Wolverines showed less

structure especially in northern British Columbia, but cluster analysis still suggested up to 4 functional

populations occurring in the province. This new information will help trappers better understand the

scope and scale of the populations of fishers and wolverines from which they harvest, and provide data

needed by management agencies to identify population units, evaluate the spatial distribution of

threats, and better assess the viability of each species in the province.

Werner J.R.1 and K. Parker

1Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations, Prince George

BC,[email protected]

Where should a hungry moose eat? Habitat-specific protein limitation in managed landscapes.

Many mature forests in north-central BC are being rapidly converted to early seral plantation.

Concomitant declines in some regional moose densities, coupled with observations of apparent

starvation from collared females, suggest that bottom-up factors influence populations even in systems

with predators. We quantified the nutritional value of moose food plants in relation to solar

environments associated with mature understory forest and recently logged clearings. Concentrations of

digestible protein in Willow (Salix bebbiana), Red Osier dogwood (Cornusstolonifera), Fireweed

(Epilobiumangustifolium), Subalpine Fir (Abieslasiocarpa), and Birch (Betulapapyrifera) generally

declined in large openings compared to cut-block edges and forest understories. Habitat-specific

allocation of anti-herbivory defenses in plants (tannins and secondary compounds) depending on solar

radiation loads may render the available protein in some plant species below the maintenance

requirements for moose.

Wright C.1, S. Gilbert, C. McLean, C. Procter, A.Walker, J. Zeman, A.Ford

1University of British Columbia – Okanagan, Kelowna, BC, [email protected]

Linking behavior, demography, and environmental change in mule deer populations in southern

British Columbia.

27

Mule deer (Odocoileushemionus; hereafter deer) populations in southern British Columbia (BC) are

suspected to be declining, with hunter harvest in the Boundary region having decreased by 85% in the

last 25 years. The causes of this decline are not clear due to multiple, simultaneous changes in the

landscape including increasing predator densities, human development, and competition with other

ungulates. Furthermore, after decades of fire suppression over 2.5 million ha burned in BC in the last

two years. Fires can create nutritionally-rich forage for deer and thin vegetation, which can increase

deer survival. To help disentangle which mechanisms are driving deer populations in southern BC, we

began a large-scale, collaborative research project in March 2018 with a goal of deploying 270 global

positioning system (GPS) collars on deer in 3 study areas (Bonaparte Plateau, West Okanagan, and

Boundary regions). Here we provide some preliminary findings from the past year. We have deployed 87

collars on adult females and 32 collars on fawns, with 10 mortality events thus far. We found 92% of

yearling and adult females were pregnant, with at least 63% carrying twins. Of the 64 deer collared

during spring and fall we observed 50 deer make migratory movements.

Yaeger J.S.1, R. D. Weir ,P.L.Almuedo, F.Corbould, L.Davis, I. Hansen, E.C. Lofroth , M. Phinney , and K.

Sutherland

1British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural

Development: Species at Risk Recovery Branch, Victoria BC, [email protected]

Who is using YOUR science? Targeting decision-makers to conserve fisher habitat across

British Columbia.

Forest management has the single largest anthropogenic effect on the sustainability of fisher

populations in British Columbia (BC), Canada. Many opportunities exist during all phases of

forest management to incorporate decisions that may reduce the negative effects of this activity

on the supply of habitat for fishers. Initiated in 2009, the BC Fisher Habitat Extension Program

provides tools and training developed to specifically address decisions made by various “Habitat

Influencers” who affect the supply of fisher habitat. Program biologists converted the best

available science from 25 years of research into user-specific products with a goal of achieving

better-informed management decisions. We have provided training to forest licensees and

contractors across more than 60% of the range of fishers in BC, targeting the 10 Natural

Resource Districts that account for a majority of provincial timber production. Three of these

districts now require relevant decision-makers to show evidence of how they intend to achieve

fisher habitat targets as identified in the BC Fisher and Forestry Web Module

(www.bcfisherhabitat.ca).

Zeman J.1

1British Columbia Wildlife Federation, Surrey BC, [email protected]>

Managing to Zero: The Future of Fish and Wildlife in BC

Funding shortfalls for fish and wildlife management agencies across North America is a recurring and

growing issue; British Columbia is no exception. Wildlife management activities supported by the

provincial government compete with ever increasing costs for available resources. While most

28

jurisdictions have dedicated funding for fish and wildlife management in British Columbia does not.

