Virtual connection and support

ByRaincoast team Raincoast research
Scientist in black T shirt and pants and black cap wearing pale blue latex gloves holds palm of hand near trip wire. She gazes at it intently surrounded by lush bright green trees.
Photo by April Bencze/ Raincoast Conservation Foundation

With coronavirus affecting normalcy around the world, the Raincoast Lab at the University of Victoria is not going to be doing fieldwork this season, and instead will maintain virtual connection, support from afar.

Ilona Mihalik shared about the work the lab usually does in Heiltsuk territory.

To support decision-making by the Heiltsuk Nation, we monitor black and grizzly bears across 4,000km2 in Heiltsuk Territory. We set up and collect hair from snag sites each May and June, travelling by boat and helicopter.

How are bear numbers changing each year? How does salmon consumption by bears differ each year? How does changing salmon biomass over the years affect bear populations (health and numbers)?

Ilona Mihalik

You can learn more about her work with friends and colleagues at Raincoast and the Heiltsuk Nation.

Grizzly Bears
  • Close up of blue gloved scientists's hands manipulating a trip wire with bear sample caught in it
  • A male standing bent at the knees in black clothing and grey cap and a woman kneeling down in deep red clothing and black cap both wearing pale blue gloves inspect a trip wire with bear samples in a forest, trees and green leaves visible behind them
  • Close up of two tags with numbers and written information about samples hanging next to hair samples on a trip wire for bear research, with green leaves blurrily visible in the background forest

#grizzly #bear #conservationscience

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