David L. Garshelis

Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology
Bear Project Leader, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Mailing address: MN DNR, 1201 E Hwy 2, Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Phone: 218-327-4432
Fax: 218-327-4263
E-mail: dave.garshelis@dnr.state.mn.us
Ph. D. University of Minnesota

Fields of Interest

Monitoring and managing/conserving large mammal populations

Research

My research during the past decade has and continues to involve bears and sea otters, although my interests are not limited to these species. I am broadly interested in developing methods for monitoring population status (size, trends, limiting factors), implementing such monitoring programs, and utilizing results to develop management or conservation strategies. As a research biologist for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, I have been able to directly apply the population monitoring approaches for black bears that were developed through my research, and then utilize the results to effect appropriate management strategies. My most recent completed studies outside Minnesota involved an assessment of the effects of the Exxon Valdez oil spill on sea otters, which included recommendations for population monitoring in the event of another spill, and a project investigating factors limiting sloth bears in Nepal, which produced a conservation action plan. I am particularly interested in continuing similar investigations of other species of bears, as well as other little-known carnivores.

Selected Publications

  • Garshelis, D.L., H. Wang, D. Wang,  X. Zhu,  S., Li, and W. J. McShea.  2008.  Do revised giant panda population estimates aid in their conservation? Ursus: In press.
  • Garshelis, D.L., and K.V. Noyce.  2008.  Seeing the world through the nose of a bear –– Diversity of foods fosters behavioral and demographic stability.  Pages 139–163 in T. Fulbright and D. Hewitt, editors, Frontiers in Wildlife Science: Linking  Ecological Theory and Management Applications.  CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. 
  • Steinmetz, R. and D. L. Garshelis.  2008. Distinguishing Asiatic black bears and sun bears by their claw marks on climbed trees.  Journal of Wildlife Management 72: 814-821.
  • Garshelis, D.L.  2008.  Assessing the status of the world’s bears – what can we tell from the trade in bear parts?  Pages 6–20 in D. Williamson, editor. Fourth International Symposium on the Trade in Bear Parts.  TRAFFIC East Asia-Japan, Tokyo.
  • Garshelis, D.L., and K.V. Noyce.  2006. Discerning biases in a large-scale population estimate for black bears.  Journal of Wildlife Management 70: 1634-1643