Post by warsaw on Dec 17, 2014 13:14:40 GMT -9
Pioneer of Kodiak Brown Bear Biology Passes Away at Age 89
Refuge News,Wildlife
October 8, 2014 by National Wildlife Refuge Association
A pioneer of capturing and tracking bears, a wildlife enthusiast, and a force to be reckoned with, Will Troyer passed away September 21 at the age of 89 in Alaska.
Troyer lived life to the fullest, as they like to say. Not one to shy away from adventure, Troyer reportedly escaped death three times, and that doesn’t include his close calls with bears. One time he went over a waterfall in a raft, and the other two times were crashes in small planes; in one crash he had to be cut out of the wreckage.
Troyer conducting a swan nest survey at Kenai National Wildlife Refuge | USFWS
Troyer conducting a swan nest survey at Kenai National Wildlife Refuge | USFWS
Troyer feared nothing, which is probably why he decided to become one of the first to capture and trap Kodiak brown bears in Alaska. Before 1955 when Troyer began tracking the bears, very little was known about them.
As refuge manager of Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, Troyer made it his mission to learn more about these great bears, which can weigh over 1,400 pounds. Troyer’s first method was to use ether to subdue the bears. He and his team quickly learned that ether worked better on humans than bears, and had to be careful not to inhale too much to avoid passing out before the bear. After a few close encounters, the team decided to try an alternative method – leg-hold traps.
The first few times they lassoed the animals, tied them down, and anesthetized them, they were able to successfully take measurements and release the bears to go on their way. It wasn’t until they had a run-in with a bear cub and its momma that Troyer decided there might be a better method. Troyer’s trial and error methods and work became the foundation for future bear and other wildlife capture techniques around North America.
Troyer and his airplane that he flew and landed onto Surprise Mountain in Kenai National Wildlife Refuge | USFWS
Troyer and his airplane that he flew and landed onto Surprise Mountain in Kenai National Wildlife Refuge | USFWS
Eventually, Troyer moved on to become manager of Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, where he initiated the Swan Lake and Swanson canoe trails that are now nationally recognized by canoeing enthusiasts. After leaving the Refuge System, Troyer continued his work with bears for the National Park Service. He retired in 1981, but didn’t slow down a bit. He spent his time writing and consulting, spending nearly every day outdoors – always observing.
Troyer received the prestigious Olaus Murie Award from the Alaska Conservation Foundation in 1987 for his life’s work in wildlife conservation. Throughout his career, he also published three books: From Dawn to Dusk: Memoirs of an Amish/Mennonite Farm Boy; Into Brown Bear Country; and Bear Wrangler: Memoirs of an Alaska Pioneer Biologist.
Kevin Painter, a Service regional environmental education specialist in Alaska, says Troyer was “ahead of his time, leading the way with innovative ideas and plans of action from wildlife research to visitor services. He dedicated his life’s work to being a good steward of the people’s lands. He was role model for many in Alaska.”
For more information, see the article in Alaska Dispatch News, and Refuge Update.
refugeassociation.org/2014/10/pioneer-of-kodiak-brown-bear-biology-passes-away-at-age-89/
Refuge News,Wildlife
October 8, 2014 by National Wildlife Refuge Association
A pioneer of capturing and tracking bears, a wildlife enthusiast, and a force to be reckoned with, Will Troyer passed away September 21 at the age of 89 in Alaska.
Troyer lived life to the fullest, as they like to say. Not one to shy away from adventure, Troyer reportedly escaped death three times, and that doesn’t include his close calls with bears. One time he went over a waterfall in a raft, and the other two times were crashes in small planes; in one crash he had to be cut out of the wreckage.
Troyer conducting a swan nest survey at Kenai National Wildlife Refuge | USFWS
Troyer conducting a swan nest survey at Kenai National Wildlife Refuge | USFWS
Troyer feared nothing, which is probably why he decided to become one of the first to capture and trap Kodiak brown bears in Alaska. Before 1955 when Troyer began tracking the bears, very little was known about them.
As refuge manager of Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, Troyer made it his mission to learn more about these great bears, which can weigh over 1,400 pounds. Troyer’s first method was to use ether to subdue the bears. He and his team quickly learned that ether worked better on humans than bears, and had to be careful not to inhale too much to avoid passing out before the bear. After a few close encounters, the team decided to try an alternative method – leg-hold traps.
The first few times they lassoed the animals, tied them down, and anesthetized them, they were able to successfully take measurements and release the bears to go on their way. It wasn’t until they had a run-in with a bear cub and its momma that Troyer decided there might be a better method. Troyer’s trial and error methods and work became the foundation for future bear and other wildlife capture techniques around North America.
Troyer and his airplane that he flew and landed onto Surprise Mountain in Kenai National Wildlife Refuge | USFWS
Troyer and his airplane that he flew and landed onto Surprise Mountain in Kenai National Wildlife Refuge | USFWS
Eventually, Troyer moved on to become manager of Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, where he initiated the Swan Lake and Swanson canoe trails that are now nationally recognized by canoeing enthusiasts. After leaving the Refuge System, Troyer continued his work with bears for the National Park Service. He retired in 1981, but didn’t slow down a bit. He spent his time writing and consulting, spending nearly every day outdoors – always observing.
Troyer received the prestigious Olaus Murie Award from the Alaska Conservation Foundation in 1987 for his life’s work in wildlife conservation. Throughout his career, he also published three books: From Dawn to Dusk: Memoirs of an Amish/Mennonite Farm Boy; Into Brown Bear Country; and Bear Wrangler: Memoirs of an Alaska Pioneer Biologist.
Kevin Painter, a Service regional environmental education specialist in Alaska, says Troyer was “ahead of his time, leading the way with innovative ideas and plans of action from wildlife research to visitor services. He dedicated his life’s work to being a good steward of the people’s lands. He was role model for many in Alaska.”
For more information, see the article in Alaska Dispatch News, and Refuge Update.
refugeassociation.org/2014/10/pioneer-of-kodiak-brown-bear-biology-passes-away-at-age-89/