Jasper National Park officials are reporting the first signs of grizzly bear activity in the park, and warning hikers and cyclists to be alert on the trails.

“The grizzly bears are a little later than normal,” said Jasper National Park biologist Steve Malcolm. “We’re asking anybody who see’s one to call the visitor centre.”

Two weeks ago, Parks Canada learned of the first sighting of a grizzly on Maccarib Pass, which is accessible through Portal creek, near Marmot Basin ski hill. No identification markers were reported. Last week, Parks Resource Conservation officers reported grizzly track sightings.

Black bears sightings are also becoming more common.

Malcolm said at this time of year, grizzly bears rely on carrion as a food source, something hikers should be aware of.

“They are really aggressive protecting their food caches. People should be careful if they see or smell a carcass. They should also keep their dogs on leash, as they tend to find carcasses,” Malcolm said.

Jasper National Park will be conducting a grizzly bear count in 2010. Several remote cameras have been installed in the front and backcountry, and parks staff members are being asked to record all grizzly bear sightings. Wardens, resource conservation officers and the public are being asked to report all sightings, including telling details such as colouration, the presence of cubs, location, unusual markings or activity and the sex of the animal.

For years, Parks Canada has moved away from collaring bears, instead choosing less invasive techniques, such as infrared cameras. The infrared cameras in the backcountry will be downloaded between two and three times a season, while the frontcountry cameras will be downloaded about once a week.

Images of people captured on the cameras will be deleted.

A portion of Jasper National Park north of Highway 16 was included in the Foothills Research Institute’s grizzly bear study, conducted by Hinton-based biologist Gordon Stenhouse – a report that was comissioned by the province. Using DNA collected from hair samples to identify individual bears throughout various sections of the province, Stenhouse determined Alberta has 691 grizzly bears - 363 of which are breeding age - most of which are being pushed into protected areas due to habitat loss. About 60 of those bears live in the northern portion of Jasper National Park, which has about 15 females capable of breeding.

That study created a stir and the province is still attempting to determine if grizzlies should be listed as species at risk. It is estimated Alberta needs a population of 1,000 grizzly bears to be sustainable.

While that study cost the province $2.4 million and is considered to be the most thorough study of grizzly bears in the world, Jasper National Park’s study is not nearly as big. It’s cost are estimated to be in the thousands. Relying on camera and eyewitness data isn’t perfect, as there are chances the same bear could be counted twice, however it is still effective, according to Parks Canada officials.

“We don’t have a reason to think grizzly bear populations are dropping in the park,” said Ecosystems science co-ordinator John Wilmshurst.

The park is also monitoring amphibian and bird species this year, and has received special funding for caribou monitoring. There aren’t enough funds to pay for a DNA study of the complete park, Wilmshurst said. Many of the cameras are on loan from other studies.

While grizzly numbers are believed to be stable in Jasper National Park, there is still reason for concern.

Grizzly bears don’t prefer mountainous environments, but have been pushed there due to habitat loss. If this continues, Wilmshurst says it could be the end of grizzly bears in Alberta. 

“If grizzly bears are restricted to parks, that number would vanish to zero,” Wilmshurst said.

The fate of grizzly bears is a provincial decision, Wilmshurst said, as the government debates whether or not to list grizzly bears as a species at risk.

Those interested in bear activity can check the Jasper National Park bear report on the web.