Den Monitoring

We began monitoring bear dens in our Southern Study Area starting in 1987, and this process continues today. Data collected includes den location, den type (e.g., in an anthill, tree, or in the soil or rocky outcropping), the dens dimensions, a description of the surrounding habitat, and any track and sign in the area. Scat samples are also collected. Thus, the SBBRP has collected a time series of data representing bear den-site selection over almost 40 years.