Wildlife gets limelight in research

Thu., June 26, 2008

Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

HELENA – Two grizzly bear cubs under the watchful eye of their mother romp through a field and playfully tease a nearby wolf. This remarkable scene was captured by the U.S. Geological Survey as part of a research project into the bear population in northwestern Montana.

It’s one of several intriguing clips recently posted on the agency’s Web site that depict life inside Glacier National Park.

The five-minute video of the bear cubs shows the wolf drawing close several times. At one point, a cub takes a playful swat at the wolf. Other times, the mother bear makes her presence known and “bluff charges” the wolf, stopping short of an attack.

Although seemingly playful, the underlying forces of nature are clear.

“I have no doubt that if the mom was not there and the wolf had the opportunity, it would eat the cub,” said USGS research biologist Kate Kendall.

The video was shot Aug. 10 by an unmanned, sensor-activated camera positioned for Kendall’s research, which produces information used in gauging recovery of grizzly bears in the park.

To view the footage, go to nrmsc.usgs.gov/news/Kendall RemoteCamera.htm

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.