About This Project

Lost Trail Wildlife Refuge is a 7,885 acre park in northwest Montana. It has abundant wildlife including grizzly bears, cougars, and even wolverines. I'm planning on doing a science fair project on how the Lost trail wolf population is doing. To do that, I'll need multiple trail cameras with each costing around $80. I believe my research will be very valuable to park rangers and even ecologists.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

I've always wanted to study wildlife (particularly elephants) and I love being a part of the science fair. I'd like to know which animals migrate, hibernate, or brave the harsh Montana winters.

What is the significance of this project?

Recent research has shown that grizzly bears and wolverines migrate through the refuge nocturnally. Wildlife biologists working in Glacier National Park have fitted satellite tags to wolverines and grizzly bears and cataloged their movements through Lost Trail Wildlife Refuge. This is a further attempt to document this behavior and more specifically track these animals' movements. I'm also hoping to document the presence and habits of the Canadian Lynx, a Federal Species of Concern.

What are the goals of the project?

My goal is to get accurate information regarding the incidence of animals passing my cameras, set on particular routes, over a period of time in Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge, located in Marion, MT. Another goal I have is to successfully identify some animals as individuals. Documenting with photographs will enable me to see variations in antler shape, fur color, gender, size, age, etc.