Given its size and diversity British Columbia has one of the most under-funded fish and wildlife

management agencies in North America. We will discuss the fundamentals of fish and wildlife

management, as well as potential solutions for improving conservation outcomes and fish and wildlife

management

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Poster Presentations

Kanya, J.1 and S. Warriner

1 City of Coquitlam: Environmental Services Division, Coquitlam BC. [email protected]

Education & Bylaw Enforcement to Reduce Human-Bear Conflict – Review of the City of Coquitlam’s

Urban Wildlife Program

Since establishing a seasonal Bear Aware Program in 2005, the City of Coquitlam has initiated wide-ranging measures to reduce human-bear conflict. The program has since evolved to be year-round and targets the full range of wildlife found within the community. The urban wildlife program traditionally focused on education to reduce human wildlife conflict rather than strict bylaw enforcement. However human-wildlife conflicts continued despite consistent education provided to the public. In response to growing levels of concern by the community, and following a high profile human-bear incident in 2016, the City significantly increased the frequency of patrols to enforce restrictions related to unsecured garbage and other attractants. Additionally innovative educational tools and extensive use of social media have been developed to ensure residents are aware of and supported in their efforts to secure attractants. The City has also undertaken extensive city-wide compliance audits in 2017, 2018 and 2019, which have allowed staff to focus on neighbourhoods of concern and monitor overall adherence to bear smart bylaws. The City now has an extensive dataset that clearly shows the City’s balance of outreach/education and bylaw enforcement have resulted in a significant and positive shift in residents’ behaviour with regards to managing wildlife attractants.

Kroc E.1

1 Research Associate, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC, [email protected]

It’s Time to Advocate for Federal Protections for Cormorants

Cormorants have a unique and unfortunate history with humans in North America. Since the advent of

European colonization, cormorants have often been uniquely persecuted among piscivorous species due

to the combination of their feeding and nesting habits, and their high visibility. Double-crested

Cormorants were hunted and poisoned (intentionally or incidentally) to drastically low population

numbers in the first half of the 20th Century, while Great, Pelagic, and Brandt’s Cormorants have had to

endure the consequences of habitat destruction, overfishing, and exploding marine traffic in our ocean

waters. After a short window of population rebounds in the 1980’s and 90’s, these birds are once again

in decline across Canada, and many face new threats in the form of government proposals - most

recently in Ontario - to institute hunting seasons with potentially catastrophic parameters. These birds

remain unprotected by federal law, making them especially vulnerable. Opportunities exist to

strengthen conservation efforts for these birds, particularly among those populations that live and nest

in urban environments, but the time to act is growing short. It’s time to push for better local and

broader federal protections for these beautiful and ecologically valuable species.

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Kroesen L. D Hik, and S. Cherry

Simon Fraser University, Burnaby BC, [email protected]

Goat Gatorade: How do Mineral Licks Define Mountain Goat Home Range?

All North American ungulate species deliberately ingest soil from mineral licks to obtain nutrients they

cannot acquire from regular forage. Mineral licks have a critical impact on fecundity, population

dynamics and survival of ungulates, yet, little is known about how mineral resources define home range

and affect movements patterns of individuals within a population. I will evaluate mineral licks as critical

‘resource hotspots’ for mountain goats (Oreamnosamericanus), an alpine ungulate that displays

extreme travel behaviour and high site fidelity to a limited number of licks. My research aims to answer

these questions: Do mineral licks constrain or extend mountain goat home range? What specific

minerals do mountain goats seek out at these licks and do their preferences change seasonally? My

research will capitalize on the high fidelity of mountain goats to licks by using individual based tracking

to measure mountain goat movements within their core home range. All research will be conducted in

collaboration with Parks Canada in Banff and Yoho National Parks, in the Rocky Mountains. Mineral licks

are a special habitat feature that is critical to maintaining the health of ungulate populations.

Incorporating mineral licks into landscape-level management planning is necessary, but first, it is

essential to know how and why ungulate species use them.

Lamont M.1, D. Hancock, D. Bird, J. Elliott, S. Lee, M.Seear, and R.Ydenberg

1The Hancock Wildlife Foundation, Surrey, BC, Canada and TerraFauna Wildlife Consulting, Inc.

[email protected]

Spring migration and movements of bald eagles (haliaeetusleucocephalus) wintering in south coastal

British Columbia.

