Overall Goals

Phase II: Kamchatka Grizzly Bear Research Project of Maureen Enns and Charles Russell

2003 Research Goals

This, our 8thyear, is shaping up to be a very rewarding final year of our co-existence study, however, to be so is dependent on Biscuit successfully birthing and raising her first set of cubs. We will soon be there to see how everything is progressing.

As so often before, dire predictions are being made as to how Biscuit's response to us might change when she has cubs; that she will become protective to the point of being dangerous for us to ever be near. Our guess is that she will present her cubs to us with great pride and that there will be little, if any difference in the very reliable trust that we began to develop when she was a very small cub herself.

Overall Goals & Future Applications of Research

· This summer completes our last year of intensive field research at Kambalnoe Lake. Prove that mutual friendship is sustainable with Biscuit and her cubs.
· Our legacy in Kamchatka - Help establish sustainable conservation for Kamchatka bears, wild salmon and their habit. Continue support for the grizzly bear and salmon poaching control program for the South Kamchatka Sanctuary and the Milkova Region.
· Bear Guide Training Program - Continue existing support of establishment of certified guide training program in Kamchatka with the assistance of Fedia Farbarov.
· Locate an area to apply aspects of our research in Western Canada (to include the West Coast of BC, the interior of BC and the foothills of Alberta)
· Find a partner to produce and market a light-weight electric fence unit to control bear movement. All profits to go to the continued conservation of grizzly bears and their habitat.
· Establish educational tools to utilize the Kamchatka slide collection.
· Explore the creation of a digital book in collaboration with selected university libraries.

-Charlie and Maureen