OURS project, instructions for sampling:

1. Download the iNaturalist app, create an account, and join our project: Operation Ursus Research using Scat.

2. Using the iNaturalist app, create an observation and take a picture of the bear scat and enter the required information. For the “Species” add Grizzly bear, in “Notes” detail the content of the scat, for “Location visibility” choose Obscure. Then share the observation.

3. Put on one glove on the hand that will sample the bear scat, as bears may have parasites that can make you sick, and to avoid contaminating the sample with your own or other DNA.

4. With your gloved hand, take 1 vial out of the sampling kit and loosen the lid.

5. With your gloved hand, take 1 wooden stick out of the sampling kit and scoop between 0.2g to 0.5g of scat from the outer layer, preferably out of direct sunlight(roughly the size of a pinky fingernail).

6. Transfer the scat sample into the vial containing silica beads and close the lid.

7. Gently tip the vial upside down a couple of times to make sure plenty of silica beads surround the scat sample.

8. Leave the biodegradable wooden stick upright in the middle of the scat indicating to others that it has been sampled.

9. Fill out the required information on the vial label (linked to your picture on iNaturalist). Please ensure you write the number found on your vial under “Notes” in your observation on the app.

10. Drop off your sample in the appropriate box (Mt Lorne Community Center or by the mailboxes at the Cut off Restaurant) or where you obtained the sampling kit as soon as you can. Please let us know on the OURS Project Facebook page when and where you dropped it off. It is important that the samples are frozen as soon as possible, you do not need to wait until all the vials are full. The fresher the scats the more likely DNA extractions are successful.