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The masking ability of Nature: temporary 'scars' left during grizzly bear denning

7/10/2019

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Picture
Photo: Fairly recent collapse of a grizzly bear den. It is not common for dens lack structural integrity several years after bears vacate during spring emergence.
​Unlike humans, the homes or dens grizzly bears construct, are only temporary. Snow, wind, rain often times will consume dens over the years, making them hardly noticeable to the naked eye; nature restores and repairs itself for those who live in it, and respect it. Nature mask’s the small and minor scars in which bears create and call their homes.
 
Rarely do bears use the same den twice, but typically they will den around the same general area. Females typically den in much closer proximity to their dens from previous years on average than their male counterparts, which sometimes den close or extremely far away from previous annual den locations (there is variability).
Picture
Photo: Looking at this area, you would never guess that a bear once denned here. However, nearly 26 years ago, this area is where a grizzly denned for the winter. Very little remains as sign other than several scraped trees.
Picture
Photo: Similarly, another area which yields very little evidence or sign that a bear once denned here. Nature has masked a once present scar created by the great bear; this site being 26 years old.
Picture
Photo: Unlike the previous den sites, the den in this area from nearly 27 years ago actually compromised the integrity of the root structure of this tree. Over time, this once present den site has collected natural debris.
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    Tyler Brasington is a native born and raised Pennsylvanian, yet proud current Wisconsin resident. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a B.S. in Environmental Science. Currently, Tyler is pursuing his masters in Natural Resources with the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He has worked in Yellowstone National Park under the guidance and supervision of Dr. George Clokey and Dr. Jim Halfpenny. 

    ​Tyler is a current member of the International Association for Bear Research and Management, The Wildlife Society, and Polar Bears International.

    Research and academic work has focused on different aspects of grizzly bear ecology and behavior. Ongoing research: spatial ecology and identification of females with cubs, and integrated approaches to monitoring grizzlies  in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Side projects include: selected life histories of park bears, bear viewing etiquette and responses. 


    Currently Tyler has worked as a Park Ranger with the Bear Management Office in Grand Teton National Park (GTNP). He previously worked as a Biological Science Technician with the US Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center and as a Biological Science Technician (Fisheries/AIS) in GTNP, and served as a volunteer, assisting the Bear Management Office in Yellowstone National Park.

    Disclaimer: The information and views expressed on this page do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Interior, US Geological Survey, National Park Service or the United States Government.
    The Greater Yellowstone Grizzly Project
    www.yellowstonegrizzlyproject.org

    © 2021 Tyler Brasington

    All rights reserved. No portion of this website may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, or appropriate authors, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.
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  • Welcome
  • Home
  • About
  • Submit sightings
  • Family Tracker
  • Publications & Research
  • Natural Life History
  • Cementum Age Determination for Grizzly Bears
  • Nutrition & Diet
  • Radio Telemetry and Wildlife Tracking
  • Chemical Immobilization and Wildlife Handling
  • Infectious Disease in Bears
  • Effects of Wildfire on Grizzly Bears: Yellowstone 1988
  • Mortality Database
  • Photo gallery
  • Contact