111725

The Orphaned Grizzly Cub Rewilding Research Project (hereafter, Project Rewild) began in June 2020, and focuses on obtaining long-term data on the post-release survival of captive-reared grizzly bears. Project Rewild is a cooperative research project between the Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter (NLWS), the BC Government, and the Grizzly Bear Foundation (GBF) and has dedicated funding to 2026. Project Rewild works in conjunction with NLWS’s annual permits (#SM21-61682), which allows for the initial capture, captive-rearing, and release of orphaned grizzly bear COYS. Project Rewild holds a 2(c)(i), 2(k)(i) permit, and 3.1(1)(b)(c)(d) “for authorization to possess dead wildlife or wildlife parts for scientific purposes, to temporarily capture wildlife for scientific purposes,” and to conduct work from a helicopter or other aircraft (#VI22-689029). Specifically, I am applying for a Parks Research Permit to: - Release two Rewild female yearling grizzly bears via helicopter longline of two culvert traps used to release bears into the Upper Stein/Scudamore Valley area; - Conduct microsite (i.e., on ground accessed via helicopter, boat, and/or road) habitat investigations including the collection of biological samples at sites (e.g., hair in day beds or on mark trees; Project Rewild animal remains including pieces of body parts); - Collection of grizzly bear hair samples acquired from all sources including past releases, live recapture, mortality investigations (dead bears) and/or microsite habitat work on Project Rewild research bears only; - Collection of Project Rewild grizzly bear biological samples as required for necropsy and/or animal condition purposes and/or submission to the genetics lab (carcass in whole or parts); - Aerial tracking (helicopter or fixed wing) as required to ascertain bear health, collar fit and/or location of an animal; and, - Recaptures of Project Rewild research bears as required (depending on bear age and growth rates) to assess fitness, adjust collar fit and/or replace a GPS collar.