Program will detail bear DNA project

SANDPOINT — Next month, Kinnikinnick Native Plant Society and Sandpoint Parks and Recreation will host a presentation by Don Gay on the Selkirk grizzly bear DNA project. The talk will take place from 9:45-11:30 a.m. on Feb. 23 at Sandpoint Community Hall, 204 S. First Ave.

Since 2015, this project has been collecting grizzly bear hair in the Selkirk Mountains for DNA analysis from scent trees that bears rub on and at sites where they are attracted by a lure. The information is used to determine the minimum number of grizzly bears in the U.S. portion of the Selkirk recovery area and if that number is approaching the numerical goal for recovery. Information collected also yields information on grizzly bear reproduction and gene flow with other recovery areas.

Gay is a retired U.S. Forest Service wildlife biologist. He spent time working on Kootenai, Deschutes, Fremont, and Mount Baker-Snoqualmie national forests. He also served in Africa with the Peace Corps and completed international work with the Forest Service in Mali, Madagascar, and Gabon. He lives in Naples.

Information: NativePlantSociety.org or facebook.com/NativePlantSociety