Carnivore Connectivity in the Centennial Mountains

As the human population in Greater Yellowstone’s valleys increases, the region’s mountain chains are becoming the last linkage zones among core habitats for large carnivores. The Centennial Range along the Idaho-Montana border is one of the few east-west oriented mountain ranges in the area and may provide a critical connection for carnivores between Greater Yellowstone and the central Idaho wilderness areas. If functional, such a linkage could help prevent their isolation in Greater Yellowstone.  We are gathering information of large carnivore occurrence within the Centennials, and are working to improve wildlife connectivity between Greater Yellowstone and central Idaho.

The Human Aspect
From 1970 to 2000, the human population in Greater Yellowstone increased by 61%.  Much of this expansion, with its accompanying increase in the numbers of structures, roads and fences, is concentrated within the valleys.  These structures and associated human activities tend to sever migration and dispersal paths, and so isolate core habitats. 

Threats
To maintain healthy, genetically diverse populations, large carnivores must have the ability to move among protected core habitats. Consequently, safe corridors linking core habitats, such as those in Greater Yellowstone to those in the central Idaho wilderness regions, are essential to their survival.  The developing pattern of human activities and infrastructure is drastically reducing the number of such corridors.  Wildlife, especially large carnivores, are finding it increasingly more difficult and dangerous to move outside their sanctuaries.

WCS Activities

Although the geographical position and orientation of the Centennials suggests that they are an important corridor, there have been few on-the-ground studies of large carnivore use of the Centennials to substantiate their importance as such.  The goal of the WCS Centennial Carnivore Corridor project is first to collect information on large carnivore occurrence in the Centennial Range, and then to help collaboratively develop and implement sensible land-use and wildlife management strategies to enhance large carnivore use of the Centennials. To gather information on large carnivore occurrence within the Centennial Range, we have adopted a novel approach.  We are using search dogs specifically trained by the Working Dogs for Conservation Foundation to locate the scat of four large carnivore species: black bears, grizzly bears, cougars, and wolves.  Recent advances in molecular genetics make it possible not only to identify to which one of the four species a scat sample belongs but also the sex of the species member. 

Important Next Steps
• Use non-invasive DNA sampling to determine relative densities of carnivores, use
   of areas, and movement patterns.
• Identify potential bottlenecks for carnivores within the Centennials.
• Collect historical wildlife occurrence data, hunting and predator control records,
  and land-use records for the region.
• Collect information on conflicts and conflict areas between humans and wildlife,
  and work to resolve them.
• Work with public and private stakeholders to raise awareness of critical zones of
  connectivity in the Yellowstone area and recommend steps to preserve them.

Selected and representative publications (to receive a copy)


Peer-reviewed journal publications

Beckmann, J.P.  2006.  Carnivore conservation and search dogs: the value of a
     novel, non-invasive technique in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.  Pp. 28-34
     in A. Wondrak   Biel, ed., Greater Yellowstone Public Lands: a century of discovery,
     hard lessons, and bright prospects.  Proceedings of the 8th Biennial Scientific
     Conference on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. 
Totten, M., J. P. Beckmann, and S. Zack.  2006.  The human footprint and a
     lternative fuels (Title TBD).  In Eric W. Sanderson, Patricio Robles Gil, Cristina
     G. Mittermeier, Vance G. Martin, and Cyril F. Kormos eds., The Human
     Footprint: Challenges for Wilderness and Biodiversity.
Berger, J., K. Murray Berger, and J. P. Beckmann.  2006.  Wildlife and
     energy development: Pronghorn of the Upper Green River Basin – Year 1
     Summary.  Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, N.Y.
Williams, C., S. Breck, J. P. Beckmann, S. Matthews, C. W. Lackey, and  J.
     Beecham.  2006.  Investigating genetic relatedness and behavior in black
     bears. Submitted.
Beckmann, J. P., S. Matthews, Z. Smith, and C. Costello.  2006.  Human-Black
     Bear Conflicts in North America: Impacts of Human-altered Landscapes on Bear
     Populations, Techniques to Reduce Conflicts, and Human Attitudes (Title TBD). 
     WCS Working Papers: In Prep. 
Beckmann, J.P., and J. Berger.  2005.  Pronghorn hypersensitivity to avian
     scavengers following golden eagle predation.  Western North American
     Naturalist 65(1): 133-135. 
Beckmann, J. P., C. W. Lackey, and J. Berger.  2004.  Evaluation of deterrent
     techniques and dogs to alter behavior of ‘nuisance’ black bears (Ursus
     americanus).  Wildlife Society Bulletin 32(4): 1141-1146.
Beckmann, J. P., and C. W. Lackey.  2004.  Are desert basins effective barriers
     to movements of relocated black bears (Ursus americanus)?  Western North
     American Naturalist 64(2): 269-272.
Beckmann, J. P., and J. Berger.  2003.  Rapid ecological and behavioural changes
     in carnivores: the responses of black bears (Ursus americanus) to altered food.
     Journal of Zoology 261(2):207-212.
Beckmann, J. P., and J. Berger.  2003.  Using black bears (Ursus americanus)
     to test ideal-free distribution models experimentally.  Journal of Mammalogy
     84(2):594-606.
Johnson, J., J. P. Beckmann, and L. W. Oring.  2003.  Diurnal and nocturnal behavior of
     breeding American Avocets.  Wilson Bulletin 115(2): 176-185.

Press reports

The Wall Street Journal: “Scratch ‘n’ Sniff: special canine unit knows to nose scat—hot
     on the nature trail, pooches like Camas help solve animal riddles”.  23 September
     2006 (Lauren Etter).
Big Sky Journal, “Conservation Dogs.”  Summer 2006 Issue, pp. 152-160 (Charles Finn).
Conservation in Practice Vol. 6(2): 35-36.  Sniffing with precision: detection dogs push
     the limits of field-monitoring techniques. (Joshua Brown).
Fox News.com: “Bear cubs trapped in bear-proof dumpster.”  19 October 2006.
National Geographic News, “Photo in the news: bear cubs trapped while dumpster
     diving.”  23 October 2006 (Victoria Gilman).
The New York Times: “With carryout, bears find a life-changing experience.”
     (Cornelia Dean).  11 June 2005.
The Los Angeles Times: “Fatter than the average bear, thanks to junk food”.
     1 December 2003 (Julie Cart).
Associated Press News Wire: “Study: trash-eating bears at risk of death”.
     28 November 2003
National Geographic News: “Black bears efficiently adapt to city living, study
     says”.  26 November 2003 (John Roach).