Gradaute Student: Todd Rigney
Todd is currently empolyed as a lab scientist at the University of Houston
Our goal is to try and estimate the population size of the black bears in the northwest portion of the lower peninsula of Michigan.
We are using hair pulls to non-invasively collect DNA samples from the bears. These samples serve as mark-recapture events and allow
us to estimate the population size of this region using open population estimators. These population estimates will then be compared to
population estimates from hair snare mark-recapture efforts across the state to evaluate the results of open population models. We are also
evaluating the best time of year to maximize recaptures which will minimize the confidence intervals about our population estimate. Lastly, we
are trying to capture as many cubs as possible to determine survival, emigration, and immigration rates for this region.
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Funding provided by
Central Michigan University,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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