Parsnip Grizzly Bear Project

Project Overview

The Parsnip Grizzly Bear Habitat Inventory Project was initiated in August 1997 to address increasing concerns about the grizzly bear population in the Central Interior of British Columbia. Habitat alteration, resource extraction, hunting pressure, bear-human conflicts and human access all affect the grizzly bear population in the region.

In order to adequately manage and conserve grizzly bears, information on population characteristics and habitat requirements are required for grizzly bears in this region.

Project Objectives

The overall objectives of the Parsnip Grizzly Bear Project are:

1. To determine the abundance and population status of grizzly bears within the study area. This included obtaining estimates of population density, reproductive rates, and mortality rates;
2. To identify micro and macro seasonal habitat-use patterns, seasonal movements, home range sizes, and diet; and
3. To evaluate and contribute to improvements of the current BC grizzly bear inventory methods.

For a overview of field methods, and preliminary results please visit the reports page.

Study Area

The projects study area extends from the city of Prince George, north to Mackenzie, and east into the Hart Ranges of the Rocky Mountains. It encompasses approximately 18,100 km² straddling the Parsnip River. The most intensive human use of the area is timber extraction. Recreational use varies seasonally between hunting, fishing, camping, and all-terrain vehicle use. Monkman Provincial Park is the closest protected area.

Click here for a biogoeclimatic ecosystem classification description of the study area.