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Performance of helicopter-based biopsy darting of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) on the spring sea ice

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Abstract

For over 40 years, biopsy darting has been increasingly used to obtain DNA and other samples from cetaceans; however, its application to other species is more recent. We assessed the performance of helicopter-based biopsy darting of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) on the spring sea ice. Our aim was to provide an overview and evaluation of our protocols for others considering helicopter-based biopsy darting. We shot 55 biopsy darts at 46 polar bears. Most darts (n = 51; 93%) hit the bear, but four of these were likely glancing shots that did not collect a biopsy sample. Mean chase time by the helicopter was short (\(\overline x\) = 23 s; range = 8–60 s), but chase time was significantly greater for bears with cubs than those without. There was no significant difference in chase time between bears that ran from the helicopter and those that charged it, but missed shots occurred more frequently for bears initially charging the aircraft, necessitating a second shot. We observed minor reactions (flinching or glancing backward) by 24% of the bears to the dart itself; however, all bears had a flight or fight response to the helicopter. All but one dart was retrieved. The dart success rate—the percentage of darts that hit the bear and collected a tissue (skin) sample—was 88%. However, only 53% collected more than a minimal amount of fat. All of the skin samples collected yielded DNA. Our study, along with the experiences of others, demonstrates that biopsy darting of polar bears has potential for genetic tagging of individuals for capture-mark-recapture studies. While we provide further information on equipment, protocols, and performance of helicopter-based biopsy darting, work remains to improve equipment and protocols, and better assess the impacts to affected individuals. We encourage further research on biopsy darting terrestrial mammals to spur technological advancements and guide the development of best practices.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the Inuvialuit-Inupiat Polar Bear Joint Commission for encouraging this study in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, as well as providing advice and feedback on the design and results of our work, particularly J Lucas Jr., DC Gordon, and E Pokiak. L Emaghok, D Gordon Jr, and J Nuyaviak are thanked for participating in our darting operations and teaching us about polar bears. We are indebted to M Dyck and S Atkinson for providing us with much-needed guidance on darting polar bears at the outset of our project. We also thank T Atwood, N Lunn, R Mulders, J Pisapio, G Szor, and J Ware for sharing their experiences biopsy darting polar bears. C Lennie, B Healy, and Z Gyorfi are thanked for safe piloting of their helicopters. J Hampton, four anonymous reviewers, and the handling editor kindly provided comments that improved our manuscript.

Funding

Support for this work was provided by the Inuvialuit Game Council, Wildlife Management Advisory Council (NWT), Wildlife Management Advisory Council (North Slope), Aklavik Hunters and Trappers Committee, Tuktoyaktuk Hunters and Trappers Committee, Government of Yukon, and Government of Northwest Territories.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environment, Government of Yukon, Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada

    Thomas S. Jung

  2. Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

    Thomas S. Jung

  3. Department of Environment, Government of Yukon, Dawson City, Yukon, Canada

    Michael J. Suitor

  4. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Government of Northwest Territories, Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada

    Steve Baryluk

Authors
  1. Thomas S. Jung
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  2. Michael J. Suitor
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  3. Steve Baryluk
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Contributions

TSJ conceived the study, collected and analyzed the data, wrote the first draft, and managed revisions. MJS and SB collected the data, contributed to the first draft, and secured funding.

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Correspondence to Thomas S. Jung.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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This paper is dedicated to the memory of pilot Chris Lennie (deceased), whom we had the privilege of doing this work with. Working with polar bears in his Indigenous settlement lands was a dream of his come true.

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Jung, T.S., Suitor, M.J. & Baryluk, S. Performance of helicopter-based biopsy darting of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) on the spring sea ice. Eur J Wildl Res 67, 106 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-021-01550-x

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