SCIENCE: MU researchers to study the status of black bears in Missouri

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Jun 14, 2007, 1:53:37 PM6/14/07

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MU researchers to study the status of black bears in Missouri
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Black bears were once considered almost extinct in the state

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia are
studying the status of black bears in Missouri. Black bears were
abundant in the state during the 18th and 19th centuries, but have
been considered almost extinct in Missouri since the late 19th
century. The results of the MU study will be used by the Missouri
Department of Conservation to help manage Missouri's black bear
population.

The researchers - Kaitlyn Faries, a senior biology and chemistry
major, and Lori Eggert, assistant professor of biological science in
the College of Arts and Science - will use a non-invasive sampling
technique called "hair snares," barbed wires that remove a few of the
bears' hairs without harming the bears themselves. After collecting
hair samples this summer, they will extract DNA from the hair
follicles and use that DNA to estimate the number of bears, the gender
ratio of male to female bears, where the bears are migrating from and
if they are reproducing.

"This study is a good example of the use of cutting-edge molecular
biology in the management of Missouri's wildlife," Eggert said. "We're
pleased to work with the Missouri Department of Conservation to
generate the data needed to better understand and effectively manage
the black bear population."

Dave Hamilton, a resource scientist at the Missouri Department of
Conservation, said he believes there are approximately 300 black bears
in Missouri, but only a few females. This study will give the Missouri
Department of Conservation a better understanding of the population.

"This study is important to us because we need to have a better idea
about the nature of the bear population in Missouri," Hamilton said.
"We get lots of questions from citizens and media this time of year
because bears are active and get into trouble, and we try to reassure
the public that we are prepared to handle nuisance bears and protect
their property. This pilot study should help us ask better research
questions down the road. We don't know if we have a self-sustaining
population in Missouri or if we simply have a lot of dispersing males
coming from Arkansas. We need to investigate the genetic interchange
between the two populations to understand where we are in the growth
state of the population."

The study is expected to continue for two to three years.

"I am really excited to be working on this project because it will be
a fantastic learning experience for me. MU really encourages
undergraduate participation in research, and I have been fortunate to
receive support from the College of Arts and Science, as well as the
Life Sciences Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program to conduct
this research," Faries said.