Grizzly researcher Kate Kendall: “Bear History 101”

Early in her career, research scientist Kate Kendall saw the need for accurately identifying bear populations. She got granular about it, looking to their fur, and orchestrated a five-year operation to collect some 34,000 bear hair samples.
After DNA testing, it was discovered that the previous best estimate for individual grizzlies was off by half. Kendall’s project found that the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem was home to 765 grizzlies and that was 15 years ago.

Kendall, now retired in Kalispell after decades working for the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service, will discuss her favorite research topic in detailing how far grizzlies have come, their current situation, and what their future might hold as they face development pressures, delisting, and other challenges. She’ll also tell about some of the amusing things wildlife do when people aren’t around.