Grizzly Bear Q+A

The Summit Series Presented by Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations is a 5-week series that we for our 2016 event schedule. The program will take place every Saturday at the Summit Lodge from 1pm-3pm until June 18.

*June 11 timing changed to 12:30pm-2:30pm for special event.

Meet Steve Rochetta, the facilitator for Saturday, June 11th. Steve is a District Biologist of the Sea to Sky Natural Resource District who shares with us his fascination of working with Grizzly Bears and what his typical Monday morning looks like. 

Most fascinating characteristic of a GB?

Strength, speed and resilience.

Typical Monday?

During the field season (April to Dec) I start my day at 5:00am. Tasks include pouring some smelly bait and heading for the field to complete research on grizzly bears, sometimes from a truck or sometimes from a helicopter to remote areas.  I return back at 19:00-21:00h.

Where do grizzlies live?

This is a hard one to answer! They live everywhere there is food and closer than most people think. They don’t like human activity much and there can be a huge overlap to where GB are and where humans are. For example, in Spring after emergence from the den they drop to the floodplain (where there is food) and people recreate on the floodplain hence the overlap.

Most memorable work experience?

I would have to say interacting with the magnificent Grizzly bears. The more time I spend with them, the more fascinating they become.