1952 Wild Animal Census, Glacier National Park

1951 WILD ANIMAL CENSUS GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

A. D. Cannavina, Assistant Chief Ranger

An annual census of wild animals in Glacier National Park is made by park rangers. The census of ungulates (deer, elk and moose) is made during the winter when snow is deep and the animals are more or less concentrated on their winter range. Other animals are counted in the spring and during the summer and fall. The data are used to determine population trends which may be affected by weather conditions, disease, starvation, over-populations, etc. When abnormal conditions exist, protective measures may be taken in an effort to keep the species in normal numbers in relation to the carrying capacity of their range and thus insure their perpetuation.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WILDLIFE POLICY: The policy is in keeping with the Act of August 25, 1916 which provides that the fundamental purpose of the national parks, monuments and reservations is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations. The wildlife policy provides that every species shall be left to carry on its struggle for existence unaided, as being to its greatest ultimate good, unless there is real cause to believe that it will perish if unassisted.

Glacier National Park has perhaps the greatest variety of wildlife of any park service area. Some of the most common species of mammals and a few of the uncommon species are listed.

BADGER, MONTANA. Found generally throughout the park except in the Waterton Valley.

BEAR, ROCKY MOUNTAIN BLACK. The actual count was 186 and 415 are estimated. They are present in all sections of the park. This is a sub-species of the American Black Bear. The cinnamon-colored or brown bears seen in the park are a color phase of the black bear.

BEAR, YELLOWSTONE GRIZZLY. 120 estimated. Thirty-eight were counted in widely scattered sections of the park. Usually found in the high back country and seldom seen by the average park visitor.

BEAVER. Common and well distributed throughout the park. Their dams and cuttings can be seen in almost any main drainage.

BIGHORN, ROCKY MTN. 170 estimated. The actual count was 67. Shows some decrease in numbers over the past few years, due mainly to successive severe winters. May be frequently seen on Mt. Altyn in the Many Glacier Valley and in the more rugged sections of the park, especially at high elevations during the summer. Fairly well distributed especially on the east side of the Continental Divide.

COUGAR, ROCKY MTN. Five were counted and twenty are estimated for the park. Very wide-ranging animals, occurring in limited numbers throughout the park. Tracks are occasionally seen in winter but the animal itself is rarely observed.

COYOTE, MOUNTAIN. Common throughout the park. On decrease the last few years probably due to extensive poisoning just outside the park boundary.

DEER, ROCKY MTN. MULE. 810 estimated. 374 counted. More common in the high country. Commonly called Black-tailed deer.

DEER, WHITE-TAILED. 490 estimated. 302 were counted. The most commonly seen deer on the western slopes of the Continental Divide. A series of severe winters has caused their population to be reduced considerably over the past five years.

ELK, ROCKY MTN. 2,320 estimated with a count of 1,630. Management methods such as salting outside the park and extended hunting seasons outside the park have contributed to a reduction of about 970 animals since the 1947 count. Generally distributed throughout the park in the summer. Migrate into and out of the park between seasons.

GOAT, MONTANA MTN. 890 estimated with a count of 264. Common in high rough country. Frequently seen in natural salt lick along Highway No. 2 between Java and Walton Ranger Station. May be seen on Mt. Cannon in early spring and during the summer at Sperry Chalets and Gunsight Pass. Occasionally seen on the mountains in the vicinity of Two Medicine Chalets and Many Glacier Hotel, also Logan Pass.

LYNX, CANADA. Not common. Tracks seen occasionally in the winter on both sides of the Continental Divide.

MARTEN, SELKIRK. Common. Tracks seen generally throughout the park during the winter patrols. Frequent the timbered ridges and heavy forested areas. Occasionally visit outlying ranger stations.

MINK, WESTERN. Fairly common along most of the streams and lake shores.

MOOSE, SHIRAS. 135 estimated with a count of 72. Largely limited to the west side of the park. May be seen around beaver dams and shallow lakes. Fairly common in the lower valleys of the west side and in Waterton Valley. Mud Lake, Howe Lake, John's Lake, Lincoln Lake and Kootenai Lake are places where moose are commonly seen.

MUSKRAT, ROCKY MTN. Common in most beaver dams and lakes.

OTTER, CANADA. Uncommon. Occasionally seen along streams and lakes.

SQUIRREL, RICHARDSON PINE. Common in forested areas. Commonly called Red squirrel, Pine squirrel, or chickaree. Cannot be mistaken upon hearing his incessant chatter when alarmed.

WOLF, NORTHERN ROCKY MTN. 8 estimated, 5 counted. A large black female weighing 130 lbs. and measuring 34" in height at the shoulders, was shot on the North Fork of the Flathead River by a park ranger in 1950 when it was attempting to kill livestock.

WOLVERINE. Rare everywhere. Largest of the weasel family. Four were actually counted in the park.