A 36-year bounty program on Bald Eagles (Haliaeetusleucocephalus) existed in Alaska until 1953,

resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of birds. Since its cessation, there has been a

remarkable recovery in the number of Bald Eagles throughout the Pacific Northwest. The Fraser Valley in

British Columbia now harbours a large population of resident and non-resident Bald Eagles with

estimates of up to 35,000 birds passing through the region during spring and fall movements.

Additionally, concentrations as large as 10,000 birds congregate during peak salmon spawning periods

on the Lower Fraser River, representing the largest known gatherings for the species anywhere in North

America. There is limited information about the origins of this wintering population, how long they

remain in the area and to what degree, and how the broader western metapopulation, utilizes the

Fraser River for winter foraging opportunities. To date, limited telemetry data has been collected from

this region of the Pacific Northwest, particularly on wintering birds. We describe spring migration

chronology of adult and sub-adult Bald Eagles trapped and banded between February and March 2018

in Delta, B.C. as well as techniques used in the capture and deployment of GPS-GSM transmitters to

address some of these knowledge gaps. Preliminary results of spring movements including unexpected

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southern migrations prior to northern departure, near simultaneous northward migration from the

Fraser Valley and arrival on northern breeding grounds in Alaska, are discussed.

Lausen, C.L.1, J. Rae, C. Olson and J. Ray

Bat Conservation: Preparing British Columbia for the arrival of white-nose syndrome.

1 Wildlife Conservation Society Canada, PO Box 606, Kaslo, B.C. V0G 1M0, CANADA [email protected]

Wildlife Conservation Society Canada’s bat program takes a comprehensive and collaborative approach

to conservation in western Canada, with focus on preparing for the arrival of white-nose syndrome

(WNS): 1) Winter research and hibernation ecology; 2) North American Bat Monitoring Program

(NABat); 3) education, outreach and citizen science; and 4) mitigation tools, including the

implementation of a prophylaxis, and investigating the efficacy of bat houses. Our research over the

past decade in B.C. and Alberta has enhanced understanding of winter ecology and physiology, enabling

predictions of WNS vulnerability. In B.C, through multiple partnerships, we monitor ~50 NABat grid cells.

Our highly effective Alberta Community Bat (albertabats.ca) and BatCaver (BatCaver.org) programs have

identified and described roosts/hibernacula, setting the stage for WNS mitigation efforts. In a parallel

project we are working with partners to develop a WNS prophylaxis that could be applied in late

summer at bat boxes. However, it is unclear whether bat boxes are suitable for recovery/mitigation

efforts; our newest project is a critical evaluation of these structures, in light of recent published and

anecdotal records suggesting detrimental effects such as overheating. Our field efforts and contributions

from others will inform a Best Management Practices for their implementation across North America.

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Attachment 1: Conservation Affairs Committee Session: Establishing our Future Conservation Priorities Together

The BCTWS Conservation Affairs Committee identified three priority issues to help guide our work in BC over the coming year:

1. Assist wildlife professionals in engaging and working with Indigenous Peoples in wildlife conservation and management

a. More specifically, what is TWS’s position on First Nations rights over wildlife? b. Does TWS adopt the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights

on Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), as the British Columbian and Canadian governments have?

c. How can TWS be more inclusive of knowledge and values of Indigenous Peoples in wildlife management? What tools could they provide wildlife professionals in doing so?

d. For BCTWS more specifically, how can we be more inclusive of Indigenous Peoples in our organization, including the Conservation Affairs Committee?

2. Highlight the importance of climate change in wildlife conservation and management

a. Wildlife professionals need support and encouragement for including climate change in wildlife research and management

b. Climate change is often ignored in wildlife management, but the impacts of climate change on wildlife are likely to be highly significant; TWS can play a lead role in ensuring this message is delivered and by empowering wildlife professionals in incorporating climate change in their work

3. Provide guidance for assessing human-wildlife conflict across large-scales a. There is a lack of coordinated understanding of how human-wildlife conflict tools

can minimize conflicts b. Municipalities may or may not have bylaws, but they have not been

systematically documented and their effectiveness has not been tested c. There is a need to promote a ‘big picture’ look at this issue

The BCTWS Conservation Affairs Committee is interested in your thoughts and opinions on these issues. We are also always looking for new wildlife management and conservation issues that we can help promote or resolve.

Please consider the issues identified above, and others, that you would like to discuss at the Conservation Affairs Committee session of the inaugural BCTWS conference. This will be an opportunity to share ideas and shape the direction of the Conservation Affairs Committee in the coming year.

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