Experiences with a Committee of User Groups Examining Grizzly Bear Restoration in Idaho
A committee established by the Idaho Legislature to oversee the recovery process for the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) in Idaho was able to reach agreement on a procedure to restore this highly controversial species. The results of this agreement led to continued involvement of Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) in the recovery process, […]
Maintaining Viability of Brown Bears along the Southern Fringe of Their Distribution
In North America, threatened brown bears (Ursus arctos) and brown bear recovery are usually viewed as United States’ issues. Most of the southern fringe of brown bear distribution, however, is in Canada; approximately 3,050 km of occupied-unoccupied fringe are in British Columbia and 1,570 km are in Alberta compared to 1,700 km in the lower […]
New Approaches to Citizen Participation in Endangered Species Management: Recovery in the Bitterroot Ecosystem
In the 6 recovery zones identified in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s recovery plan for the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos), the Bitterroot Ecosystem of central Idaho and western Montana is the only one that no longer retains even a remnant grizzly population. With >6 million acres of unoccupied habitat, most of it designated as […]
Status of the Yellowstone Grizzly Bear Population: Has It Recovered, Should It Be Delisted?
The number of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) and the size of their former range within the western states (USA) have declined drastically over the previous 200 years. The downward trend has continued most sharply in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, accelerated by the closing of open-pit garbage dumps in the late 1960s. The closure resulted in […]
The Grizzly Bear Recovery Program: Current Status and Future Considerations
A program to recover the threatened grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) has been underway in the states of Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Washington since 1981. This program involves implementing a recovery plan through interagency cooperation to limit mortality, increase public awareness, manage habitat to assure the security and food necessary for survival, manage bear-human conflicts, […]
Introduction to a Panel Discussion: Recovery of Threatened Grizzly Bear Populations in North America
A panel discussion on recovery of threatened grizzly bear populations in North America was held at the 10th International Conference on Bear Research and Management. Five panelists, representing U.S. and Canadian wildlife agencies and conservation organizations, shared their perspectives on grizzly bear recovery issues.
Adaptation of Blind Brown Bears to a New Environment and Its Residents: Stereotypy and Play as Welfare Indicators
Fourteen European brown bears (Ursus arctos) were confiscated in Turkey in October 1993. Three bears-1 female and 2 males-were blind and showed mainly stereotypies and behavior toward others that was passive, aggressive, or both. These blind bears were transported to the Zoo in the Netherlands and placed in an enclosure with 8 resident wolves and […]
Male-Instigated Break-up of a Family of Black Bears
A free-ranging, human-habituated female black bear (Ursus americanus) accompanied by 3 yearling offspring was visually observed for about 100 hours (Apr-Oct) in the Camp Ripley Military Reservation, central Minnesota. During April-June, the mother played with and suckled the yearlings, although she was not lactating. The duration of suckling bouts by the yearlings was not significantly […]
Food Competition and Grouping Behavior of Orphaned Brown Bear Cubs in Russia
During spring-fall 1985-95, 5 groups of orphaned brown bear cubs (Ursus arctos) were captive-raised in the Central-Forest Biosphere Reserve in Russia. The groups of 2-12 individuals were raised to be released in the wild. We documented the onset of aggressive behavior between cubs. When cubs were 3 to 40-45 days old they were not aggressive […]
Effects of Capture Procedures on Black Bear Activity at an Alaskan Salmon Stream
We examined the effects of capture and handling on fishing activity of black bears (Ursus americanus) at Anan Creek in Southeast Alaska. The bears had no previous experience with capture procedures. One female brown bear, 9 male black bears, and 4 female black bears were captured (trapped or darted), collared, and ear-tagged by Alaska Department […]
