First description of a mummified Middle Holocene brown bear from the New Siberian Islands, Russia
The brown bear (Ursus arctos L., 1758) is a widespread bear species inhabiting the forest zone of Eurasia, including the Republic of Yakutia. The association with forest habitats explains why the Pleistocene findings of U. arctos fossils are rare in the northern part of Eastern Siberia, where open steppe-tundra and steppefied landscapes prevailed during the […]
A case report: Investigation and findings of a fatal bear attack in Slovakia
In recent years, Slovakia’s brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos) population has expanded, accompanied by increased injuries, public fear of bear attacks, and the first bear-related fatality in recent decades. From 2000 to 2015, 54 brown bear attacks on humans were recorded in Slovakia with no fatalities. The authors report on a fatal bear attack from […]
Spectacled bears surrounded by gold mines in the Serranía de San Lucas, Colombia
The spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus) is one of the most threatened large mammals in Latin America. Using camera traps from 2021 to 2022, we sought to investigate the status of the species in the Serranía de San Lucas (San Lucas), an isolated and unprotected mountain range in northern Colombia. We calculated a relative abundance index […]
Using camera traps to assess body condition of brown bears in Hokkaido
Assessing the seasonal changes in body condition (BC) of animals is important for understanding their reproduction and survival, as well as human-animal interaction. Visual or photographic assessment of BC has, however, been limited to species in open habitats or to specific times and locations. To noninvasively assess the seasonal changes in the entire local population […]
Dietary habits of Asiatic black bear in Bajaur Agency, Pakistan
Relatively little is known about the nutritional ecology of omnivorous Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) in Pakistan. The species is categorized as ‘Vulnerable’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources and its population is reportedly declining in its range, mainly as a result of conflict with humans. Although the black bear […]
Functional responses of giant panda gut microbiota to high-fiber diets
Responses of diverse gut microbiota affect the host’s nutrient metabolism and disease immunity. However, giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) have a low diversity of gut microbiota, and the reasons for this low diversity and its impact are poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of diet on the diversity of gut microbiota […]
American black bear cub rehabilitation and release: Jurisdictional practices across North America
Rehabilitation and release back to the wild of orphaned American black bear (Ursus americanus) cubs is a wildlife management option used across North America. We reviewed the literature and surveyed wildlife managers and biologists within North America from August 2022 through March 2023 to gather information on their policies and practices regarding rehabilitation and release […]
First sighting of a sloth bear in a decade in Shuklaphanta National Park, Nepal
Sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) are listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of threatened species with a global population estimate of
Bed-site selection of Asiatic black bears in the Central Alps, Japan
Although sleeping is essential for animals, little is known about the characteristics of Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) bed sites (resting sites). We studied bed-site selection of Asiatic black bears in the Central Alps, Japan, 2021-2022, by monitoring 12 GPS-collared bears and examining 56 bed sites. We assessed horizontal visibility, canopy openness, and dominant vegetation […]
Variation in density of grizzly bears and American black bears in relation to habitat covariates and co-occurrence in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
American black (Ursus americanus) and grizzly bears (U. arctos) are sympatric throughout much of the grizzly bear’s range, but information on how they share the landscape is lacking because distribution usually is not estimated simultaneously for both species. Here we analyze DNA data from noninvasively collected hair (using hair snags and rub trees) in a […]
