Kate Field and Chris Darimont publish new research in the Canadian Journal of Zoology
January 22, 2025

A new study led by University of Victoria Geography researcher Kate Field and professor Chris Darimont, in collaboration with the Nuxalk Nation and BC Parks, suggests that grizzly bears visiting ecotourism areas along B.C.’s Atnarko River are less likely to encounter conflicts with humans in downstream communities. The research, recently published in the Canadian Journal of Zoology, challenges the notion that ecotourism increases bear-human conflict by making bears more accustomed to people.
The study, conducted in the Bella Coola Valley, uses hair sampling techniques—described by Field as “DNA libraries”—to identify 118 grizzlies between 2019 and 2021. Of the 34 bears that visited ecotourism sites, only one was later involved in a conflict with humans. In contrast, 29 bears involved in conflicts were not detected in ecotourism areas. Statistical modeling confirmed that bears frequenting ecotourism zones were less likely to come into conflict than predicted by chance.
The findings suggest that grizzly bears tolerant of ecotourism aren't necessarily more prone to human conflict. Instead, the study highlights other human-related factors—such as fruit trees and salmon-cleaning stations—as potential attractants drawing bears into populated areas.
Jason Moody, a co-author of the paper who works with the Nuxalk Nation’s fisheries and wildlife program, emphasized the importance of salmon availability in reducing bear conflicts, noting that years with healthy salmon runs see significantly fewer bear encounters in communities.
This research underscores the need to protect salmon habitats to minimize bear-human interactions. The study contributes to broader efforts to promote coexistence between humans and wildlife in the Great Bear Rainforest.
A grizzly bear along the shores of the Atnarko River (Emina Ida, Raincoast Organization)
To learn more about Field and Darimont's research, you can read the full publication on the Journal of Canadian Zoology's website, or view summaries from the below news sources:
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