A case history of grizzly bear management in the Slims River area, Kluane National Park Reserve, Yukon

A management planning program for Kluane National Park Reserve was completed in 1980. A major decision was made to develop a public transit system in the Slim River Area to facilitate visitor access to a large valley glacier. The transit system was not built and the valley was managed as a backcountry hiking area for an interim period. Characteristics of grizzly bear-people conflicts were monitored from 1981 to 1987. Park staff and 2,603 registered overnight backcountry users recorded 503 grizzly observations. Observations of solitary bears increased from 40% of total bear observations in 1981 to 84% in 1987. Frequency of avoidance behavior by grizzlies decreased whereas apparent neutral and approach behaviors increased. Incidents defined as serious were infrequent from 1981 to 1984 (n=3). Serious incidents sharply increased in 1985 (n=10) and continued to be relatively frequent in 1986 (n=6) and 1987 (n=9). Serious incidents were categorized as close approach or charge (n=10), pack robbing (n=8), food cache robbing (n=2) and disturbance of tent camps (n=4), facilities (n=3) and vehicles (n=1). Management actions resulted in the death of 5 grizzlies, relocation of 5 grizzlies and area closures. Our analysis of relevant documents from 3 national park planning and management processes indicated that grizzly bears were not adequately treated in plans and environmental assessments for the Slims River Area because of emphasis on the proposed public transit system. The relationship between habituation of grizzlies to people and food conditioning was not recognized in management of the Slims River Area as a wilderness hiking area. We considered national park management processes to be valid tools for grizzly management provided they are implemented by trained, knowledgeable staff that apply adequate information before making decisions.