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camera does not approach or deal with the debris pile in any way.
Genetic Sample Collection
Upon arrival at a remote camera trap for servicing or de-install, field teams should walk in front of the
camera to trigger it and capture an index photo which will note exact time of arrival and thus inform the
exact survey period the trap was operational. Before disassembling the site, crews should review all the
images stored on the memory card of the camera. For remote cameras without an image viewing
function, the card can be viewed by inserting it into a standard digital camera. If the review of images
reveals a potential grizzly bear has visited the site and its behavior included rubbing on the debris pile or
nearby trees, it may be possible to collect hairs from the animal.
Carefully inspect the areas the animal rubbed (as seen in the photographs). Scan the location from
several different angles as hairs may pop out more clearly depending on lighting and background. Every
effort should be made not to touch the hairs directly as this can contaminate them for DNA analysis.
Ideally a sterilized tweezers would be used to extract the hair(s). Deposit the hairs in a coin envelop
(included in field kits provided at trainings). Label the container clearly with the location, date,
coordinates, and your name (observer). Fill out a specimen collection datasheet.
Prevent contamination of genetic samples by using a clean pair of Nitrile gloves for each sample. At any
given camera station, you will not know whether the hair or scat samples you find are from a single
species or a single individual. Do not place samples in plastic bags or other plastic containers. Plastic
traps moisture which will ruin the samples; thus, the genetics lab will not be able to extract DNA from
the samples. Completely label all samples with the date, GPS coordinates, name of camera station, where
the sample was found, and collector (refer to data sheet on the left for additional details). When you
return from the field, check samples to make sure they are labeled properly and contact Conservation
Northwest for instructions for delivering the material to our project partners for analysis.
Photographs of potential tracks and signs
During scouting, installation and removal of remote camera traps document any tracks and signs that
appear to have been left by grizzly bears. Follow the guidelines laid out in the Remote Camera Trap
Installation and Servicing Protocol for this. Appendix 2 of this document provides basic guidelines for
track identification and others signs to look for in the field.
Relocation of camera trap
Each camera team will be assigned two locations to monitor over the course of the summer. After
deconstructing the first traps, the team will travel to a second location and redeploy their camera traps in
the second target location, following all the same guidelines for the initial installation of the season.
